Dolphins stop the fake on 4th down!
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📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AwrcEGB7Ry pic.twitter.com/LYvFa1uFNj— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2022
The Green Bay Packers handed the Miami Dolphins easy points after getting stuffed on an ill-fated fake punt attempt in the first half of Sunday’s showdown at Hard Rock Stadium.
On 4th-and-2 from his own 20-yard line, Packers coach Matt LaFleur got aggressive and called the fake, but safety Dallin Leavitt was stuffed for no gain and the Dolphins took over on downs.
Miami didn’t convert the opportunity into seven points, but a field goal gave the Dolphins a 20-10 lead in the second quarter.
LaFleur and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia must have seen something on the tape of the Dolphins’ punt coverage team, but Miami’s special teams reacted perfectly to stop the play.
Here are the dots, via Rob Demovsky of ESPN:
Doesn’t seem like a great look up front to run a fake punt against. Have to wonder if they could’ve checked out of it based on what the Dolphins showed. pic.twitter.com/vMCZU8OjRh
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) December 25, 2022
The Dolphins converted 3rd-and-14 on the ensuing drive but were still stopped, setting up Jason Sanders’ field goal. Preston Smith’s strip-sack helped stall the drive.
LaFleur clearly believes the Packers need to score nearly every drive to win the football game. Given the fact that the Dolphins have scored on four of five drives, he’s probably correct. But will the free three points come back to haunt the Packers?
