3 Takeaways from Packers' Week 16 Win vs. Dolphins

Just when it seemed like the Green Bay Packers' season was essentially over, they've gone on a roll. And because of that, they're pushing their way back into the NFC wild-card picture.

On Sunday afternoon, the Packers notched an impressive 26-20 road victory over the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. It was the third consecutive win for Green Bay, which is now 7-8 and only a half-game out of a playoff spot.

The Packers trailed 20-10 late in the second quarter, then scored 16 unanswered points the rest of the way. AJ Dillon's one-yard touchdown run in the third tied the game at 20, while Mason Crosby's pair of fourth-quarter field goals lifted Green Bay to victory.

Here are three takeaways from the Packers' Week 16 win.

The Defense Impressed with Its 2nd-half Turnaround

AP Photo/Jim Rassol

Green Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas (29) celebrates making an interception, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

The Dolphins scored 20 points in the first half, and their offense was delivering on its big-play potential. For example, Tua Tagovailoa connected with Jaylen Waddle on an 84-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.

Those types of plays didn't occur for Miami after halftime, though. Green Bay's defense didn't allow them to. And not only that, but the Packers didn't let the Dolphins even hold on to the ball for long throughout the final quarter.

Green Bay forced four turnovers, three of which were interceptions that came in the fourth. Each of Miami's final three possessions ended with Tagovailoa getting picked off.

"Our guys seemed like they were getting more pressure up front on Tua and making him move out of the pocket," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said, per Mike Spofford of the team's official site. "We knew he's a guy who's going to anticipate and going to let the ball go, and if you can read the quarterback the right way, it also gives you opportunities."

And Green Bay's defense capitalized on those opportunities. It was the main reason why the Packers ended up on top Sunday.

Crosby's Leg Provided Enough Points for Packers to Pull Out Win

AP Photo/Rhona Wise

Green Bay Packers place kicker Mason Crosby (2) kicks a field goal, held by Green Bay Packers punter Pat O'Donnell (16) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rhona Wise)

While Green Bay's defense kept forcing turnovers, its offense wasn't exactly doing the best job of capitalizing on those takeaways. The Packers compiled only 301 total yards, and they scored a touchdown on only two of their five trips to the red zone.

But Crosby made sure that Green Bay was still coming away with points. The 38-year-old kicker converted on all four of his field-goal attempts, including one from 28 yards out that gave the Packers a 23-20 lead with 11 minutes and 45 seconds to go in the fourth quarter.

In future games, Green Bay will likely need to do a better job of getting the ball into the end zone. However, its defense played so well late in Sunday's game that it didn't matter the team had to settle for field goals so many times.

It wasn't surprising that the Packers could count on Crosby, either. He's an experienced veteran who's been on a roll of late, having not missed any field goals or extra points during Green Bay's three-game winning streak.

The Postseason Is Very Much in Play for the Packers Now

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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 25: Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers looks on during the second half of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

It would have been hard to imagine the Packers still being in the playoff conversation at this point when they were 4-8 and had lost seven of eight games. Things have changed greatly since then, and they now have a legitimate chance of earning a wild-card berth in the NFC.

The Washington Commanders are 7-7-1 and currently in the No. 7 spot. Behind them are three 7-8 teams: the Seattle Seahawks, the Detroit Lions and the Packers.

Green Bay doesn't control its own destiny. If the New York Giants and Commanders both win out, they'll hold onto the Nos. 6 and 7 seeds. But the Packers are firmly in the mix and are in a position to potentially capitalize on mistakes made by the teams ahead of them in the standings.

"I'd like to be, you know, 10-5, 11-4, but considering where we were a few weeks ago, a lot of has happened in our favor," Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers said, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "All the games that needed to go a certain way went a certain way."

The Packers close out the regular season with home matchups against the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. And if things keep going Green Bay's way, it could reach the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.