Miami Dolphins look to get back to winning against the beat up Green Bay Packers
After winning their first two games of the season, the Dolphins have lost two straight and are hoping to come out of their bye week and find a much needed victory, in Green Bay, against a banged up Packers side.
Recent records
The last time these two teams met was all the way back in 2006. Back then, Brett Favre was still the quarterback for Green Bay and the Packers won 34-24.
The Dolphins beat Brett Favre this year in one of their two wins, but he was playing for the Vikings. The Dolphins have yet to get a win against any real opposition, as their wins have come against opponents with a combined 1-8 record.
The Green Bay Packers are 3-2 despite suffering through numerous injuries, as they continue to play tough game in and game out. Their last three games (one win and two losses) have all been decided by three points or less.
How they match up
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy will probably be happy if he can just field a full line-up. Right now, he'll be especially concerned over the status of starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, who has been sidelined with a concussion that he received last week.
Rodgers is the most notable name on a list that includes Ryan Grant, Jermichael Finley, Nick Barnett, Clay Matthews, Ryan Pickett, Donald Lee, Derrick Martin, Al Harris, and Atari Bigby.
AS for the Dolphins, the Green Bay Packers will have to contend with running duo Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams (and their wildcat offence).
The Dolphins special teams was absolutely abysmal in their week four meeting against the New England Patriots, which led to special teams coach John Bonamego's dismissal.
The Miami Dolphins defence has been a bright spot for the team so far this season, as they are ranked seventh overall in the NFL.
The Packers were early season picks to contend for the Super Bowl, but given the damage they've sustained, it seems unlikely. Still, they're optimistic.
"It's one of them seasons, man, where everybody is getting hit, and we just got to bounce back," tight end Jermichael Finley said of his team's injury problems.
"Hopefully at the end of the season it could be a story, you know, about us still being in the Super Bowl. I still got faith in this team."
There's a strong chance that backup quarterback Matt Flynn will make his first start of the season, as Rodgers will have to pass a series of neurological tests before he can be cleared to play. If Flynn gets the start in place of Rodgers, it will level the
playing field substantially, as Green Bay would be huge favorites with a proven winner like Rodgers in the lineup.
Look for the Dolphins to continue to open up their offence and use less and less of the wildcat, while the Packers will likely have to rely more heavily on their ground game.
The Packers will be playing at Lambeau which will give them a huge lift.
Packers win 21-13.
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