The Green Bay Packers travel to Miami and a Christmas Day game against the Dolphins. A loss could well eliminate the 6-8 Packers out of playoff contention. At 8-6, the Dolphins look to snap a three-game losing skid, solidifying their own credentials to earn a berth in the tournament. Miami is a four-point favorite (total at 50), according to BetUS sportsbook NFL odds.
Green Bay Packers vs. Miami Dolphins Odds by BetUS
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | +4½ (-110) | 49½ (-110) | +175 |  |
| Dolphins | -4½ (-110) | 49½ (-110) | -210 | |
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Pack No Wiggle Room
A down year in Green Bay, without a doubt. However, with much uncertainty in the bottom portion of the NFC playoff picture, there’s still a shot (albeit slim) the Packers are able to qualify. Those who quantify such things put it at eight percent.
Green Bay needs to run the table, then needs some teams to lose games.
As it’s been forever, mentioning the Packers begins with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He’s not having a Rodgers-Esque season (3,093 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 10 interceptions) and won’t win a third consecutive MVP award. Rod has thrown interceptions in five-of-seven road games (nine of his 10 seasonal picks). Read into that any way you wish.
Much as its record, Green Bay is middling in the rankings 15th in both offense and defense. and 15th in offense, making them the most average, middle-of-the-pack team in the league. They’ve not played well against good teams, either, though with a win over Dallas and a “close loss” against the Eagles.
Dolphins’ Skid at Three
The Miami Dolphins look good on paper, but lost three games in a row (second time this season). While those games were all on the road against strong opponents in the 49ers, Chargers and Bills, a loss is a loss (of course, of course). Miami had a very winnable game at Buffalo last Saturday, but coughed away a late lead.
The passing game has taken a dip in production, closer to 200 yards per game than the previous standard of 300. Recent woes aside, they’re still potent, ninth in points per game (24.6), and fifth in offense (370.4 yards/game).
Defense isn’t much. Miami is 23rd in yards allowed per game at 357.6. They rank even worse in points allowed per game, 25th (tied) having surrendered 24.6 points/game (same as output on offense). It’s no coincidence Miami’s total point differential this season is one (345-344).
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has 3,238 passing (24 touchdowns, five interceptions), a score-to-pick ratio that’s highest in the league. Tyreek Hill is having an outstanding first season in South Florida (109 receptions, 1,529 yards, seven touchdowns. He’s second in receiving yardage. Jaylen Waddle has 62 receptions (1,117 yards, seven touchdowns).
Hill is listed at 5-2 (+250) to lead the league in receiving yards, as per NFL stat leaders.
Pack and Points
The passing defense of the Packers has been solid, ranking second in the league (185.1 yards allowed/game). That may well keep the Packers in this game, perhaps a difference of a field goal. The Miami Dolphins should win this game, Try them at +200 on the moneyline, but the Packers +4 is our selection. Rodgers and a good pass defense makes it a Christmas close one.
