GREEN BAY, Wis. — Jordyn Brooks doesn’t have a podcast, like former Miami Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott, and Brooks doesn’t usually say much at all.
But what Brooks said after Thursday’s 30-17 loss at Green Bay was, simply, the truth.
‘I felt like we let the elements control the way that we played as a group,’ Brooks said, before making his way out of Miami’s locker room. ‘I thought we were soft. Simple as that. I thought we were soft today.’
It was one thing when Elliott said on a recent podcast that last year’s Dolphins were soft.
It’s another thing when Brooks, a very physical player, calls out this year’s defense as soft.
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And for this game in particular, Brooks was absolutely right.
According to TruMedia, the Dolphins missed a staggering 20 tackles on Thursday.
Twenty! Nothing at all to be thankful for.
Dolphins don’t score on 3 tries from Packers 1-yard line
It was 27 degrees at kickoff, with flurries, and the Dolphins appeared to freeze up, particularly in the first half, as they fell behind 24-3.
‘I don’t know if the guys were too cold,’ Brooks said. ‘I don’t know what it was, but I felt like the elements played a part in how we played as a group.’
It was on both sides of the ball.
Defensively, the Dolphins allowed the Packers to rush for 114 yards, on 4.6 yards per carry.
‘We’ve definitely got to clean up tackling,’ Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler said.
Offensively, the Dolphins could rush for only 39 yards, on 2.8 yards per carry.
Most painful was a situation in the fourth quarter when Miami trailed 27-11.
The Dolphins had a 2nd-and-goal at Green Bay’s 1-yard line, but failed to score.
It was a De’Von Achane rush for no gain, followed by Tua Tagovailoa’s incompletion for Jonnu Smith and a sack that prevented a pass attempt on fourth down.
But why not run it in? Or at least try?
Dolphins were less physical team in loss to Green Bay
McDaniel said he saw some technique issues on the first two downs that led him toward the pass plays.
‘Whatever they call, you’ve just got to get it in the box,’ Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert said.
NBC broadcaster Jason Garrett said several times on Thursday that he’s concerned the Dolphins are not a physical team. Garrett is worried about the team’s ability to win on the road, against good teams, particularly in the cold.
‘The narrative is going to be what it’s going to be,’ Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead said. ‘We thrive ourselves on being physical up front for sure. I’ve been a physical player for 12 years in this league. So that narrative’s going to be what it’s going to be. And we fell short today. So it’s going to continue, for sure.’
The Dolphins didn’t lose this game purely because it was cold.
A muffed punt by rookie Malik Washington after Miami stopped Green Bay on its first possession was critical.
Ten penalties and a general lack of execution of offense were major factors.
But it is also a fact that Miami has historically struggled in these colder conditions.
And it is a fact that the Dolphins have a 0-7 record in games started by Tagovailoa when the temperature at kickoff is 46 degrees or colder.
Garrett contends that roster construction — focus on fast over physical — and style of play could be a detriment to Miami’s long-term chances.
It is also true that Miami likely would have lost that game to Green Bay on Mars.
Green Bay is a better team. That Miami came back to make it somewhat interesting is encouraging.
Dolphins could, we suppose, still make playoffs
It is entirely possible that the 5-7 Dolphins win four or five of the final five games this season.
A 10-7 or 9-8 finish would be admirable after a 2-6 start.
But looking at this from a wider lens, that Miami has been unable to slay the much-discussed narrative dragons are so, so problematic.
They lose to really good teams. They lose to teams in the cold. They lose on prime-time television.
And now, there is another narrative they’ll need to somehow, some way, overcome.
After this loss, one of their own players said they were soft.
Joe Schad covers the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe.
