MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Miami Dolphins' 27-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers:
Wheeler speaks: Miami linebacker Philip Wheeler sat in the locker room and fielded plenty of questions after giving up the winning touchdown with three seconds left in the game. Wheeler was beat on the outside by Packers tight end Andrew Quarless. According to Wheeler, he took some blame for not making a play but thought the defensive coaching also deserved blame. “It was 50 percent bad play call and 50 percent bad coverage,” Wheeler said. When asked to clarify, Wheeler said, “I feel like [Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers] figured us out towards the end. He knew we were in man-to-man and that I would have single coverage on the tight end.” The Dolphins failed to adjust on the final plays.
Offensive line takes blame: Several Dolphins offensive linemen, including starters Daryn Colledge and rookie Ja'Wuan James, said the blame should go on the offensive line. Miami’s offense failed to get key first downs late in the fourth quarter that would have kept the Packers’ offense off the field.
Philbin credits the Packers: Miami head coach Joe Philbin failed to beat his former team in his first matchup since joining the Dolphins. Philbin came up the ranks through Green Bay and credited his former team. “I thought Green Bay deserved to win,” Philbin said. “They had more plays in the fourth quarter.”
