By Chris Havel Special to EVENT USA GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers didn’t play their best game of the season, or even their most complete, but they did play winning football. The Packers’ 26-20 victory over the Dolphins on Sunday at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium was a terrific total team effort. It doubled as a wonderful Christmas gift for fans who’ve endured a rough ride thus far. Green Bay (7-8) has won three straight to keep its playoff hopes alive. If the Packers defeat Minnesota (12-3) and Detroit (7-8) to finish 9-8 they’ll reach the playoffs, but only if Washington loses one of its final two games or the New York Giants lose both of theirs. Meantime, the Packers handled business by rallying from a double-digit deficit Sunday for the third time this season to claim the win. Miami (8-7) sprinted to a 10-3 lead while racking up 172 yards (56 rushing, 116 passing) in the first quarter. That’s a 688-yard pace. They opened a 20-10 late in the first half, but amazingly the Packers’ defense hit the “reset” button and pitched a second-half shutout. It’s crazy to think Jaylen Waddle (five catches, 143 yards and a touchdown) and Tyreek Hill (four for 103) had such huge games and Miami still lost. Much of that was because Tua Tagovailoa was as awful in the second half as he was brilliant in the first quarter. Tagovailoa threw interceptions on the Dolphins’ final three possessions to seal their fate. “Any time you get four takeaways in a game, you should win that game,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. “Our guys seemed like they were getting more pressure up front on Tua and making him move out of the pocket. 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 right away, it also gives you opportunities.” Jaire Alexander, De’Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas each corralled fourth-quarter picks. Aaron Rodgers loved the defense’s multiple big plays. “Our defense clamped down and played excellent football,” he said. Rodgers also said he is pleased to be playing “meaningful” football in the wake of a 3-0 December. “I’d like to be, you know, 10-5, 11-4, but considering where we were a few weeks ago, a lot has happened in our favor,” Rodgers said. “All the games that needed to go a certain way went a certain way. Now, there’s obviously much left (to do), but again, we’ve played meaningful games in December, we won all three of those. Now we’re playing meaningful games in January, and we’ve got to win those.” Rodgers was 24 of 38 for 238 yards with one touchdown and an interception. He was sacked twice and finished with a 78.6 passer rating. Rookie left tackle Zach Tom stoned Pro Bowl pass rusher Bradley Chubb, who finished with just one tackle and a quarterback hit. Royce Newman came off the bench to replace the injured Yosh Nijman (shoulder) and played better than in his previous go-round. The offense also had to overcome injuries to Christian Watson (hip) and Aaron Jones (shin) – undoubtedly their two most explosive weapons – by relying on Allen Lazard (five catches for 61 yards) and Romeo Doubs (three for 36) to move the chains. LaFleur was aggressive from start to finish, and that included winning the coin toss and deferring to the second half. It sent a message – intended or otherwise – to the Packers’ defense saying, “We trust you.” Then, the offense made it work by kicking a field goal to end the first half and scoring a touchdown to open the second half. LaFleur also called an ill-fated fake punt – it should’ve been scuttled because Miami was set for it – but the aggressiveness was refreshing. Far too often this season Green Bay has been the counterpuncher. The Packers have devised game plans based on an opponent’s strengths, rather than focusing on developing their own identity. That wasn’t the case Sunday when LaFleur went for it on fourth-and-1 at Miami’s 1 while trailing 10-3 in the first quarter. Marcedes Lewis, the 17-year veteran, faked a block and curled to the left corner of the end zone, where he was all alone for the easy touchdown to make it 10-10. Lewis also delivered a clutch 31-yard catch on Green Bay’s opening drive of the second half. After Patrick Taylor picked up 17 yards on a nifty catch-and-run, Lewis was stride-for-stride with safety Eric Rowe up the left sideline when he hauled in a perfectly thrown ball for 31. It set up A.J. Dillon’s 1-yard touchdown run to make it 20-20. Lewis, a 17-year veteran, was part of a rarely deployed four-tight end personnel grouping. Some of that was dictated by injuries to Watson and Jones. Again, the four-tight end formation reflected LaFleur’s creativity and aggressiveness. The personnel offers a “run heavy” look, but the Packers used that against Miami’s defense to hit the big play to Lewis. Lewis, a consummate pro, was thrilled to contribute to the win. “That play, even in practice, A-Rod doesn’t really let it go like that in practice to me,” he said. “I feel like I had him beat, saw the ball up there and the rest was fundamental after that. Been doing that all my life and I was just very grateful to be accountable when my number was called.” Jones reveled in his teammate’s big play. “I said, ‘Marcedes, you still have some wheels son,” Jones said. “That’s Big Dog. However you need him to show up, he’ll show up. No questions asked. He’s a team-first player.” Lewis wasn’t the only “old-timer” to contribute in a big way. Mason Crosby was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goal attempts while making his team record 256th straight start. He will surpass London Fletcher for fourth place all-time against the Vikings. “It’s pretty awesome,” Crosby said. “A day like this, it’s Christmas, come down to Miami and get a great win, these are the memories and moments. It’s not my accomplishment. It’s just remembering all these types of things that have been so special.” Now the Packers are on to preparing for Minnesota. They’ll have to decipher how to proceed given the long injury list. It starts with Keisean Nixon, whose 93-yard kickoff return in the first quarter set up Green Bay’s first field goal. Nixon (groin) left the game early. Watson (hip) also is a question mark going into the Vikings game. According to the Press-Gazette’s Ryan Wood, Watson told him that his hip was Ok. “I’ll be alright,” Watson said. The Packers hope to have Nixon and Watson against the Vikings, but if they stay aggressive and keep playing for (and with) each other, they ought to be Ok either way. “It’s cool to see whenever you do lose somebody who’s going to step up and take the opportunity,” he said. “It was a total, collective team effort, and we did just enough to get the win.”
Nixon has four kick returns of 50-plus yards, which is the most in the NFL since Andre Roberts had six 50-plus yard returns for the Jets in 2018.
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"Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada
"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help.
As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game,
particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "
-Kayle
"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time.
One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA.
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-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida
"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"
-Matt
"Hi Amy-
Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future!
Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol!
Go pack go!!"
-Julie Mastrianni
"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service.
My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it.
We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip.
Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."
-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN
"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."
-Frank Chavez, Sacramento
"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."
-Beverley Moore, Lancaster
"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"
-David Anastas, Worchester
"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."
-Dick Koerner, Neenah
"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."
-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario
"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."
-Sam Jones, Sedalia
"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."
-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor
"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."
-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly