The Miami Dolphins looked to put to rest the narrative that they struggle in cold weather games, but a 30-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day only fueled the flames. Despite quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s assertion that it’s all about mindset, the team’s preparation on the field told a different story.
Ahead of the game, Tagovailoa emphasized the importance of mental toughness, noting that Miami’s temperatures rarely drop as low as those in other cold-weather cities. However, it was clear that the Packers were better equipped to handle the frigid conditions, with several players warming up in T-shirts and shorts, while the Dolphins donned sweats and hats.
The loss marks the Dolphins’ 12th in a row in regular season or postseason games when the temperature at kickoff is 40 degrees or lower, with their last win in such conditions dating back to 2016 against the Buffalo Bills.
Despite the setback, Tagovailoa refused to use the cold weather as an excuse, insisting that his team’s performance was not hindered by the conditions. “I would say, from my standpoint and our team’s standpoint, we’re not going to use any of that as an excuse for why we didn’t get the start that we wanted,” he said. The loss adds to the team’s struggles in cold weather, but Tagovailoa remains convinced that it’s all about mental preparation.