Hey there, football fans! If you’re like me, nothing beats settling in on a crisp fall day with a hot dog in hand, diving into the stats that make NFL rivalries come alive. Today, we’re talking about the Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers Match Player Stats – a matchup that’s been serving up drama since the early ’70s. Whether you’re a die-hard Dolphins fan dreaming of those sunny South Beach vibes or a Packers supporter chanting “Go Pack Go” from the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, this guide breaks down the key player stats from their head-to-head clashes.
We’ll keep it simple and fun, like chatting with a buddy at a tailgate. No jargon overload – just straightforward insights, easy-to-scan tables, and stories from iconic games. From legendary quarterbacks slinging passes to running backs bulldozing through defenses, these stats show why Dolphins vs Packers games are always a highlight. Grab your jersey, and let’s kick off!
The Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers Match Player Stats Rivalry Rundown: A Quick History Lesson
Picture this: It’s 1971, and the NFL-AFL merger is still fresh. The Dolphins, led by the legendary Don Shula, start dominating the league with their perfect ’72 season on the horizon. Meanwhile, the Packers are rebuilding after the Lombardi era, but they’ve got that Lambeau magic. Fast forward, and these two teams have tangled 17 times in the regular season (no playoff meetings yet), with the Dolphins holding a slim 10-7 edge overall. Yeah, Miami’s got the historical upper hand, thanks to an eight-game winning streak from ’71 to ’94 that had Green Bay fans pulling their cheeseheads in frustration.
But don’t count out the Pack – they’ve won four of the last six, including a thrilling 27-24 comeback in 2014 and a chilly 30-17 Thanksgiving beatdown in 2024. Average score? Dolphins edge it at 22.8 to 19.6 points per game. These games often turn on big plays: turnovers, long bombs, and goal-line stands. Cold weather has been Miami’s kryptonite lately – they’ve lost their last 12 games in temps below 40 degrees, including that frosty 2024 loss where the wind chill dipped to 18. Ouch!
What makes this rivalry pop? It’s the clash of styles – Miami’s speedy, pass-happy offense versus Green Bay’s gritty, run-first grind. And the players? Oh man, they’ve delivered gems. Let’s spotlight the stars whose stats shine brightest in these matchups.
Iconic Quarterbacks: The Arm That Wins It All
Quarterbacks are the heartbeat of any NFL game, and in Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers Match Player Stats tilts, they’ve thrown for over 10,000 combined yards. No one’s more synonymous with Miami than Dan Marino, the quick-release wizard who terrorized defenses in the ’80s and ’90s. Against Green Bay, Marino was lights-out: 1,248 career passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and just 4 picks across five starts (4-1 record). His best? A 1994 dismantling in Milwaukee, where he carved up the Pack for 380 yards and 3 TDs in a 24-14 win.
On the flip side, Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers owned Miami like few others. In four games, A-Rod racked up 1,297 yards, 9 TDs, and only 1 INT – a ridiculous 143.7 passer rating. Remember 2018? Rodgers shrugged off a collarbone injury scare and engineered a last-second field goal for a 31-12 rout, tossing 3 TDs. But his Hail Mary magic peaked in 2014: Down 24-21 with :05 left in Miami, he faked a spike and hit Davante Adams for 24 yards, setting up the game-winner. Pure Rodgers poetry.
Fast-forward to today: Tua Tagovailoa’s taken the Dolphins reins, but his lone start against GB in 2024 was tough – 365 yards and 2 TDs, but 3 picks in the cold led to a 30-17 loss. Jordan Love, the Packers’ rising star, stepped up big in that turkey-day thriller: 21/28 for 274 yards, 2 TDs to Jayden Reed, and zero sacks. Love’s now 1-0 lifetime vs. Miami, with a cool 98.2 rating.
Here’s a quick table of top QB performances in Dolphins-Packers history (min. 20 attempts):
Quarterback | Team | Game | Comp/Att | Yards | TDs | INTs | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dan Marino | MIA | 1994 vs GB | 28/40 | 380 | 3 | 0 | W 24-14 |
Aaron Rodgers | GB | 2014 @ MIA | 27/44 | 262 | 2 | 1 | W 27-24 |
Tua Tagovailoa | MIA | 2024 @ GB | 37/46 | 365 | 2 | 3 | L 17-30 |
Jordan Love | GB | 2024 vs MIA | 21/28 | 274 | 2 | 0 | W 30-17 |
Bob Griese | MIA | 1973 @ GB | 12/19 | 206 | 1 | 1 | W 16-13 |
These numbers aren’t just digits – they’re tales of clutch moments. Marino’s precision kept Miami’s streak alive; Rodgers’ flair flipped the script. If Tua can shake the cold-weather jinx, future games could be fireworks.
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Running Backs: Ground and Pound Glory
Ah, the unsung heroes – running backs who eat up yards and wear down defenses. In this series, the rush game has been balanced: Packers average 102 yards per game, Dolphins 98. But individual bursts steal the show.
For Miami, Larry Csonka was a beast in the ’70s, bulldozing for 187 yards on 34 carries in a 1975 rout (31-7 win, their biggest margin ever). Fast-forward, and Jay Ajayi lit up Lambeau in 2016 with 122 yards and a TD in a 31-24 upset. But the modern king? De’Von Achane – in 2024, he scampered for 73 yards but added a 14-yard TD catch, showing his versatility in the loss.
Packers RBs thrive at home. Ahman Green holds the franchise mark vs. MIA with 139 yards in a 2003 win. Josh Jacobs, the 2024 addition, powered 94 yards and a TD on 19 carries in that Thanksgiving clash, helping GB control the clock. His vision through Miami’s 14th-ranked rush defense (119.6 ypg allowed) was key to the 114-team total.
Check out this table of top rushing games:
Running Back | Team | Game | Carries | Yards | TDs | YPC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Larry Csonka | MIA | 1975 @ GB | 34 | 187 | 1 | 5.5 |
Ahman Green | GB | 2003 vs MIA | 22 | 139 | 0 | 6.3 |
Jay Ajayi | MIA | 2016 vs GB | 25 | 122 | 1 | 4.9 |
Josh Jacobs | GB | 2024 vs MIA | 19 | 94 | 1 | 4.9 |
De’Von Achane | MIA | 2024 @ GB | 12 | 73 | 0 | 6.1 |
These backs don’t just run – they dictate tempo. Csonka’s power set the tone for Miami’s early dominance; Jacobs’ 2024 grind kept Love off the field. Imagine Achane in warmer climes – he could flip these stats!
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Wide Receivers and Tight Ends: The Big-Play Bunch
Nothing like a deep ball to get the crowd roaring. Receivers have feasted in this series, with over 8,000 combined yards. Miami’s speed kills, but Green Bay’s precision shines.
O.J. McDuffie was Miami’s go-to in the ’90s, snagging 10 catches for 148 yards in a 1995 win. Modern Dolphins? Tyreek Hill’s electric, but in 2022’s Christmas clash (GB 26-20), he managed 52 yards – solid, but Jaylen Waddle exploded for 114 and a TD. In 2024, Waddle hauled in the two-point conversion after Achane’s score, finishing with 7 grabs for 85 yards.
Packers’ Davante Adams was Rodgers’ favorite target, torching MIA for 140 yards and 2 TDs in that 2014 hail-mary game. Jayden Reed’s emerging as the new guy – his two TDs in 2024 (both from Love) totaled 47 yards, but they were perfectly timed daggers. Tight end Tucker Kraft added 57 yards for GB, proving the pass catchers’ depth.
Jonnu Smith stepped up for Miami in ’24 with 48 yards on 6 receptions, becoming Tua’s reliable checkdown in the wind.
Top receiving performances table:
Receiver | Team | Game | Rec | Yards | TDs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Davante Adams | GB | 2014 @ MIA | 7 | 140 | 2 |
O.J. McDuffie | MIA | 1995 vs GB | 10 | 148 | 0 |
Jaylen Waddle | MIA | 2022 vs GB | 7 | 114 | 1 |
Jayden Reed | GB | 2024 vs MIA | 4 | 47 | 2 |
Chris Chambers | MIA | 2004 @ GB | 8 | 103 | 1 |
These guys turn games into highlight reels. Adams’ clutch grabs? Chef’s kiss. Reed’s scores in ’24? The reason Love got that turkey leg postgame. Waddle’s speed could be Miami’s equalizer if they host next time.
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Defenders Who Dominate: Sacks, Picks, and Stops
Defense wins championships, right? In Dolphins-Packers games, turnovers tell the tale – GB’s +8 differential in ’24 alone swung momentum. Miami’s pass rush ranks top-10, but against Love? Zero sacks in 2024.
Historical standouts: Dolphins’ Jason Taylor bagged 2 sacks in a 2000 win. Zach Thomas led tacklers with 12 stops in ’97. For GB, Clay Matthews terrorized Tua’s predecessor in 2010 with 1.5 sacks.
In 2024, Quay Walker’s 8 tackles and a goal-line stuff sealed the deal – stopping Miami at the 1-yard line when they trailed 27-11. Jaire Alexander snagged an INT off Tua, his second in the series.
Key defensive stats table (per game averages in series):
Player | Team | Pos | Tackles (Avg) | Sacks | INTs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Thomas | MIA | LB | 10.5 | 1.0 | 0 |
Clay Matthews | GB | LB | 6.0 | 1.5 | 0 |
Quay Walker | GB | LB | 8.0 (2024) | 0 | 0 |
Jason Taylor | MIA | DE | 5.0 | 2.0 | 0 |
Jaire Alexander | GB | CB | 4.0 | 0 | 1 |
These warriors flip scripts. Walker’s stand in ’24? That’s Lambeau lore. Miami needs more Taylor-like pressure to reclaim the edge.
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The Latest Clash: 2024 Thanksgiving Thriller Stats Breakdown
Thanksgiving 2024 at Lambeau was peak NFL – turkey, family fights over fantasy, and a 30-17 Packers win that snapped Miami’s three-game streak. Temps at 28 degrees crushed the Dolphins’ rhythm early: A muffed punt led to Josh Jacobs’ TD, and GB built a 27-3 lead.
Team stats: GB rushed for 114 yards (Jacobs 94), passed for 274 (Love flawless). Miami? 365 air yards (Tua heroic but harried), but just 55 on the ground. Turnovers: Miami 3, GB 0. Red zone: Packers 4/4 TDs, Dolphins 2/5.
Full box score table:
Category | Dolphins | Packers |
---|---|---|
Total Yards | 420 | 388 |
Passing Yards | 365 (Tua: 37/46, 2 TD, 3 INT) | 274 (Love: 21/28, 2 TD, 0 INT) |
Rushing Yards | 55 (Achane: 73 yds) | 114 (Jacobs: 94 yds, 1 TD) |
Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv. | 7/15 (47%) | 5/11 (45%) |
Sacks Allowed | 1 | 0 |
Time of Possession | 32:15 | 27:45 |
Love’s clean sheet and Reed’s scores were pivotal; Tua’s late rally fell short on that goal-line stop. Miami’s cold woes persist – their last sub-40 win? 2016 at Buffalo. But at 5-7, they’ve got fight; GB at 9-3 eyes the playoffs.
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What These Stats Tell Us – And What’s Next?
Whew, what a ride through the numbers! From Marino’s mastery to Love’s poise, Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers Match Player Stats reveal a rivalry of highs (those ’70s blowouts) and heartbreaks (GB’s recent surge). Miami’s 10-7 lead hides GB’s 4-2 streak since 2010 – momentum’s with the cheeseheads, but Tua’s arm and Achane’s legs could flip it in a sunny Hard Rock Stadium rematch.