Miami Dolphins struggle against winning teams again

In the United States, the Miami Dolphins faced off against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving, leading to a disappointing performance that continues a trend for the team. Prior to this game, the Dolphins aimed to break two narratives surrounding their inability to win in cold weather and their struggles against teams with winning records. Despite having won 11 games the previous season, the Dolphins had suffered six losses against winning teams, culminating in their recent match where they ultimately could not secure a win. The Dolphins entered the game with hopes to change these narratives but ultimately fell short, highlighting their ongoing challenges in these areas. Throughout the game, Miami faced numerous penalties, which severely impacted their performance. In the opening drive alone, the Dolphins were penalized three times, indicating a lack of discipline and execution on their part. The issues continued in the first half as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa pointed out a regression in the team's execution compared to their earlier matches. Previously, they had shown improvement in minimizing penalties, but this game marked a stark change with 10 penalties accepted against them. Offensively, the Dolphins struggled significantly, managing only 39 rushing yards and averaging a mere 2.8 yards per carry, a drastic drop considering their earlier successes with a robust running game. This decline raised concerns about their ability to generate offense, especially after having gone four games without surpassing the 100 yards rushing mark. The Dolphins' inability to capitalize on key plays translated into missed opportunities, as reflected in their third-down conversion rate dropping from 55% in prior games. Looking forward, the Dolphins face the challenge of regrouping as they prepare to host the New York Jets next week. This game presents an opportunity for Miami to start changing their current narrative, especially with another tough matchup against the Houston Texans—one of the winning teams. The outcome of these games will be critical in determining whether the Dolphins can overcome their struggles against winning teams and regain their momentum in the season.