Packers Dolphins Preview

The NFL elevator is at the ninth floor of a 16 story building. The Green Bay Packers have a choice, will they push the up or the down button? Halfway through the 2018 campaign, the Packers have muddled their way to a 3-4-1 record. It's been a first half of spotty play on both sides of the ball and most recently, Green Bay has managed to compete for only 45 of the required 60 minutes with crushing fourth quarter mistakes that doomed their chances to spring road upsets against championship level teams in Los Angeles and New England. They have no choice now but to make a prolonged push toward a return to the playoffs over the final eight games beginning with the Miami Dolphins Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field. There's an understandably uncomfortable air on Lombardi Avenue not just from the team's performance so far, but in the way new General Manager Brian Gutekunst is conducting business. Time was, decisions on players would come at the end of a campaign. Is the player happy here? Let's wait and see. Is he worth a next contract? We'll think about it. Is he good enough to help us win? Maybe. Gutekunst rather abruptly answered those questions in the last two weeks by trading Ty Montgomery and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and then by cutting Jermaine Whitehead. The moves have jolted the locker room and scrambled the coaching staff to get new combinations of players ready. If the Packers mistakenly hit the down button, the jolts will become more severe and possibly include not only the locker room, but the coaching staff offices inside the Atrium. They'll press "Up" against Miami and then take the climb one week at a time. The 4-3 Dolphins started fast, winning their first three but then starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill got hurt and they dropped four out of five before rebounding with a snoozy 13-6 victory over the New York Jets at home last week. Statistically, Miami ranks 28th in total offense, 26th in total defense. About the only thing they consistently do well is pick off opposing quarterbacks, leading the league with 15 interceptions. But they'll face a quarterback who rarely gives defensive backs a chance to even touch the football. Let's cast the net and see how the Packers can reel in the Dolphins with a couple of quick keys. THANKS MOM Mother Nature should offer a welcome boost. The first snowfall of the season has arrived and temperatures should barely climb above freezing for the visitors from South Beach. I know Miami Head Coach Adam Gase quipped, "It's only 3 hours", but the Packers home field advantage goes beyond the noisy faithful in the stands. The colder the better. MOM'S ADVICE: FINISH WHAT YOU START I've already mentioned the notorious final quarter mistakes of late but the Packers have struggled all season to finish drives too. They've visited opposing red zones 26 times and have only 14 touchdowns to show for it. About the only positive from the stall-outs is that Mason Crosby has found his groove, making eight of nine field goals (only miss from 55) since the disaster in Detroit. He'd much rather be kicking PAT's. LOOK MA, NO HANDS! A dangerous practice on a bike but worthwhile on a slippery track. Place less trust on a receiver's hands but letting a running back wrap his arms around the ball. Aaron Jones is still averaging a robust six yards a carry. Mike McCarthy can't simply pay lip service to the running game even with a hall of fame quarterback. The more the Packers run, the more likely it will draw safeties into the box. That will create more space in the secondary for Davante Adams to work through double teams, allow Jimmy Graham to find seams or Marquez Valdes-Scantling to sprint behind the last defender. THE MOTHER OF MUST WINS There are nine teams with better records than the Packers in the NFC which leaves them precious little margin for error. It might take a run of seven out of the last 8 to secure a spot among the top six for the post-season. A Wild Card spot is a reach but the NFC North title is still within sight, especially with games against the two teams in front of you remaining. All that becomes moot if the Packers stumble against an average team from South Florida. "Must win" is an over-used phrase and should only apply when a loss ends a season but this one comes awfully close. It'll be a feel good Sunday, for a change. I like the Packers 27-13.