The Lions head to Florida in Week 9 carrying real momentum, while the Dolphins are still trying to sort out what they are under new head coach Jeff Hafley.
Detroit comes in at 5-2 after back-to-back divisional wins, and the three-game winning streak is still intact. Miami, meanwhile, sits at 1-6 but has shown signs of getting better even with the record.
Dan Campbell had plenty of respect for what he’s seen from the Dolphins’ defense.
“This unit plays hard. Coach Hafley’s done a good job in his first year,” said Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
“Just reminds me a little of what we were when we came in. Man, they’re young, they’re hungry, they’re active, they run, they hit, they hustle, they finish, try to play disciplined ball, and they’re playing that way.
“Defensively (Zach) Sieler is really the anchor in there. You know, he’s played good football for a really long time.
Smart, crafty, powerful, can get an edge in the pass game. Active linebackers: the (Jordyn) Brooks and (Jacob) Rodriguez football players.
(Chris) Johnson’s done a heck of a job nickel corner, he’s pretty versatile in that regard. Offensively, they really have an athletic offensive line that’s got mass.
They run a versatile scheme. (Ollie) Gordon is a heavy back; you give him a lane, and he can hit it, hit it with speed, build to speed, and that’s where he gets dangerous, man.
You let him hit the line of scrimmage with any type of speed and any crease, and he can go.”
With the matchup set, the Pride of Detroit staff has put together its Week 9 picks for the Lions. Detroit fans can also weigh in on the score prediction and vote on the poll to decide whether the Lions keep rolling or the Dolphins spring the upset at home.
In Other News...
Lions Hit With NFL Punishment After Another Edge-Crossing Moment
The NFLs emphasis on sportsmanship has once again landed on Detroit, with the league continuing to crack down on taunting as it tries to keep emotions from spilling over. For the Lions, it is another reminder that even in the heat of a divisional matchup, the line between competitive fire and unnecessary attention from the officials can be a thin one.
Detroit also received the leagues latest reminder about preventing unsportsmanlike conduct, a message that extends beyond game day and into the controlled chaos of joint practices. With the NFL making clear it wants those standards enforced consistently, the Lions are being asked to keep their edge without giving the league a reason to step in again. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Need These 3 Defenders To Hold Up Vs Miami
The Lions are heading into their Week 9 matchup with Miami with some real strain on the defensive side of the ball, and the ripple effect is putting more on the plate for several depth pieces. Moore is in line for a bigger workload, Rodriguez is set for a heavier role in the middle, and Ya-Sin should see more snaps in the secondary, all because Detroit is trying to patch together a defense that has been hit by injuries at multiple levels.
For a team facing a Dolphins offense that can stress a defense in a hurry, the timing is far from ideal. Moore, Rodriguez and Ya-Sin now have a chance to show they can hold up under expanded responsibilities, but their performance grades and recent usage suggest different levels of readiness as the Lions try to get through a game that could ask a lot more of them than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Face A Week 9 Depth Chart Concern Fans Can't Ignore
The Lions are heading into their Week 9 matchup with Miami with the kind of updated depth chart that always gets attention, even when the headline names are still expected to suit up. Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown are all projected to be available, but the list still reflects the wear and tear that comes with this point in the season, and Detroit has already started making small roster moves to keep the week on track.
One of those moves points to a thinner margin than the Lions would prefer, especially in the backfield and along the defensive front. Practice squad elevations are often a sign of caution rather than panic, but they also tell the story of a team trying to protect itself against short-term absences while waiting for the final injury picture to settle. [Read more 🡒]