Tagovailoa throws 3 INTs, Green Bay tops Miami
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Green Bay’s defense intercepted Tua Tagovailoa three times in the fourth quarter to help the Packers come from behind to defeat the Miami Dolphins 2620 and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Aaron Rodgers threw for 238 yards and a touchdown and had one interception for the Packers (7-8), who have won their last three games after starting the season 4-8.
Miami (8-7) lost its fourth straight game and must win its final two to make the postseason.
The Dolphins trailed by six points with a chance to take the lead in the final two minutes, but Tagovailoa threw his third interception in three possessions to end Miami’s comeback bid. He threw a pick with about six minutes left that set up a Packers field goal to make it a six-point game.
Packers kicker Mason Crosby hit a goahead field goal early in the fourth after backto-back turnovers by both offenses.
Undrafted Miami rookie Kader Kohou intercepted a pass by Rodgers intended for Allen Lazard, but the Dolphins gave it right back when cornerback Jaire Alexander intercepted Tagovailoa on the very next play.
Miami’s defense held the Packers to six
points off turnovers in the second half to keep the Dolphins in it after blowing a 20-10 firsthalf lead.
The Dolphins held Green Bay to two scores in five trips to the red zone.
A.J. Dillon led the Packers with 36 yards rushing on 11 carries, and Allen Lazard had 61 yards receiving on five catches.
Tyreek Hill had four catches for Miami to give him 113 for the season, setting a Dolphins’ single-season receiving record. Jaylen Waddle added five receptions for 143 yards.
But Miami spoiled those big receiving days with turnovers.
Raheem Mostert fumbled in the first half, leading to a Green Bay field goal. Tagovailoa’s three interceptions were the most he has thrown all season.
Miami committed to the run game early, rushing for 82 yards against Green Bay after a season-high 188 yards rushing against Buffalo in Week 15.
The Dolphins ran four times for 38 yards on their opening drive and took a 3-0 lead, and Green Bay countered with a field goal to tie it after Keisean Nixon’s 93-yard kickoff return set up the Packers at the 9-yard line.
Miami built a 20-13 halftime lead after an 84-yard TD by Waddle and 1-yard TD run by Jeff Wilson.
Dillon’s 1-yard TD run on Green Bay’s first possession of the third quarter tied the game.
Tight end Marcedes Lewis also had a 1-yard TD catch in the first quarter.
Rodgers’ interception in the fourth quarter was his 11th pick of the season, his highest total since he had 11 during Green Bay’s Super Bowl-winning season in 2010. Rodgers threw a career-high 13 interceptions in 2008.