Lions Top Dolphins 19-9 as Defense Shines; Willis Criticized

WHO:

detroitlions.com - The Detroit Lions defeated the Miami Dolphins 19-9; Detroit improved to 6-2 and recorded its fourth straight win.

detroitlions.com - Lions head coach Dan Campbell said, “We've cleaned a lot up,” and said players were trusting their instruction, executing, and gaining confidence.

detroitlions.com - Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and the linebackers wore injured linebacker Jack Campbell’s No. 46 jersey to the stadium. Dan Campbell said the team aimed to “win No. 6 for 46.”

detroitlions.com - Derrick Barnes took over defensive play-calling; Malcolm Rodriguez filled the MIKE role and led Detroit with eight tackles and one pass defended. Barnes had two tackles, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit; Joe Bachie had one tackle.

detroitlions.com - Rookie edge rusher Derrick Moore recorded two sacks and three tackles. Aidan Hutchinson called Moore’s first sack a moment that could make him feel “liberated.”

detroitlions.com - Jake Bates made all four field-goal attempts and one extra point. He was 16-for-17 on field goals and 23-for-23 on extra points for the season.

detroitlions.com - Jared Goff completed 17 of 25 passes for 170 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and a 70.4 passer rating; he rushed for six yards and was sacked three times.

detroitlions.com - Miami quarterback Malik Willis completed 13 of 25 passes for 128 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and a 50.1 rating; he rushed for seven yards.

miamidolphins.com - Miami running back Ollie Gordon II rushed for 55 yards on 16 carries. Caleb Douglas had six catches for 70 yards, setting a Dolphins record for receiving yards (296) through a player’s first five career games. Jordyn Brooks led Miami with 12 tackles.

WHAT:

detroitlions.com - Detroit held Miami scoreless in touchdowns and to 182 total yards, 77 rushing yards on 21 carries, and four conversions on 12 third downs. The Lions recorded three sacks, five quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, and four passes defended.

detroitlions.com - Bates converted field goals from 28, 40, 33, and 43 yards. Jahmyr Gibbs scored on an eight-yard run on fourth-and-one; Detroit’s other touchdown was followed by Bates’s extra point.

detroitlions.com - Safety Chuck Clark intercepted Miami in the third quarter; the takeaway led to a Bates field goal. Detroit’s defense later forced a turnover on downs.

detroitlions.com - Detroit’s 43-yard field goal followed a 17-yard Amon-Ra St. Brown screen reception on third-and-eight.

miamidolphins.com - Miami’s Chris Johnson intercepted Goff and returned it 21 yards. Miami used a fake punt, with Bradley Pinion passing to Kaytron Allen for 46 yards; Zane Gonzalez made field goals from 36, 52, and 34 yards. Miami also missed a 38-yard field goal.

miamidolphins.com - Miami’s defense held Detroit without a touchdown in the first half and ended Goff’s 30-game streak of consecutive games with a passing touchdown. Miami recorded seven quarterback hits and 65 tackles.

Heavy NFL - The article reported that Willis was criticized after Miami’s loss and characterized his performance as “up-and-down.”

WHERE:

detroitlions.com - The game was played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

miamidolphins.com - Miami’s next opponent is the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

WHY:

detroitlions.com - Detroit’s defense and Bates’s kicking helped secure the win while the Lions’ offense had a slow start.

detroitlions.com - Jack Campbell missed the game with a neck injury; DJ Wonnum was inactive because of a concussion.

HOW:

detroitlions.com - Detroit’s defense limited Miami’s offense, while Bates supplied four field goals and Gibbs scored the game’s touchdown for Detroit.

Detroit beat Miami 19-9, extending its winning streak to four games and improving to six and two. The Lions defense held Miami without a touchdown, while Jake Bates made four field goals. Jahmyr Gibbs scored Detroit’s lone touchdown, and safety Chuck Clark intercepted Miami’s quarterback.