Packers-Dolphins preview: Defending Miami’s offense, Lukas Van Ness and more

There are few better ways to digest your Thanksgiving dinner and dessert than by slumping into a couch and watching football at Lambeau Field.

The Green Bay Packers (8-3) and Miami Dolphins (5-6, winners of three straight) kick off in Green Bay at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.

Here are three big things to keep an eye on.

Quick trigger

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ranks 40th among 40 quarterbacks in average intended air yards per target (5.5), according to Next Gen Stats. In other words, he throws shorter on average than any quarterback in the NFL. He also has the lowest average time to throw, per NGS, releasing the ball this season in an average of just 2.41 seconds.

When you have players like wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane, it makes sense to get them the ball quickly and let them do the brunt work. The Dolphins rank eighth in the NFL in yards after catch per reception, according to TruMedia. Since returning from his concussion in Week 8, Tagovailoa ranks first in the NFL in expected points added per dropback, per TruMedia, and has thrown 11 touchdowns to one interception. He also ranks first in the NFL in the last five weeks in completion percentage (76.5), 3.6 percentage points higher than the next-best quarterback over that stretch.

Safety Xavier McKinney might not have many interception opportunities against Tagovailoa — the two played together their entire Alabama careers — and the Packers pass rush and tackling in the first and second levels will have to be on point against an efficient offense that defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley called the fastest he’s seen on tape.

“You’ll see them throw the ball downfield and hit some big plays, but then you’ll see a lot of catch-and-run, where in rhythm, he’s throwing the ball, whether it’s play action or he’s just getting the ball out quick in a quick game,” Hafley said Tuesday. “He does a really good job with it. He’s accurate. Like I said, he really throws the ball in rhythm well, and then he has those guys, when they catch it, you’d better be on them or you’d better take great angles because not all the explosives are what you think, right?

“They don’t just throw the ball down the field. It could be a slant that goes for 60 or 70, or it could be a screen. They probably throw as many screens as we’ve seen on film and a variety of different ones. And it’s not just the receivers. It’s the backs, too, so they’ve done a really good job creating some mismatches, getting the ball in space and letting their guys kind of catch and run.”

Hercules time

Packers 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness is nicknamed Hercules because of how he’s built. That brute strength was on display Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco had a first-and-5 from its own 15-yard line early in the fourth quarter, trailing 24-10. Right guard Dominick Puni pulled to the left side of the line after the snap, but Van Ness beat him around the outside. Running back Christian McCaffrey tried to block Van Ness, but the second-year edge defender manhandled him en route to sacking quarterback Brandon Allen, who had slipped earlier in the play.

Not only that, but Van Ness also knocked the ball loose from Allen, and defensive tackle Kenny Clark recovered it. The Packers scored three plays later on running back Josh Jacobs’ third touchdown of the game to put the nail in the coffin against a depleted 49ers team.

Defensive end Rashan Gary took time to break out after the Packers drafted him with the No. 12 pick in 2019, and Van Ness, the No. 13 pick last year, didn’t exactly burst onto the scene, either. He still hasn’t — Van Ness has just four TFLs, two sacks and one forced fumble while playing about 40 percent of the defensive snaps this season — but perhaps his big play Sunday is a sign of things to come. An inconsistent Packers pass rush could certainly use the boost.

“I’ve been waiting for a big play like that, and I’ve kept my head down,” Van Ness said. “Even going back to that game, I think a lot of it is you gotta take your shot and be willing to go out there and make a difference. Couple plays before that, I was getting that counter pass, and I told myself if I got it again, I was gonna beat that guard and get there, and obviously, I did that. Definitely a very exciting (feeling), and it does give you that itch to want to get back on the field again.”

Banged up

The Packers will be without several key players against the Dolphins due to injury.

Cornerback Jaire Alexander will miss his second consecutive game after aggravating a knee injury from Green Bay’s win over the Chicago Bears. Alexander told The Athletic last week that he suffered a torn PCL in Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He missed Week 9 against the Detroit Lions and stayed in Green Bay over the Week 10 bye in an effort to return for the Week 11 Bears game.

Alexander played only 10 defensive snaps in Chicago before bowing out, missed last Sunday’s win over the 49ers and will miss Thursday’s game against the Dolphins. Alexander said last week that he’s confident he’ll return to All-Pro form at some point in the second half of the season, though his return timetable remains unclear.

Rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper will also miss his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury he sustained in practice last week. Linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (ankle) is listed as questionable. If both don’t play, rookie third-round pick Ty’Ron Hopper will be called upon in base defense alongside Quay Walker and Eric Wilson after playing his first seven defensive snaps of the season last Sunday.

“You can see him getting better, getting more comfortable, being more confident,” Hafley said Tuesday. “I thought when he did go into the game, I thought he was physical. I thought he played fast. I think he took advantage of the opportunity, and if he has that opportunity again, I think we’re all confident that he’ll be able to do it again. I just think he continues to go like this (raises left arm), and over time, I do believe he’ll be a good player for us.”

Wide receiver Romeo Doubs will miss Thursday’s game after suffering a concussion against the 49ers. Doubs hit his head on the ground in the end zone midway through the second quarter after drawing a defensive pass interference penalty. Earlier in the drive, quarterback Jordan Love hit Doubs for three third-down conversions. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that Doubs was present at the walk-through but remains in the concussion protocol.

“Rome, he’s such a problem if you get him one-on-one with DBs,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. “He’s an excellent route runner. He can win in the quick game. He can win over the middle. He can win on the long ball. So, he’s a really versatile wide receiver. The one thing he’s been doing great that people probably haven’t taken notice of is his run blocking. He’s done a really good job in the run game. He’s becoming a total wideout for us and doing a good job. If he’s not out there, we are deep, and I think these guys are gonna do a great job if Romeo is not out there, filling in for that.”

Center Josh Myers (pectoral) and tight end John FitzPatrick (back) are listed as questionable.

(Photo: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)