What Detroit Can Expect From Miami After Patriots Loss
WHO:
Pride Of Detroit - Lions head coach Dan Campbell described Miami’s offensive line as athletic and powerful, and praised its versatile scheme and running back Ollie Gordon’s speed and ability to exploit a lane.
Pride Of Detroit - Campbell said quarterback Malik Willis had done “a heck of a job” with Miami’s offensive scheme and called wide receiver Malik Washington a dynamic player who can line up inside or outside and return punts.
MiamiDolphins.com - The Dolphins’ Jason Jenkins Days of Service initiative included Miami Dolphins staff, community partners and volunteers.
detroitlions.com - Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley expressed support for Lions linebacker Jack Campbell, saying, “We are thinking of him and praying for him and for the Lions.”
detroitlions.com - Hafley praised Lions quarterback Jared Goff’s intelligence, toughness, ability to make every throw and quick recognition of check-downs.
detroitlions.com - Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, defensive coordinator Sean Duggan and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor were identified as the team’s coaching staff.
detroitlions.com - Dolphins tackle Patrick Paul discussed Miami’s run-game performance and facing Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
detroitlions.com - Lions players named as part of Detroit’s interior offensive line were Christian Mahogany, Juice Scruggs and Tate Ratledge; quarterback Jared Goff was also discussed.
detroitlions.com - Dolphins rookie receivers Chris Bell, Caleb Douglas and Kevin Coleman combined for 11 receptions, 120 yards and a touchdown against New England.
Pride Of Detroit - Miami quarterback Malik Willis, nose tackle Cory Durden, right guard Jonah Savaiinaea, right tackle Austin Jackson, and edge rusher Josh Uche were discussed. Lions defenders Tyleik Williams and Alim McNeill were also mentioned.
miamidolphins.com - The historical matchups featured Ricky Williams, Jay Fiedler, Bernie Parmalee, Dan Marino, Dave Krieg, Don Shula, Bob Griese and Paul Warfield.
WHAT:
Pride Of Detroit - Campbell said Miami’s offense uses motion, misdirection, screens, gadget plays and play-action, and that it was “a hungry team” playing good football.
MiamiDolphins.com - In 2026, more than 650 volunteers participated in 12 service projects, reaching nearly 65,000 people, including communities affected by earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia.
MiamiDolphins.com - The Dolphins, Miami VA Healthcare System and United Way Miami MISSION UNITED hosted their 10th Annual Warrior Moms Baby Shower, welcoming more than 70 local veteran mothers. Each family received $500 in rent or mortgage assistance.
MiamiDolphins.com - The Dolphins hosted 13-year-old Camren, who traveled from Virginia with family and joined players in breaking down a practice huddle.
MiamiDolphins.com - Two students and chaperones from the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program toured the Dolphins’ facilities and attended a game-day experience; center Aaron Brewer supports the program financially.
detroitlions.com - Hafley said Miami’s rookie receivers got open and competed against New England cornerback Christian Gonzalez, whom he called “one of the best corners in the NFL.”
detroitlions.com - Hafley said Miami’s pass rush had recorded three sacks against New England and had improved recently, but lacked consistency across games.
miamidolphins.com - The Miami–Detroit series is set to reach its 14th regular-season matchup.
miamidolphins.com - Miami’s 49 points in its victory over Detroit were its second-highest total in a season opener; the win extended its season-opening winning streak to 11 games, then the second-longest in NFL history.
miamidolphins.com - In the 1994 win over Detroit, Miami led 27-10 at halftime. Don Shula’s 319th regular-season win moved him past George Halas for the most regular-season coaching wins at that time.
detroitlions.com - Miami lost to New England 24-19 after rushing for 74 yards on 23 carries, a 3.2-yard average. The loss ended a five-game streak of rushing for at least 100 yards.
detroitlions.com - Since Week 2, Miami averaged 131.5 rushing yards per game, fourth in the NFL. Detroit ranked ninth against the run, allowing 96.6 yards per game.
detroitlions.com - Hutchinson had 43 total pressures, second-most in the NFL. Miami allowed a 140.0 passer rating on throws traveling at least 21 air yards, the league’s highest; Goff had a 113.7 rating on downfield throws.
detroitlions.com - Miami had 14 rookies on its active roster, the most in the NFL. Its rookie receivers accounted for 476 of 1,268 receiving yards, or 38%, the NFL’s second-highest share for rookie receivers.
detroitlions.com - Miami allowed two passing touchdowns of 40-plus yards against New England, measuring 48 and 43 yards. The Dolphins had nine sacks, the league low.
Pride Of Detroit - Willis averaged 3.05 seconds to throw, third-longest in the NFL, and had taken 21 sacks, seventh-most. Miami’s sack rate was second-highest at 10.3%. New England sacked him five times in the first half.
Pride Of Detroit - Durden recorded career highs against Miami: three pressures, three quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks. Miami ranked 21st in EPA per rush and 24th in rushing success rate; Detroit’s McNeill had 31 interior-defender pressures, second behind Zach Allen.
Pride Of Detroit - Miami ranked 21st in EPA per rush allowed and 30th in rushing success rate (43.9%). New England’s rushing success rate was 45.2%; Rhamondre Stevenson gained 82 yards on 19 carries.
Pride Of Detroit - Miami ranked 24th in points allowed per game (25.9) and 25th in yards allowed per play. Uche had two sacks and a 76.0 run-defense grade, ninth among edge defenders; rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez made eight tackles against New England.
Pride Of Detroit - New England gained 5.3 yards per play to Miami’s 4.5. Success rates were 49.1% and 43.8%, respectively; excluding garbage-time plays, they were 52.9% and 39.3%.
miamidolphins.com - In a season opener against Detroit, Williams rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns, and Fiedler threw three touchdown passes in Miami’s 49-21 win. Williams later ran for 1,853 yards, still the Dolphins’ single-season record.
miamidolphins.com - Miami beat Detroit 27-20 in 1994 to clinch the AFC East. Parmalee scored three first-half rushing touchdowns; Marino completed 26 of 35 passes for 285 yards. Miami intercepted Krieg twice and sacked him five times. The win was Shula’s 319th regular-season victory.
miamidolphins.com - In the franchises’ first matchup, Miami won 34-7. Warfield caught four first-half touchdowns and finished with six receptions for 103 yards; Griese completed 11 of 15 passes for 141 yards and four touchdowns. Miami finished the regular season 12-2, then won Super Bowl VIII.
WHERE:
detroitlions.com - The upcoming interconference matchup was set for Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
miamidolphins.com - The 1994 game took place at Joe Robbie Stadium; the first matchup was played at the Orange Bowl.
WHEN:
detroitlions.com - The articles describe the Detroit-Miami matchup as Week 9 and Miami’s New England loss as Week 8.
miamidolphins.com - The 1994 game was played on Christmas; the first matchup was Miami’s final regular-season game before its run to a second consecutive Super Bowl title.
WHY:
detroitlions.com - Paul attributed Miami’s poor rushing performance against New England to missed assignments, not reaching landmarks, and facing eight defenders in the box.
detroitlions.com - Hafley said Miami needed to limit explosive passing plays and improve its pass-rush consistency.
HOW:
Pride Of Detroit - The Patriots’ game against Miami was played in heavy rain, particularly at the beginning and end.
detroitlions.com - Hafley said defending Detroit required presenting varied defensive looks; he credited Detroit’s scheme, playmakers and physical run game for making its offense difficult to defend.
detroitlions.com - Paul said planning was the main way to try to limit Hutchinson.
Detroit visits Miami in Week Nine, where the Dolphins’ rushing attack faces a strong Lions defense. Miami averages 131 rushing yards per game since Week Two, while Detroit allows just 97. Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley praised Jared Goff’s toughness and expressed support for linebacker Jack Campbell.