Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Miami 10 at Green Bay 24 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Miami Dolphins: Turnovers hurt the Dolphins in this game. Ray Lucas moved the offense occasionally but couldn't get any points on the scoreboard to show for it. He left the game in the second quarter in a lot of pain what was called a "burner on his shoulder" according to ABC. Lucas returned in the third period and simply couldn't spark the offense. This is not the same Dolphin team with Lucas behind center. Cris Carter's first catch out of retirement ended with a turnover on a fumble. It was a tough return for Carter. Chris Chambers didn't have a catch until late in the fourth quarter. McMichael didn't produce either. Don't look for much production out of the Dolphin's receivers until the quarterback position is back in order. Ricky Williams looked strong running the ball outside and fast on the corners, but couldn't break down the tough Packer defense. The Dolphins were playing from behind all night, which hurt Williams' numbers. The defense deserves the most credit, but the quarterback situation in Miami isn't helping Williams either. Green Bay Packers: Brett Favre started the game, and wore a brace on his injured knee. Favre's scrambling ability is inhibited by the knee brace and sideline announcer Melissa Stark reported that Favre has commented that he is not comfortable wearing the brace. Still, Favre moved around and looked good throwing the ball as usual, he was just a bit slower. He took a few hits and one in particular was a shot to his knee and he was fine. Favre hobbled a bit in the late second quarter and his knee looked like it started to bother him. He looked fine in the second half until he left with about 7:30 remaining and the game in hand. He would have stayed in the game if the game were close. Continue to monitor the situation. Favre started hobbling a little later in the game and his knee looked like it started to bother him. Keep a close eye on this one. Ahman Green looks great running and catching the ball, and was particularly effective on screen plays. He is the Packers top threat and really does it all for this team. Donald Driver had a great game and got the best of CB Sam Madison on a number of plays. He out leaped Madison, ran by him on deep routes and broke his tackles. There was no question in this game that Driver was the best wide receiver for the Packers. The Green Bay defense dominated the game. DE Vonnie Holliday returned to action and LB Nate Wayne had nine tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery on a great individual effort. Safety Darren Sharper returned an interception for 89 yards and a touchdown. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Miami Dolphins QB: Ray Lucas started in place of Jay Fiedler and wanted to put last week behind him after struggling mightily. He made a nice scramble in the first quarter for a first down, but wasn't asked to do too much with his arm. He moved the Dolphins but couldn't make anything of it. He converted a great third down play to open the second quarter but the ball was fumbled to stall the drive. Lucas left the game in the second quarter after a shot by Vonnie Holliday on looked to be in a tremendous amount of pain. He left the game with a "burner on his shoulder" and Sage Rosenfels came in the game in relief of Lucas. Surprisingly, Lucas returned in the third quarter but wasn't able to spark the offense. He really struggled in the second half and it was clear that he wasn't going to move the ball against the Packers defense. His touchdown run was in slop time on a quarterback sneak. Clearly, the Dolphins need to get Fiedler back as soon as possible. WR: Chris Chambers was held without a catch in the first half. His production is likely to continue to suffer with the problems at the quarterback position. He finished the game with only five catches for 55 yards but all of the catches came at the end of the fourth quarter when the Packers defense focused on preventing the long touchdown. Cris Carter (wearing # 88) was targeted by Lucas on his first pass play, but couldn't hold on. His first catch was also his first fumble that stalled a Miami drive in the second quarter. Carter had another target in the third quarter deflected and intercepted. It was a very rough return for Cris Carter, and he finished with only 31 yards receiving. James McKnight (wearing #80) made a nice catch in the late first quarter for a 14-yard gain but no Dolphin wide receivers were a major factor in the game. RB: Ricky Williams looked strong running the ball outside and fast on the corners early in the game. He really is a great combination of power and speed. But, he was held to only 19 yards in the first half by a resurgent Packer defense. Williams had a couple of nice runs in the second half as well, but couldn't break anything long and the Dolphins were playing from behind all game which hurt his numbers as well. The Packers defense deserves the most credit, but the quarterback situation in Miami isn't helping Williams either. Robert Edwards came in on the first series on third down and got the first down on a draw play for 19-yards. He had a few more touches throughout the game. Travis Minor continued to return kickoffs and looked good doing it. TE: Randy McMichael was also held without a catch in the first half. He made his first catch late in the third quarter. He was targeted quite a bit throughout the game, so nothing to worry about with regard to opportunities but his production could slip until Fiedler returns. Desmond Clark saw action and had a reception early in the second quarter before McMichael got a look. Still, McMichael saw most of the targets throughout the game. K: Olindo Mare made a 46-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Dolphins Pass Defense: CB Patrick Surtain made an unbelievable interception in the end zone when he kicked the ball to himself with his foot as it was falling to the turf. On passing downs, they pressured Favre and forced him to get rid of the ball on short patterns. The Dolphins pass defense played a decent game, though CB Sam Madison had a tough time with Donald Driver in this game and the Packer screen pass was very effective. Dolphins Rush Defense: The Dolphins rush defense gave up a number of big runs to Green and company and looked very soft in the middle. They allowed over 50 yards to Green in the first half. In the second half, they were able to slow Green when they knew to expect the run as the Packers were playing with a big lead. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Green Bay Packers QB: Brett Favre started the game, and wore a brace on his injured knee. Favre rolled out on the first play from scrimmage and hit Bubba Franks for a reception. He led the Packers all the way down the field before throwing an ugly interception in the end zone on another scrambling play. Favre really forced the ball on the play. Favre's scrambling ability is clearly inhibited by the knee brace and sideline announcer Melissa Stark reported that Favre has commented that he is not comfortable wearing the brace. Still, Favre looked great throwing the ball and moved outside of the pocket as usual, he was just a bit slower than normal. He took a few hits and one in particular was a shot to his knee and he was fine. Favre started hobbling a little in the late second quarter and his knee looked like it started to bother him. He looked fine in the second half until he left with about 7:30 remaining and the game in hand. He would have stayed in the game if the game were close. Continue to monitor the situation. Doug Peterson came in the game but only played because the game was out of reach for the Dolphins. WR: Donald Driver was the target of a deep route in the first quarter and Favre just missed him for the touchdown. Driver just blew by CB Sam Madison on the play. He made a great catch in the second quarter when he out jumped Madison for the catch. Driver's 29-yard catch in the third quarter was the result of a great effort by Driver to break Madison's tackle. No question in this game that Driver is the best receiver on the team. Terry Glenn dropped a ball in the first quarter that he should have caught on third down. He was looked to throughout the game, but does not seem to be the top threat as that title goes to Green and then Driver. Neither Javon Walker nor Robert Ferguson were a major factor in passing game and are behind Driver, Glenn, Green, and Franks on Favre's reads. RB: Ahman Green was again heavily involved in both the running game and passing game. Early in the game, Green showed good burst as the Packers offensive line won the battle in the running game. Green's screen in the 2nd quarter was good for a first down on a 3rd and 18 play. He had another 23-yard screen for a touchdown towards the end of the second quarter. He looked great all game and is the Packers' top target. Najeh Davenport drew a pass interference call in the end zone that led to a Packer touchdown. He also spelled Ahman Green when a rest was needed. Rookie Tony Fisher had a 28-yard gain while spelling Green as well. TE: Bubba Franks was very active in the passing game. He had three catches in the first half for 29 yards and is clearly one of Favre's favorite targets. K: Ryan Longwell made a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter. Packers Pass Defense: This unit wasn't challenged too much in this game, but shut down Lucas throughout the game. Darren Sharper made an easy interception from a bad Lucas read and returned the ball 89 yards for a touchdown. DE Vonnie Holliday returned to action and got some pressure on Lucas. This unit simply outmatched Lucas. Packers Rush Defense: LB Nate Wayne stripped Miami FB Robert Conrad of the ball in the first quarter and recovered the fumble himself. It was a tremendous individual effort. The Packers held Ricky Williams to only 19 yards in the first half. Wayne also had an interception off a tipped ball in the third quarter. Wayne finished the game with nine tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.