Dolphins’ Cold Streak Continues: Miami Falls to Packers 30-17 in Freezing Conditions
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa had spoken about how the Miami Dolphins had an opportunity this week to change the narrative suggesting they couldn’t play well in freezing temperatures.
But the Dolphins ultimately came up short in the cold once again, as their three-game winning streak ended with a 30-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night amid light flurries.
The Cold Reality
The Dolphins (5-7) have lost their last 12 regular-season or postseason games in which the temperature at kickoff was 40 degrees (4.4 Celsius) or lower. The reading at Lambeau Field on Thanksgiving was 27 degrees (-2.7 Celsius), with 10 mph winds and a wind chill of 18.
Players’ Take
"We’re definitely not going to use that as an excuse," defensive lineman Calais Campbell said. "I know obviously, with the narratives from years past or whatever, I get it. But today wasn’t that bad."
Packers safety Xavier McKinney believed the weather made a difference.
"Obviously, they’re coming from Miami, it’s hot there, and then when you come here and play in that cold weather, you get affected by it," McKinney said. "So I think it affected everybody on that team."
The Stats
Miami’s most recent victory in a game that began with a temperature of 40 degrees or below was a 34-31 overtime triumph at Buffalo on Dec. 24, 2016. The temperature Thursday was a far cry from what the Dolphins encountered in the wild-card round of the playoffs last year. Miami’s 2023 season ended with a 26-7 loss at Kansas City, where it was minus-4 degrees (-20 Celsius) at kickoff with a wind chill of minus-27.
The Struggle Continues
While the weather didn’t seem to have a direct impact on the Dolphins’ play this time, they weren’t nearly as sharp as they’d been throughout a winning streak that had rejuvenated their playoff hopes. Tagovailoa was 37-of-46 passing for 365 yards and two touchdowns, but he was sacked five times and didn’t get much help.
Conclusion
The Dolphins’ struggles in cold weather have severe implications for their playoff hopes. With no margin for error, they must figure out how to win in cold weather to have any shot at getting back to the playoffs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the Dolphins change their narrative about playing in cold weather?
A: The Dolphins have lost 12 straight games in which the temperature at kickoff was 40 degrees (4.4 Celsius) or lower.
Q: How has the cold weather affected the Dolphins’ play?
A: The weather didn’t seem to have a direct impact on the Dolphins’ play, but they weren’t as sharp as they’d been throughout a winning streak that had rejuvenated their playoff hopes.
Q: What are the Dolphins’ chances of making the playoffs?
A: The Dolphins’ struggles in cold weather have severely damaged their playoff hopes. They must figure out how to win in cold weather to have any shot at getting back to the playoffs.
