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The Packers are still alive.
Dolphins are melting.
Green Bay picked up three interceptions from Tua Tagovailoa and shut out the Dolphins in the second half for a 26-20 victory on Christmas Day in Miami.
The Packers kicked a field goal with 2:02 left in the game to go up by six points, giving the Dolphins a chance to win the game with a two-minute drive.
But Tagovailoa and Miami’s offense weren’t up to par. He threw his third interception of the second half on the second play of the ball. Tagovailoa appeared to target Mike Gesicki with the pass on the right sideline, but the ball didn’t come close to reaching the tight end. Cornerback Rasul Douglas easily camped under the pass to seal the win for Green Bay.
Tagovailoa was 9-for-12 passing for 229 yards with a touchdown at halftime. He finished 16 of 25 for 310 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
Despite having 376 total yards, Miami was just 2-for-7 on third down. Jaylen Waddle had five catches for 143 yards, including an 84-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Tyreek Hill had four catches for 103 yards, including a 52-yard catch in the second quarter that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Jeff Wilson.
But in the fourth quarter, Tagovailoa overthrew Hill and was intercepted by cornerback Jaire Alexander. That play came right after Aaron Rodgers threw his 11th interception of the year.
Then, after the Packers took a 23-20 lead, Tagovailoa was intercepted by linebacker De’Vondre Campbell to end a promising drive. Tagobvailoa was looking for Raheem Mostert up the middle, but Mostert wasn’t ready for the football and Campbell stepped in to cut the ball and take it.
Rodgers finished the contest 24 of 38 for 238 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Rodgers completed passes to 10 different players, with Allen Lazard leading the way with five catches for 61 yards. Christian Watson had to leave the game with a hip injury, but had six receptions for 49 yards. Even veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis stepped up big, catching a pair of passes for 32 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
With the win, the Packers are now 7-8 and remain alive in the NFC playoff race. The club is currently ranked No. 10, but is a half-game behind No. 7 Washington. The Packers host the Vikings and Lions in the final two weeks of the season.
The Dolphins were 8-3, but have now lost four in a row to fall to 8-7. They play at New England next week and host the Jets in Week 18.