The connections of love get the Packers rolling

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Jordan Love threw two touchdown passes to Jayden Reed and the Green Bay Packers used a fast start to beat Miami 30-17 and end the Dolphins’ three-game winning streak on Thursday night.

Green Bay (9-3) has won three straight and seven of its last eight games.

Miami (5-7) continued its recent history of cold weather woes. The kickoff temperature at Lambeau Field was 27 degrees with winds of 10 mph, light thunderstorms and a wind chill of 18 degrees.

The Dolphins have lost their last 11 regular-season or postseason games in which the kickoff temperature was below 40 degrees. The Dolphins’ most recent win in a game with a kickoff temperature of 40 or less was a 34-31 overtime victory at Buffalo on December 24, 2016.

Green Bay plays three games in 12 days. The Packers defeated the San Francisco 49ers 38-10 on Sunday and will visit the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions next Thursday night.

Love was 21 of 28 for 274 yards.

Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa completed 37 of 46 yards for 364 yards and two touchdowns, although he was also sacked five times.

Love and Reed connected on touchdown completions of 3 and 12 yards, Josh Jacobs scored from 1 yard and Brandon McManus hit two field goals to give Green Bay a 27-3 lead.

Miami tried to rally.

Tagovailoa’s 14-yard pass to De’Von Achane – and a two-point conversion pass to Jaylen Waddle – cut Green Bay’s lead to 27-11 with 2:43 left in the third. After Miami stopped Jacobs for a 2-yard loss on third-and-1 to force a punt, the Dolphins drove again and scored a second-and-goal on 1 early in the fourth quarter.

The Packers then made a stand at the goal line to thwart the comeback attempt. After Rashan stopped Gary Achane on second down and Tagovailoa failed to make contact with Jonnu Smith on third down, Quay Walker made a sack on fourth down with 9:33 left.

A 49-yard completion from Love to Jacobs then set up a 33-yard field goal by McManus with 5:02 left. Miami completed the scoring with a deflected 14-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to Tyreek Hill with 3:04 left.

Miami’s slow start allowed the Packers to take command.

After forcing a three-pointer on the game’s first possession, the Dolphins gave Green Bay a first-and-goal chance when Malik Washington parried a punt and Robert Rochell recovered the fumble at the 9.

The turnover set up Love’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Reed on third-and-goal.

Green Bay reached the end zone again on its next series, as Jacobs’ touchdown capped a nearly seven-minute, 12-play, 76-yard drive.

The Dolphins had a first-and-goal at the 9 in the second quarter, but settled for Jason Sanders’ 33-yard field goal.

Green Bay then scored 10 points in the final 96 seconds of the half to make it 24-3.

On third-and-2, Reed caught a pass around the line of scrimmage and took advantage of a downfield block from Dontayvion Wicks to reach the end zone. After Tagovailoa beat Achane 38 yards on Green Bay’s fourth-and-5 with 22 seconds left, a pair of completions from Love to Tucker Kraft helped the Packers get into position for McManus’ 46-yard field goal as time expired bring.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) breaks a tackle by Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (44) during the second half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. ( AP Photo/Mike). Romans)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) celebrates after scoring a 12-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. Pass caught. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) runs in front of the Green Bay Packers’ linebacker during a 12-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin Miami Dolphins, Jordyn Brooks (20), off. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks (30) runs in front of Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland, right, during the first half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson runs in front of Miami Dolphins cornerback Cam Smith, left, after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin caught (AP Photo/Mike Roemer). )

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) runs in front of the Green Bay Packers’ linebacker during a 12-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin Miami Dolphins, Jordyn Brooks (20), off. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) jumps over Green Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard, left, during the first half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Morry Cut)

Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, April 28. November 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) jumps over Green Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard (20) during the first half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Lüdtke)