Dan Campbell is back at Hard Rock Stadium in Week 9, and the Miami Dolphins are staring at a brutal matchup. The former Dolphins interim head coach now brings the Detroit Lions to town, along with what has been the NFL’s most explosive offense. That’s a bad draw for a Miami team trying to survive with the league’s worst pass defense.
The numbers tell the story in a hurry. Miami is allowing a 119.5 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks, the worst mark in the league and one that would stand as an NFL record if it lasts. Detroit, meanwhile, sits at No. 1 overall in offense at 395.4 yards per game, No. 4 through the air at 264 yards per game, and No. 7 on the ground at 131.4 yards per game.
That leaves the Dolphins with a simple but difficult path: they probably need their best offensive outing of the season. Detroit’s defense has given teams chances, especially against the pass, and Miami will need to lean on wide receivers Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, and Malik Washington to make those openings count.
The Lions’ defense hasn’t been a disaster, even with plenty of criticism aimed at coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. Against the run, they’ve been solid, giving up 96.6 yards per game, which ranks eighth in the NFL.
The problem is everything else. Their pass defense has been the league’s worst, surrendering 276.6 yards per game.
Up front, Detroit has a real problem for opposing quarterbacks in Aidan Hutchinson. The EDGE rusher has been every bit the force expected, and the Lions’ 24 sacks are tied for the third-most in the league.
Hutchinson leads the team with a 91.7 defensive grade from PFF, and he’s piled up 43 pressures and six sacks. Alim McNeill has also been a load, adding 31 pressures and six sacks from the interior.
The Lions will be shorthanded at linebacker without Jack Campbell, who is recovering from last week’s scary injury. Campbell gave an update on Wednesday that seemed promising, but for Sunday, Detroit will need Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez to hold things together.
Rodriguez has been badly beaten in coverage, while Barnes has fared better. Even so, the group could make life difficult for Miami’s ground game and for running back Ollie Gordon II.
The real opening for the Dolphins is through the air, because Detroit’s secondary has been vulnerable. Brian Branch has been back for the last two games, though he suffered a concussion after just 23 snaps against the Arizona Cardinals.
Kerby Joseph has missed the entire season so far, and both players were limited in practice. If they’re back Sunday, Miami’s task gets tougher.
Detroit’s backups have done some decent work. Chuck Clark has allowed just a 70.7 passer rating in his coverage area, and Keith Abney II has allowed a 41.3 passer rating. Still, Abney II is graded below average by PFF, and Christian Izien has been picked apart in coverage, giving up a 137.7 passer rating.
There are also issues at corner. D.J.
Reed, Roger McCreary, and Rock Ya-Sin have been Detroit’s top snap-getters at the position, and all three have had their struggles at different points this season. Reed also missed practice with a hip injury, and if he can’t go, the Lions would likely turn to Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
That sets up the kind of game where chances should be there for Miami if it can protect the quarterback. Malik Willis hasn’t thrown for more than 220 yards in any game this season, and he’s topped 200 yards only twice. This would be a good week for that to change.
The Dolphins’ offensive line has to give him enough time, but Willis’ ability to extend plays means he’ll still have to create something on his own. If Miami can’t get its passing game moving, this one could get away quickly. All season, head coach Jeff Hafley has had his team playing above its weight.
That’s the hope again in Week 9.
In Other News...
Kenneth Grants Early Struggles Are Becoming A Real Dolphins Concern
Kenneth Grants return from a toe injury was supposed to give the Dolphins another disruptive presence up front, but early on the rookie first-round pick has been more of a work in progress than an immediate answer. Through Week 5, his impact has been limited in both the pass rush and run defense, even as Miami has gradually increased his playing time while the coaching staff continues to sort out what it has in the young interior lineman.
The concern for the Dolphins is less about one quiet stretch than what it might mean if the early trend holds. Grant was brought in to help change the look of the defensive front, but the production has not matched the investment yet, and the evaluation is still unfolding as Miami looks for signs that his game is starting to catch up with his draft status. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Face Late Roster Decisions Before Lions Game
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Jaylen Wright, Kaytron Allen and Malik Herring are among the names creating uncertainty, which could force Miami to look at its practice squad for temporary help. The Lions, meanwhile, cleared safety Brian Branch from concussion protocol but still have their own injury concerns, with backup running back Sione Vaki questionable and five players already ruled out. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Suddenly Face A Trade Deadline Decision On A Defensive Leader
With the Dolphins sitting at 1-6 and reportedly willing to listen on players if it helps the long-term picture, the trade deadline has started to loom over a roster that still has to answer plenty of questions on the field. One of the more surprising names to surface is linebacker Jordyn Brooks, a player Miami has leaned on as a defensive leader since bringing him in.
Brooks was supposed to be part of the solution, not part of a midseason sell-off, which is why the idea of moving him would carry real weight inside the building. The Dolphins have a clear future-minded incentive to consider offers, but dealing away a central voice on defense would also deepen the uncertainty around a team already staring at a difficult season. [Read more 🡒]