Packers vs Dolphins first half recap: Packers lead 10-3

The Green Bay Packers lead the Miami Dolphins 10-3 at the end of the first half.

The Packers took the opening kickoff and came out of the gates like the high-powered offense they are.  Going no huddle throughout most of the drive, Aaron Rodgers was able to take the ball to the air and find success, while the Miami defense was able to hold the Packers run game to minimal gains. At the end of the drive, however, it was Rodgers arm that Miami could not stop, and a 9-play, 80-yard drive ended with Rodgers finding Jordy Nelson in the back of the endzone on a nine-yard score.

Miami exploded for themselves on the kickoff return, with rookie Jarvis Landry taking the ball three-yards deep in the endzone and running it back to the Packers side of the field, being tackled at the Green Bay 49. After the 54-yard return, however, Miami would stall, gaining 15 yards, plus a five yard Green Bay penalty on fourth down, and have to settle for a 48-yard field goal from Caleb Sturgis.

Following Sturgis' kickoff through the endzone, the Packers offense picked up a first down, but could not do much more. On 3rd-and-11, Miami defensive end Cameron Wake exploded through the offensive line and pulled down Rodgers for a six-yard sack. As the Packers attempted to punt away the ball on fourth down, Jonathan Freeny powered through to block the kick, which Chris McCain then recovered at the Green Bay 16 yard line.

Nothing would come out of it for MIami, however, as the team would end up going for it on fourth-and-goal from the Packers' one yard line, only to see running back Lamar Miller get stuffed for a two yard loss and a turnover on downs.

After three plays, the first quarter ended with Green Bay again looking to move the ball on Miami's defense.The drive would not result in anything sustained, going just 33 yards on nine plays before Green Bay had to punt.

Miami would not have any success on the next possession, however, as they would go backwards nine yards on the first play after Lamar Miller was hit and bounced backwards. Two plays later, Tannehill would attempt a pass deep to Jarvis Landry, but it would wind up in the hands of Green Bay cornerback Casey Hayward. The Dolphins defense stood up after the pick, keeping the Packers to just 11 yards gained and, following a third down sack from Olivier Vernon, force a 43-yard field goal from Mason Crosby.

The Packers led 10-3 at the midway point of the second quarter.

Miami would go three-and-out on the next possession, again asking the defense to make a stand after the special teams allowed a 24-yard return on a 44 yard punt.

The next possession for Green Bay would eat up nearly three minutes in moving the ball just 11 yards. After the punt, the Dolphins would pick up a first down on a pass from Tannehill to tight end Charles Clay 14-yard pass, then follow that up with a deep ball down the sideline intended for Brian Hartline, only to have the ball picked off for the second time.

Green Bay would again eat up clock, but add no points after the turnover.

After another Green Bay punt, the Miami offense would be able to move the ball 37 yards before stalling and having to punt. Green Bay killed the clock on a kneel down to send the game to halftime.

Miami's defense is the only reason the team is still in this game. They have been able to stop the Packers repeatedly, getting after Rodgers on nearly every play. Will the offense wake up in the second half? Can the defense continue to play at this level in the Miami heat?

Join us here to discuss the second half as it happens.