Aaron Jones helps Packers run away for 31-12 win over Dolphins

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 11: Reshad Jones #20 of the Miami Dolphins breaks up a pass intended for Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers during the second half of a game at Lambeau Field on November 11, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy



GREEN BAY -- Aaron Jones ran for career highs of 145 yards and two scores, Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams connected for two touchdown passes and the Green Bay Packers beat the Miami Dolphins 31-12 on Sunday.

The Packers (4-4-1) pulled away in the second half, sandwiching scoring drives around cornerback Bashaud Breeland's interception deep in Miami territory. Green Bay went ahead 28-12 on Adams' 25-yard touchdown catch with 7:24 left in the third quarter.

Maybe this is the game that will get the Packers going in the tight NFC North race following a choppy first half of the season.

Jason Sanders tied a Dolphins franchise rookie record with four field goals, but Miami (5-5) couldn't find the end zone. The Dolphins squandered another opportunity on the game-opening drive after Brock Osweiler fumbled away a shotgun snap.

The Packers cashed in on that turnover, too, when Rodgers and Adams connected on their first touchdown for a 7-0 lead.

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 11: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers runs past Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins during the first half of a game at Lambeau Field on November 11, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images



But Jones, who finished with 15 carries, gave Green Bay some much-needed balance.

A slashing style and an explosive burst through the hole make Jones a threat to bust a big run on any carry. He accounted for 54 yards of total offense on the opening drive alone.

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 11: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers runs off the field after a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field on November 11, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)



Jones added a career-long 67-yarder to give him 96 yards on four carries in the first quarter alone.





GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 11: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass in front of Kiko Alonso #47 of the Miami Dolphins during the second half of a game at Lambeau Field on November 11, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Bu



Osweiler was 23 of 37 for 213 yards in his fifth start for the injured Ryan Tannehill. Miami had 294 yards of total offense, an admirable effort given that they were missing three starting offensive linemen.

But Osweiler was sacked six times, including three straight plays late in the fourth quarter.

Rodgers was 19 of 28 for 199 yards. Adams had four catches for 57 yards.

The matchup Sunday, Nov. 11 featuring the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins marks Green Bay's first home game in nearly four weeks, and the Packers' lone game at Lambeau Field over a 47-day span (Oct. 16-Dec. 1).

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 11: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers smiles as he walks off the field after a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field on November 11, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)



The following players were declared inactive ahead of Sunday's game, according to Packers.com:


Green Bay Packers


    Starting lineup changes: No. 19 Equanimeous St. Brown was expected to start at wide receiver for Cobb; No. 26 Bashaud Breeland was expected to start at cornerback for King.

    Note: The Packers only declared six inactive players with the active roster currently at 52 players.




    Miami Dolphins







      As play got underway at Lambeau Sunday afternoon, the Packers won the coin toss and opted to defer.

      The Dolphins fumbled the ball and the Packers recovered -- leading to a drive that resulted in a Green Bay touchdown. Aaron Rodgers threw to WR Davante Adams, and with the extra point, the Packers led the Dolphins 7-0.



      The scoring drive included eight plays for 70 yards in 4:54.



      The Dolphins got on the board with under two minutes left in the first quarter, kicking a field goal to bring the score to Packers 7, Miami 3.

      The Packers led 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.

      They quickly scored a touchdown with a run into the end zone by Aaron Jones at the start of the second quarter, and with the extra point, the Packers led 14-3.



      The scoring drive included three plays for 71 yards in 1:25.

      The Dolphins soon added a field goal to cut the Packers' lead to 14-6.

      The Dolphins added another successful field goal late in the first half to cut the Packers' lead further, to 14-9.





      The Miami Dolphins were the first to score in the second half -- adding another successful field goal to bring the score to 14-12 with nearly 12 minutes left in the third quarter.

      The Packers answered quickly, with Aaron Jones running the ball into the end zone for a touchdown -- extending Green Bay's lead to 21-12.





      Packers' Davante Adams scored his second touchdown of the game (and ninth of the season) after an interception and throw from QB Aaron Rodgers. Adams ran the ball into the end zone, and the successful field goal made the score Packers 28, Miami 12 with about seven minutes left in the third quarter.



      The scoring drive included three plays for 12 yards in 1:27.

      The Packers led 28-12 at the end of the third quarter.

      The Packers extended their lead to 31-12 with a successful Mason Crosby field goal from 38 yards with about nine minutes left in the game.

      The scoring drive included 11 plays for 60 yards in 5:58.

      The Packers would win this matchup 31-12.