Four different Packers forced multiple missed tackles against the Dolphins.
Despite limiting Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs to a season-low 2.3 yards per carry, missed tackles ultimately doomed the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night. Despite his struggles, Green Bay’s workhorse tailback made the most of his opportunities by forcing the Dolphins’ defense into 10 missed tackles.
Jacobs finished with 43 rushing yards but a head-turning 58 yards after contact, according to Next Gen Stats. Thanksgiving marked the ninth time Jacobs had over 50 yards after contact — and the Packers logged season-highs in yards after contact per carry (6.1) and yards after the catch (188).
“I think, the weather and the cold, I didn’t really see that as much of a factor as it was playing football and technique and fundamentals of bringing our feet collectively and getting our hips into tackles and wrapping up,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said after the game. “I think the biggest thing is that on a Thursday night game in a short week, you have to be clean, and we weren’t.”
Jacobs’ ability to generate yards after contact highlighted Miami’s ongoing struggles with tackling. The Dolphins missed 20 tackles Thursday, more than double the league average of eight — a troubling trend for the defense. Miami missed 12 tackles against the New England Patriots last week and eight against the Las Vegas Raiders the week prior.
While Jacobs led the team with double-digit broken tackles, wide receivers Jayden Reed (4) and Dontayvion Wicks (2), along with tight end Tucker Kraft (2) all forced multiple missed tackles en route to the 13-point victory.
“That’s the game right there, man. Twenty missed tackles — it’s hard to win,” Calais Campbell said. “I think it was one of those days where what could go wrong, went wrong. … I don’t ever want to make excuses, but I felt like today, the ball bounced their way and they made the plays to win the ball game.
“When we had our opportunities to make tackles in critical spaces, we have to find a way.”