Perhaps the best NFL matchup of the day came down to the wire. A back-and-forth defensive battle ended in favor of the Detroit Lions, who topped the Miami Dolphins, 20-16, on Sunday.
Dolphins vs. Lions final score: 3 things we learned from Detroit’s biggest win
The Lions got a quality win to improve to 7-2 on the season and establish themselves as one of the NFL’s best.
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Stafford engineered a 74-yard game-winning drive within the final three minutes of the game, hitting both Golden Tate and Calvin Johnson for big plays. The Lions got the benefit of a favorable spot on a third down play to earn a first down inside Miami's red zone. Instead of having to kick field goal, Detroit was able to throw into the end zone with a new set of downs. Stafford hit Theo Riddick for the game-winning score in the left side of the end zone from 11 yards out.
The Lions dominated the first quarter of the game. They took a 10-0 lead on a 49-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Johnson that at the time looked foreboding for Miami. Johnson had sat three straight games with an ankle injury, but showed no rust in his comeback, finishing the game with seven receptions for 113 yards and a score.
Miami would counter, however. Though their 14-play, 75-yard drive at the end of the second quarter ended in just field goal, it broke the Lions' defensive stranglehold. In the second half, Miami scored on a short field thanks to a bad punt to set up 25-yard field goal drive. A blocked field goal also was nearly returned for a touchdown by Dion Jordan, setting up a 3-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill to Mike Wallace to give Miami a 13-10 lead.
Special teams were once again a headache for the Lions. In addition to the blocked field goal, the unit also gave up long kickoff returns to rookie Jarvis Landry. The saving grace was a fake that kept the Lions’ opening field goal drive alive in the first quarter:
The Dolphins’ defense stole some of Detroit’s first-half defensive momentum in the second half. The Lions had to punt twice in the second half. The Lions had just 106 total yards of offense in the second half until the start of their offensive possession with a little more than three minutes remaining in regulation.
Three things we learned:
1) Calvin Johnson makes the Lions’ offense so much better
Johnson doing absurd things is exactly what the Lions’ offense has needed the last few weeks. His second reception of the game was a 49-yard touchdown that was ultimate example of why he may be the best wideout in the NFL.
The Lions' have talented pieces with Reggie Bush, Joique Bell, Stafford and Tate, but this offense would have been in deep trouble against the Dolphins if Johnson hadn't been able to suit up. He made a number of plays that only he can make, including a bobbling catch in double coverage during the fourth quarter that helped keep a field goal drive alive.
The Lions’ offense has been underwhelming this season. With Johnson back, the unit has a chance to regain its place among the league’s best.
Play Fanduel, Win big money
2) Both of these defenses are nasty
The scorecard was in favor of the Lions. Miami managed just 222 total yards to the Lions’ 351, and 50 yards rushing to the Lions’ 63. Still, both units held their own, toe-to-toe.
The front seven is the key both for both defenses. Ziggy Ansah feasted while the Dolphins' offensive line concerned itself with doubling up Ndamukong Suh. Ansah had a sack among his two tackles for loss, including a forced fumble to end the Dolphins' opening drive of the second half. The Dolphins countered with Cameron Wake, who had two sacks on the day.
The Dolphins countered heavy pressure with quick passing plays for Tannehill. The Lions simply asked Stafford to make plays, which worked intermittently. Either way, both offenses were significantly affected by the opposing defensive units.
3) The Lions are the new “it” team
It seems that this has been the NFL season of the "it" team. Every week we get to slather a new team with praise, whether it be the Cincinnati Bengals, the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Seattle Seahawks, the Arizona Cardinals, etc.
Obviously, the effusive praise hasn’t worked out great for all those teams. Momentum is apparently a fragile commodity. But after Sunday’s win, why not call the Lions a Super Bowl contender?
The defense proved its mettle against a Dolphins offense that has been improving alongside its young quarterback. The offense proved it can score wherever and whenever as long as Johnson is healthy and doing ridiculous things. This is a complete team that, at the moment, is capable of beating anyone.
Now Detroit just has to stay on top. Easy.
See More:
