Lions vs. Dolphins: 3 key matchups

The Detroit Lions travel to Joe Robbie Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday for a Week 9 showdown with the Miami Dolphins. Multiple outlets, including The Phinsider and Yahoo Sports, preview the game, highlighting three key matchups that could swing the result.

The Dolphins’ offense has shown a noticeable uptick in the past two weeks. According to The Phinsider, quarterback "Willis" improved his completion rate from 56.2% (73 of 130 attempts) in the first five games to 66% (35 of 53 attempts) in the most recent two. His yards per attempt rose from 6.53 to 7.91, his touchdown percentage jumped from 1.5% to 7.5%, and his interception rate fell from 3.1% to 1.9%. The outlet also notes that Miami’s scoring average climbed from 11.5 points per game in the first four weeks to 23.7 points in the last three, while total yardage increased from 267.5 to 320 yards per game.

Detroit’s pass defense ranks near the bottom of the league, providing the first key matchup. The Phinsider reports the Lions are 31st in yards allowed (1,936) and 32nd in passing yards per game (276.6). They allow a passer rating of 101.0 (26th) and a completion percentage of 65.9% (22nd). With the fewest missed tackles (15) and a strong YAC defense (5th), the Lions still give up 18 passing touchdowns, tied for last. This combination suggests Miami could exploit the secondary, especially with its improving aerial attack.

The second matchup centers on the Lions’ pass rush versus Miami’s offensive line. Detroit boasts three players with four or more sacks, led by edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, and interior defensive lineman Alim McNeill, who is ESPN’s top IDL pass rusher with a 27% win rate. The Phinsider notes the Lions rank third in total sacks (24) and tied for 10th in pressure percentage (24.8%). Conversely, Miami’s defense has generated only nine sacks this season and sits 22nd in pressure percentage (21.1%). The Dolphins will need creative blitz schemes to disrupt Jared Goff’s timing.

The third matchup pits Detroit’s balanced offensive firepower against a Dolphins defense that has struggled to contain the pass. The Phinsider points out the Lions rank fourth in total yards (2,768) and average 395.4 yards per game (5.9 yards per play). Goff completes 67.7% of his passes (5th best), with 15 touchdowns and a single interception. Wide receivers Amon‑Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams contribute 53 and 27 catches respectively, with St. Brown ranking fifth in receptions league‑wide. The Lions sit third in scoring offense (29.0 points per game).

For Miami to prevail, the Dolphins must sustain Willis’s recent improvements, protect the quarterback against Detroit’s relentless pass rush, and capitalize on the Lions’ porous secondary. Detroit, meanwhile, will look to impose its pressure, control the line of scrimmage, and lean on its multi‑dimensional offense to outscore a still‑developing Miami defense.