After Week Off, Detroit Lions Will Face Immediate Test From Resurgent Miami Dolphins

The Detroit Lions had Sunday afternoon off, which means they probably had plenty of time to get a jump-start on scouting their next opponent, the Miami Dolphins.

But where was such scouting to begin? The Dolphins looked solid all day in their 37-0 thrashing of the San Diego Chargers. Ryan Tannehill was a force in the pocket, throwing for three touchdowns and also rushing for 47 yards. Charles Clay scored a touchdown through the air as the leading receiver, as did Lamar Miller on the ground as the leading rusher.

Defensively, Miami collected three interceptions off Phillip Rivers, and forced four total turnovers while only allowing 178 total yards of offense. On the whole, it was a near perfect performance from the Dolphins, who thrashed the struggling Chargers around all afternoon.

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Now, a game that many may have been counting as a win for Detroit earlier in the season gets more interesting. The Dolphins have already played their NFC North competition tough this year, losing on a late touchdown to the Green Bay Packers and beating the Chicago Bears soundly on the road. Overall, they are a solid 5-3.

This weekend, they’ll get their shot against Detroit at Ford Field, a place the Lions have already lost to one AFC East foe this season in the Buffalo Bills. Considering the Dolphins’ play against other teams from in the division and general resurgence of late, the game figures to be a major battle, and one that could tell the early tale about where the Lions are headed in the second half.

Overlook the Dolphins and act entitled and Detroit could begin another downward spiral considering the schedule. Play tough and take care of business and the Lions could certainly provide themselves with a major confidence builder for the next string of tough games.

Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush and other injured Detroit offensive weapons could return this week, and the team will likely need as many as possible to fight off a pesky Miami team that can play defense. Overall, Miami is ranked third in the league in total defense, and second in passing defense. These numbers certainly won’t do anything to comfort Matthew Stafford

Quietly, the Dolphins are a sound team, and could be even better than their solid record looks. Anyone expecting a freebie victory after the bye week was brought back to reality in a big way this weekend watching the Dolphins play. If Miami can embarrass Rivers and Jay Cutler while forcing Aaron Rodgers to the brink, they can certainly beat the Lions on the road if the team isn’t completely ready.

Anyone expecting a freebie victory after the bye week was brought back to reality in a big way this weekend watching the Dolphins play.

Sunday afternoon, a sneaky good game will take place at Ford Field, and sleeping on the Dolphins in lieu of “bigger” future match ups with the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots would be a major mistake.