There is nothing better than beating the crap out of the San Francisco 49ers, no matter the crew of flunkies they trotted out there on Sunday. That was a domination start to finish, and hopefully, an indicator of things to come for these Green Bay Packers. But as quickly as it took to write that, the turnaround to the next game tomorrow night is the same. With no time to celebrate, the focus immediately shifts to the suddenly-formidable Miami Dolphins, fresh off a win themselves. 

So like the Packers this week, let's get right to it and raise up a Turkey Day edition of the Periscope and look at the past, present and future of the Dolphins and Packers.

The Past

For a series spanning over 50 years, it was somewhat surprising to me the Packers and Dolphins have only faced off 16 times. And it took a LONG time for the Packers to get a win in the series, which started on December 19, 1971. Miami won the first 8 in the series, until September 14, 1997 (!) when the Packers eked out a 23-18 win.

Of late, though, the Packers have made up for lost time winning 5 of the last 6 dating back to 2002. This little streak includes three straight, including a dramatic win in Miami in 2014, this week's look-back game.

On October 12, 2014, the Packers went down to Miami at 4-1, taking on the 2-2 Fish. At a balmy 88 degrees during the game, it was a sluggish effort for the Packers despite opening up the game with a 7-0 lead on an Aaron Rodgers-to-Jordy Nelson connection from 9 yards out. A field goal each way took it to 10-3 at the break, but it was a struggle in the first half.

Miami would even things up to start the third when Ryan Tannehill hit Jarvis Landry from 11 yards. But later in the quarter, Rodgers got touchdown pass No. 2 from the 5 to Randall Cobb to put Green Bay up 17-10.

But Miami found its footing in the fourth, first on a Lamar Miller touchdown run, then again when Tannehill hit Remember-That-Guy Mike Wallace. A Mason Crosby field goal got the Packers to within 4, and subsequently the defense got a stop and the ball back for the Pack. After a frantic drive, complete with a huge fumble recovery and impressive clock management, Rodgers hit Davante Adams inside the 5 on a fake spike then Andrew Quarless in the end zone with 3 seconds remaining and a 27-24 win.

The Present

Miami rolls into Lambeau on a 3 game winning streak and just one game out of the playoffs. So this is a very motivated team that is playing very well at the moment, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back from his concussion. They're extremely fast, with the likes of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De'Von Achane leading the offense. Tua has been a master of short passes in his return, so the Packers linebackers will need to be at their best to try to slow these guys down.

But Miami, for all its speed, is a bit banged up at the moment, with guys like Jalen Ramsey, Hill, Kendall Fuller and Terron Armstead either missing practice or being limited. And with an older group on a short week heading into what will be a cold environment at Lambeau, one has to think that the youth at home is an advantage.

As for the good guys, the Packers look like they'll be down some players as well. Jaire Alexander, Edgerrin Cooper, Isiah McDuffie and Romeo Doubs were all DNPs through Tuesday, so it doesn't bode well for them. 

But for the healthy guys, especially on offense, they'll look to build off the exquisite running effort displayed on Sunday. Miami ranks in the bottom 10 in total rushing yards allowed, but rank well in YPC at only 4.3. Still, though, I don't see anything stopping this Packers offense on the ground. And with Ramsey on the other side, that's definitely a good thing.

The Future

7:15, Thanksgiving Night, Lambeau Field. With the high Thursday expected in the 30s, it'll be more like 20 at kickoff which is music to our ears for a team from South Florida who didn't exactly play too well in the cold a season ago in Kansas City. This game pits two coaches from the same tree, with similar creative running attacks, and young, talented quarterbacks fresh off big paydays. While the weather may help slow down the Dolphins attack a bit, they're still an extremely talented team capable of taking a 3 yard pass to the house if the tackling isn't sound.

And while this game is a wonderful end to a tremendous holiday, I hope everyone out there is able to spend a really special day among friends and family. When the bellies are full and the cocktail glass are full, there's no better dessert than 9-3 with another big game on the horizon. Happy Thanksgiving, fellow Cheeseheads!