News
Week 10 Preview: Dolphins at Lions
Miami Dolphins (5-3) at Detroit Lions (6-2)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Ford Field, Detroit – TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Jenny Dell
*Keys to the game: This is not the week Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor can placate wide receiver Mike Wallace’s desire to see more vertical shots in the passing game. Detroit’s dominating defensive line is the engine under the hood of the league’s top-ranked defense in terms of points and yards allowed per game. The Dolphins will feed RBs Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas and look to set up a high-percentage passing attack for QB Ryan Tannehill, whose passer rating has improved each month.
The Lions get WR Calvin Johnson back from his ankle injury, and Detroit is healthier across the board coming off its bye week. How aggressively the Lions are able to push the ball downfield will be an interesting facet as the Dolphins also sport a very dangerous defensive line. With RB Reggie Bush also recovered from an ankle injury, QB Matthew Stafford can utilize the screen game to counter an aggressive pass rush.
Friday injury report:
MIAMI DOLPHINS
–Out: TE Dion Sims (toe)
–Doubtful: G Daryn Colledge (back)
–Questionable: RB Lamar Miller (shoulder), LB Koa Misi (ankle), DT Earl Mitchell (abdomen), LB Kelvin Sheppard (hip, groin), S Jimmy Wilson (hamstring)
–Probable: TE Charles Clay (knee), DT Anthony Johnson (back), LB Chris McCain (foot), C Mike Pouncey (hip), LB Jordan Tripp (ankle)
DETROIT LIONS
–Out: DT Nick Fairley (knee)
–Doubtful: TE Eric Ebron (hamstring)
–Questionable: TE Joseph Fauria (ankle), TE Brandon Pettigrew (foot)
–Probable: DE Ezekiel Ansah (toe), RB Reggie Bush (ankle), WR Calvin Johnson (ankle), DE George Johnson (hamstring), T LaAdrian Waddle (concussion)
*Matchup to watch – Dolphins CBs Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan vs. Lions WRs Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate: Detroit is excited to get Johnson back in the lineup opposite Tate, who is fourth in the league in receptions. Grimes has four interceptions over his past five games, but is not likely to shadow Johnson, who will also see plenty of snaps against the feisty Finnegan.
*Player spotlight – Dolphins RG Mike Pouncey: The former Pro Bowl center has settled in nicely in his new position this season, but receives his stiffest test in the former of Lions DT Ndamukong Suh.
*Fast facts: The Dolphins have a winning record at the midway point of the season for the first time since 2003. … Stafford is one of three quarterbacks since 1966 to start three games in which his team overcame deficits of at least 21 points.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Miami is playing extremely well on defense and making solid strides under offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. But none of the Dolphins’ three road victories have come against a winning team, and a well-rested Lions team coming off its bye is a tall order at Ford Field.
*Our pick: Lions 23-20
News
Buccaneers admit mistake, boot Aguayo
Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk
Powered by WPeMatico
News
Did Bucs put too much pressure on Aguayo?
Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk
Powered by WPeMatico
News
Broncos holding their breath on Derek Wolfe
Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk
Powered by WPeMatico