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Week 6 Preview: Packers at Dolphins
Green Bay Packers (3-2) at Miami Dolphins (2-2)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Sun Life Stadium, Miami – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Sam Rosen, John Lynch, Pam Oliver
*Keys to the game: The Packers are plus-six in turnover ratio, pinning Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill with more pressure to play keep away from Green Bay’s humming offense. Tannehill, 18-1 when his passer rating hits 90, is at the helm of a team planning to pound away with the two-headed rushing attack of Lamar Miller and veteran Knowshon Moreno. If the Dolphins can tire the Packers’ defense in anticipated high heat and humidity, Moreno gives them a finisher. The Dolphins rank No. 5 in the NFL running the football with an average of 142.3 yards per game, a strength that hits the Packers’ primary weakness (163 rushing yards per game allowed).
Coming off a five-touchdown game and with 10 days between games, the Packers and Rodgers should be able to flourish against a shaky Miami secondary with the highly productive Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb as his primary targets. The Dolphins will be unpredictable with pressure. Rodgers would like to stay up-tempo with the no-huddle and create fatigue, but coach Mike McCarthy could be inclined to have halfback Eddie Lacy work up a lather in the first half to set the tone. Lacy finally busted out this season with his 13-carry, 105-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Vikings.
*Matchup to watch – Packers OLBs Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Mike Neal and Nick Perry vs. Dolphins LT Branden Albert and RT Ja’Wuan James: Green Bay’s pass-rushing platoon at outside linebacker was involved in three of the team’s six sacks against the Vikings, including two by Perry and a half-sack for Peppers. Miami’s reshaped offensive line, which includes their first-round pick at right tackle, has exceeded expectations.
*Player spotlight – Dolphins OL Mike Pouncey: He missed the first four games this season following hip surgery but was not on Wednesday’s injury report. Pouncey or Samson Satele would start at right guard, and the other at center, which is the natural position for both players. Satele has never played guard.
*Fast facts: Green Bay is 8-0 in October since losing 30-27 to the Colts in 2012. … Miami is expecting five players to return from injury or suspension this week.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Packers fly out of 40- and 50-degree temps for the tropical environs of South Beach, where the Dolphins plot to grind the pace to a halt and let their ballcarries do the dirty work in an effort to slow the up-tempo visitors.
*Our pick: Packers 27-23
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