Third Quarter
Detroit has been dismal in third quarters all season long, so it was imperative to try to shake that negative trend.
Beginning at their own 25-yard line, Stafford found Marvin Jones for a gain of 16 yards. Blount picked up another nine yards on the ground and Kerryon came in to move the chains with another ground gainer of eight yards. Matthew Stafford slipped his next pass to target Kenny Golladay through the tightest of windows for a plus of 22 yards through the air.
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A Frank Ragnow holding penalty nullified a beautiful 13 yard touchdown pass to Golladay and after an admirable effort by Kerryon Johnson to convert on 3rd & 1, he was still short of the first down. Detroit surprisingly went for it on 4th & Inches and Stafford managed enough to move the chains on a QB keeper.
Right afterward though, Golden Tate dropped a sure score near the end zone and after failing on another 3rd down pass, Prater came in for his second field goal attempt from 28 yards which was good, 20-7 Detroit.
On the next Dolphin drive, Detroit linebacker Christian Jones had a tipped Osweiler pass that was very nearly an interception and on the next snap, the quarterback again found Gesicki for a large gain of 18. The Lion defense went on to be gashed again, this time on the ground, for a 54-yard touchdown scamper by Kenyan Drake, 20-14 Detroit.
Detroit got the ball back looking to answer Miami’s touchdown and after picking up a few offensive yards, Kerryon Johnson ran Detroit into Dolphin territory with a strong 19 yard run on 2nd & 1.
LeGarrette Blount rumbled down to the Miami 10 yard line with a gain of 13 yards. On 3rd & Goal, Stafford again connected with Michael Roberts in the end zone for a four-yard touchdown score. Oddly, Detroit tried for a two-point conversion to go up by 14 points but failed, 26-14 Detroit.
The scrappy Dolphins took over again on offense towards the end of the third quarter and after moving the chains a bit on offense, Ricky Jean-Francois sacked Osweiler for the second time in the game for a loss of seven to end the third period.