Keys to the Miami Dolphins 27-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers
Dolphins defense vs. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
Who won: Rodgers
The impact: The Dolphins defense played well overall and put pressure on Rodgers in the second half, once forcing a fumble on a sack by Olivier Vernon, as they took a 24-17 lead. But in his 200th career game, Rodgers led the Packers to a pair of late scoring drives that included a game-winning touchdown pass to Andrew Quarless with three seconds remaining. Rodgers converted a fourth-and-9 pass to Jordy Nelson on the final drive, then fooled the Dolphins defense moments later by faking a spike and throwing for a first down to Davante Adams to set up the winning score.
Dolphins cornerbacks vs. Packers WR Jordy Nelson
Who won: Nelson
The impact: Nelson had a game-high nine catches for 107 yards and had plenty of success against Dolphins’ cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan. Grimes slipped while covering Nelson on a fourth-and-9 play on the Packers game-winning drive allowing Nelson to get open and complete the 18-yard play. Aside from a pass that was overthrown in the corner of the end zone and forced Green Bay to settle for a field goal early in the quarter, Nelson caught nearly every pass Aaron Rodgers threw to him in clutch situations Sunday.
Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill vs. Packers defense
Who won: Tannehill.
The impact: After a horrible first half in which he threw two interceptions, and completed only 8 of 16 attempts, Tannehill improved his play markedly and nearly led the Dolphins to a comeback win. Tannehill completed 12 of 15 passes for 147 yards and threw two touchdown passes in the second half. At one point, he had completed 10 of 11 for 131 yards. On his go-ahead, 5-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace with 9:13 left in the fourth quarter, Tannehill looked poised in the pocket, pump-faking and finding Wallace in traffic for the score. Tannehill also had good timing with leading receiver Jarvis Landry during three touchdown drives in the second half.
This story was originally published October 12, 2014 at 6:43 PM with the headline "Keys to the Miami Dolphins 27-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers."