The Phinsider - Dolphins at Lions: Miami drops 20-16 game to Detroit (StoryStream)A Miami Dolphins community, established November 18, 2006https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49617/phinsider-fav.png2014-11-10T12:27:32-05:00http://www.thephinsider.com/rss/stream/69437842014-11-10T12:27:32-05:002014-11-10T12:27:32-05:006 Observations on Dolphins' Tough Loss to Lions
<figure>
<img alt="Ryan Tannehill attempting to evade pressure, as he did much of the game against the Lions" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jFu9pRTobAncUYQMaV0MoBDlh3U=/0x0:3960x2640/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/43834580/20141109_lbm_af2_139.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ryan Tannehill attempting to evade pressure, as he did much of the game against the Lions | Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Six thoughts on the physical battle between the Miami Dolphins' (5-4) and the Detroit Lions (7-2) that ended in heartbreaking fashion for the Dolphins.</p> <p>I'll start off by saying this: the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> are <em>not</em> a pretender this season. The Lions have a team that can never be counted out of a game and they have the weapons to dominate on either side of the ball.</p>
<p>Now I'll loosely quote Dennis Green; The <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dolphins</a> had the Lions where they wanted them, and they let them off the hook!</p>
<p>It was another hard-fought, last-second, heart-breaking loss versus an NFC North team for the Dolphins, another game where both the offense and defense had chances to win the game in the final minutes and failed.</p>
<p>Here are this week's thoughts, plus notes & quotes, on the game that took place Sunday:</p>
<p><b>1. The Dolphins were so close (yet again)</b></p>
<p>The pain of being so close only to fail is a familiar feeling for the Dolphins. It was the feeling they felt as 2013 closed on a two-game losing streak and a missed playoff berth. It's the feeling that coursed threw the city of Miami after <span>Aaron Rodgers</span> threw the game-winning touchdown pass to <span>Andrew Quarless</span> earlier this season.</p>
<p>It's the feeling that winning teams get tired of right before they put it all together. Miami is stuck at the doorstep of the next level, at the pearly gates of elite NFL teams.</p>
<p>But they aren't quite there yet.</p>
<p>Being able to pull out tough victories, like against the Lions or <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Packers</a>, makes a team elite. Making the plays it takes to win makes a team elite.</p>
<p>The Dolphins were so close on Sunday to victory. The Dolphins are so close to being an upper-echelon team in the NFL. But they don't yet make the plays it takes to win in crunch time. They aren't well-versed on the art of winning. Yet.</p>
<p>The Dolphins played admirably against the Lions, but couldn't pull out the victory because...</p>
<p><b>2. The Dolphins couldn't make the plays to win the game</b></p>
<p>Miami couldn't make the plays that winning teams make despite playing like a winning team for much of the game.</p>
<p>The Dolphins made many plays that winning teams make to keep themselves in the game, such as the blocked field goal by Earl Mitchell which turned into seven points for Miami, or the effort by <span>Ryan Tannehill</span> to make a tackle to prevent a pick-six that allowed <span>Brent Grimes</span> to pull down the interception-of-the-year the very next play.</p>
<p>But the Dolphins couldn't pull off the one or two plays at the end to seal the game, the plays that turn on-the-brink teams into winning teams.</p>
<p><b>3. Offense was inconsistent</b></p>
<p>The Dolphins averaged only 2.6 yards per carry. The Dolphins run game was non-existent for much of the day and Tannehill's arm was tasked with driving the Dolphins. Miami had a few promising drives, but only scored one touchdown (on a drive starting from the Lions' three-yard line).</p>
<p>Tannehill played well considering the defense he was up against, how much stress he was under from the Lions' pass rush and the one-dimensional nature of the Dolphins offense, but his interception in the redzone was a killer. While Detroit didn't score off the turnover, the interception cost Miami three points.</p>
<p>The worst part of the day for the offense was the failed four-minute drill (again). What made this failure worse is that it came just one possession after a crucial endzone drop by <span>Charles Clay</span>.</p>
<p>The Dolphins offense had the ball and a three-point lead with just 3:47 on the clock. The Dolphins ran the ball twice for five yards then passed on 3rd-and-5. It was an incomplete pass and Detroit received the ball with just over three minutes left. That three minutes provided Detroit enough time to march down the field for the game-winning touchdown.</p>
<p><b>4. Defense played well but couldn't make a play when it mattered most</b></p>
<p>The Dolphins defense bailed out the offense many times. The defense kept both of Miami's turnovers from turning into points for Detroit. They even stopped the Lions for a three-and-out on what many had hoped would be the Lions' final drive of the game.</p>
<p>But, when Miami's offense failed to produce a first down to run out the clock, <span>Matthew Stafford</span> was given another try at leading his team to victory. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, Stafford was successful in round two.</p>
<p>The Dolphins couldn't make a play on defense to stop the Lions, who matriculated down the field in a way that they hadn't done since their first drive of the game.</p>
<p>The game-winning touchdown to <span>Theo Riddick</span> was a dagger to the hearts. Even more so because it seemed that <span>Reshad Jones</span> had a chance to bat the pass down had he looked back for it (plays that winning teams make). The play was a dagger to the heart. Maybe even more so when considering the play of the game...</p>
<p><b>5. Play of the game</b></p>
<p>I wish I could say the play of the game was <span>Earl Mitchell's</span> blocked field goal and <span>Dion Jordan's</span> run back to the three-yard line was the play of the game.</p>
<p>I wish I could say <span>Brent Grimes</span>' ridiculous one-handed interception the very next play after Ryan Tannehill tackled <span>James Ihedigbo</span> after the latter had returned an interception 70 yards was the play of the game.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, <span>Charles Clay's</span> drop in the endzone with four and a half minutes left in the game to soften the Lions' deficit to only three points instead of seven was the play of the game. This play deflated the Dolphins and energized the Lions. This play ensured that the Lions would have not only a chance to tie the game, but take the outright lead. And the Lions took advantage.</p>
<p>Clay's drop, which was well-defensed, was the play of the game. Clay couldn't make the catch, Ihedigbo was able to break up the pass. One made a winning play, one did not. And, oddly enough, that play reflected the final result.</p>
<p><b>6. Dolphins season is far from over, but....</b></p>
<p>Things could het ugly from here. This was a big game, but possibly the biggest game of the season comes Thursday when the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bills</a> come to town. The Bills annually bully the Dolphins up front, and Miami will be forced to take on Buffalo (and every other team on their schedule) without left tackle <span>Branden Albert</span>, who is likely out for the season with a knee injury.</p>
<p>Miami cannot get beat up by this team yet again, especially at home. Getting swept by this inferior team two years in a row will look bad for Philbin and, more importantly, will put the Dolphins confidence in the gutters and their season in a spiral as they prepare to face the Peyton Manning-led <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Broncos</a> the following week.</p>
<p>Winning this non-conference road game would have been great for the Dolphins' confidence and season outlook, but let's not pretend it was a must-win. It would have been one hell of a victory if they pulled it out, but now they must refocus for games against AFC teams.</p>
<p>The Dolphins can only afford two more losses this season if they have any hopes at making the playoffs, so Miami must be able to overcome this loss and keep the season going.</p>
<p>This loss could easily be the start of a three-game losing streak. Because of that, the importance of Thursday's game against the Bills cannot be understated. The Dolphins must pull out the victory to keep their season alive.</p>
<p>The future outlook looks bleak after this loss, but don't underestimate the resilience of this Dolphins team.</p>
<p><b>NOTES & QUOTES</b></p>
<p>- The Dolphins started slow as Detroit outgained them 121-1 while Detroit built their early 10-0 lead.</p>
<p>- The Dolphins were the third straight team that the Lions beat on a fourth quarter comeback.</p>
<p>- There were many odd things that happened in this game. Two fake punts by Detroit, an attempted fake punt by Miami, a blocked field goal and two bobbling catches took place. Simply put, it was an odd game.</p>
<p>- <span>Joique Bell</span> was a tank. Bell, who ran for 44 yards on 10 carries, was a bull all game and gave the Dolphins defense problems. I'm not sure why the Lions didn't elect to run with him more in that game.</p>
<p>- <span>Jarvis Landry</span> is a playmaker. He's fun to watch with the ball in his hands and is electric on kick returns.</p>
<p>- Dion Jordan still has ability to cover despite his added weight, and the Dolphins aren't afraid to use him in coverage when forced too. Jordan was playing coverage when the Lions were in the redzone on their final drive, lining up on <span>Calvin Johnson</span> on most plays.</p>
<p>- Earl Mitchell was a great signing. Mitchell is a beast up front and is usually good for one tackle-for-loss per game. Mitchell is a pure effort player. Mitchell provided one of the most important plays in the game when he blocked a field goal late in the third quarter.</p>
<p>- The Dolphins had the ball in the redzone four times. They scored only one touchdown. Miami must be able to convert these opportunities to touchdowns consistently to be able to win football games.</p>
<p>- The Dolphins offensive line held together admirably when <span>Branden Albert</span> got injured. <span>Ja'Wuan James</span> played very well at left tackle.</p>
<p>- GM Dennis Hickey's players are starting to become key contributors. On top of the aforementioned Landry, Mitchell and James, rookie running back <span>Damien Williams</span> was the Dolphins top rusher Sunday, rushing for 34 yards on seven carries.</p>
<p>- Brent Grimes has four interceptions in the past three games. Grimes is back to playing at a Pro Bowl level after struggling a bit earlier in the season.</p>
<p>- Dolphins need tight end help. Tannehill's interception can be half-blamed on Gator Hoskins, who allowed Ihedigbo to jump the route by drifting on his route and rounding if off at the top.</p>
<p>- "As an offense, when you get put in a position to seal the game, you want to do it. And to not do it is the most frustrating thing. (We’ve) just got to find a way to do it." - Charles Clay.</p>
<p>- "We weren’t thinking about the Packers game. We were thinking about this game. We didn’t win, so it didn’t end the way we wanted it to. We’re proud of how competed, but we’ve got to finish the game out." - Brent Grimes.</p>
<p>- "It was a drop. Nothing else to say about it. You've got to come down with (the ball)" - Charles Clay on his endzone drop.</p>
<p>- "It’s tough losing Branden. I love the guy to death. He’s out there battling every day. He’s such a consistent guy, a solid guy on that offensive front. To lose him is tough, but I thought Ja’Wuan played well. I didn’t feel like I was getting pressure from, really, the right or left tackle quickly. I had to step up a few times, but that’s football. Now we know the situation going in. We’ll have a full three days to prepare and we’ll be ready to go on Thursday." - Ryan Tannehill.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/DWPhinsider" data-show-count="false" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @DWPhinsider</a>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');
// --></script>
</p>
https://www.thephinsider.com/2014/11/10/7186753/6-observations-on-the-miami-dolphins-disappointing-loss-to-the-detroit-lionsDanny Williams2014-11-10T10:00:06-05:002014-11-10T10:00:06-05:00Dolphins Stock watch from Lions loss
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BCNHr_9PwqiJdAjHVwSRaXO_yGA=/0x0:1790x1193/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/43821128/20141109_lbm_af2_247.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A look at the stock ratings of several Miami Dolphins players following the team's loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> lost another game against an NFC North opponent on a last minute touchdown pass. After seeing <span>Aaron Rodgers</span> do it to the team in Miami earlier this season, the Dolphins saw <span>Matthew Stafford</span> take the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> down the field for the game winning score Sunday, beating Miami 20-16. At the end of the day, it was a good football game and an entertaining one to watch - but it hurt to be a Dolphins fan watching the game.</p>
<p>Last week's stock watch featured 10 stock up ratings, giving the 37-0 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a> from that weekend. This one is back to the standard three up-three down format, with some players deserving to be recognized for their performances on Sunday, and some players needing to be found.</p>
<p><b>Stock Up: <span>Ja'Wuan James</span>, offensive tackle - </b>The rookie offensive tackle is going to be moving from the right side, a position he has played his entire football life, to left tackle as the replacement for the injured Branden Albert. There will likely be some growing pains, but the fact that James has been playing well this year on the right side and that the coaches trust him to take over the left side position clearly shows how good a player James is. He was considered a reach in the Draft, but James is demonstrating why the Dolphins wanted him.</p>
<p><b>Stock Down: <span>Brian Hartline</span>, wide receiver - </b>One target. That's all Hartline got against the Lions in a game in which the team needed to move the ball. The offense has changed this year, but that does not mean Hartline's role should have disappeared. <span>Jarvis Landry</span> was targeted 10 times, <span>Charles Clay</span> nine time, <span>Mike Wallace</span> eight times, <span>Damien Williams</span> three times, and <span>Brandon Gibson</span> and <span>Lamar Miller</span> twice each. There were plenty of passes to at least get two targets to Hartline, but he's just not in the plays for some reason this year. With Wallace and Landry getting their fair share of the ball, it was probably too high a goal for a third straight 1,000-yard performance from Hartline this season, but there should be a lot of landing ground between 1,000-yard receiver and non-factor.</p>
<p><b>Stock Up: </b><span><b>Damien Williams</b></span><b>, running back - </b>Williams got his opportunity to be a part of the offense early in this game, and he showed up. He's still an undrafted free agent rookie, so counting on him to be your feature back is a little worrisome, but in a game where Lamar Miller was only able to carry the ball four times, due in no small part to a shoulder injury that limited him in practice for much of the week, Williams was able to pick up some of the slack. He carried the ball seven times for 34 yards, giving him a 4.9 yards-per-carry average. A Williams wearing number 34 just looks right for the Dolphins, and Damien is trying to live up to the Ricky legacy of that jersey. He's not likely to be an 1,800 yard running back, but Damien looked good on Sunday.</p>
<p><b>Stock Down: <span>Philip Wheeler</span>, linebacker - </b>At this point, the Dolphins have to be considering a change at weakside linebacker, right? I mean, Wheeler is clearly the weak link at linebacker for Miami, with <span>Jelani Jenkins</span> breaking out on the string side and <span>Koa Misi</span> showing he can be a good middle linebacker, Wheeler is dragging down the corps on the weakside. I will not hold the unnecessary roughness penalty against Wheeler, because he was trying to lead with his shoulder on a receiver who was going to the ground and got called for a helmet-to-helmet hit. There was not a lot else he could have done on that play, but when Jenkins leads the team with seven tackles, Misi is one back at six, then Wheeler drops all the way down to just one tackle, there's a big hole that needs to be filled on the Miami defense.</p>
<p><b>Stock Up: <span>Ryan Tannehill</span>, quarterback </b>- It was not his best day, but Tannehill stood in there and fought on Sunday. He finished the day with a 27-for-38 for 207 yards, a touchdown and a pick, with three sacks. He had an 81.8 passer rating. Tannehill's play should have been enough for Miami to win this game. Add in the near touchdown pass to <span>Charles Clay</span>, and the Dolphins could have been in position to at least go to overtime, if not outright win the game. (On that, Clay did not drop that ball, it was a good pass breakup. You still want him to be able to make that catch, but it's not like he just let the ball fall on his own accord.) In comparison, Matthew Stafford was 25-for-40 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and a pick with three sacks and an 89.6 passer rating. Very even day between the two passers, and, giving all the pressure allowed early in the game, including nine quarterback hits, Tannehill's performance is worthy of a bump up in his stock rating.</p>
<p><b>Stock Down: <span>Daniel Thomas</span>, running back - </b>In a game in which Lamar Miller was not able to play fully, Thomas had a chance to step up and show us that 30 Daniel Thomas really is better than 33 Daniel Thomas. Instead, he finished with five carries for just 14 yards. He also lost a fumble, though it really was more of a good play by Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, who punched the ball out from behind than it was Thomas being careless with the ball. Where Damien Williams increased his stock during this game, Thomas hurt his.</p>
https://www.thephinsider.com/2014/11/10/7185845/dolphins-stock-watch-following-20-16-loss-to-lionsKevin Nogle2014-11-09T16:12:05-05:002014-11-09T16:12:05-05:00Dolphins at Lions: Detroit wins in final minute
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/i7YfbZAegCcupo2gdoya4lA-8CI=/0x0:3990x2660/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/43781322/20141109_lbm_af2_100.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions have completed a back-and-forth contest in Week 10 of the NFL season.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> have battled to a</p>
<p>The game started with Miami winning the coin toss and electing to defer. Detroit took the opening kick, and immediately began working down the field. Other than a <span>Cameron Wake</span> sack of Lions quarterback <span>Matthew Stafford</span>, the Dolphins defense could not find a way to stop the Detroit attack. They did eventually force a 4th-and-6, only to see Detroit run a fake punt and pick up 24 yards.</p>
<p>The drive continued, and the Dolphins continued to struggle to stop Detroit. Even when a defensive play for Miami went well, a penalty always seemed to be called. Wake was offsides on the third play of the drive, <span>Jared Odrick</span> was offsides three plays later, and <span>Philip Wheeler</span> was called for unnecessary roughness for a helmet-to-helmet hit two plays after the fake punt.</p>
<p>Miami was able to slow down the drive eventually, forcing a field goal from Detroit.</p>
<p>The Dolphins offense looked even worse than the defense, losing yards on a first down run by <span>Lamar Miller</span> and a sack of <span>Ryan Tannehill</span> on second down. On both plays, <span>Ndamukong Suh</span> blew up the offensive line, making the plays in the backfield. Miller would pick up five yards on third down, just to give <span>Brandon Fields</span> some punting space.</p>
<p>The Detroit drive on the next possession would last one play, when Stafford found <span>Calvin Johnson</span> 49 yards down the field for the touchdown.</p>
<p>The Lions took a 10-0 lead with four minutes remaining in the first quarter.</p>
<p>Getting the ball back did not held Miami, who again lost yards on two-of-three offensive plays. On first down, a reverse was dropped eight yards behind the line of scrimmage, a second down throw from Tannehill to <span>Jarvis Landry</span> gained six yards before Tannehill was sacked for a second time, this time for an 11-yard loss. <span>Ziggy Ansah</span> was the story for the Lions on the drive, recording both the tackle of a loss on the first down play and the sack on third down. Miami again had to punt.</p>
<p>Miami's defense started to find themselves, however, on the next drive, forcing Detroit into a three-and-out after a penalty on Calvin Johnson for offensive pass interference negated a 13-yard completion.</p>
<p>The Dolphins would end up punting on the next drive, though, after picking up a first down, then moving to a 4th-and-1 play when Miami ran their own fake punt. <span>Jordan Kovacs</span>, who was signed this week after an injury to <span>Michael Thomas</span> landed him on injured reserve, converted on the direct snap, but Miami was called for an illegal shift given nearly every member of the punt team was still moving at the snap. The Dolphins punted on the 4th-and-6 play.</p>
<p>The next drive would see the third attempted fake punt of the game, this time from Detroit. After moving 48 yards on six plays, the drive appeared to stall when the Lions again lined up to punt. This time, they attempted a throw to the gunner, but <span>Walt Aikens</span> quickly made the tackle and the Dolphins took over.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OiW05dvg0iJ/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<script src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p>The game got a little more odd on the next drive, when Miami moved 43 yards down to the Detroit 19-yard line, only to see Tannehill throw an interception. After a 70-yard return, Tannehill made the tackle as his head was being turned around on a facemask penalty. On 1st-and-10 from the Miami 31-yard line, Stafford looked for Johnson in the endzone, but cornerback <span>Brent Grimes</span> used his full vertical leap to go up and get the ball.</p>
<p>Miami then drove the field from their own 20-yard line down to the Lions' 5-yard line, only to have to settle for a field goal. The story of the drive, however, may be the injury to left tackle Branden Albert. On the first play, Albert's knee was rolled up, and he was carted off the field. Rookie right tackle <span>Ja'Wuan James</span> was moved to left tackle to replace Albert and <span>Dallas Thomas</span> moved from guard to tackle to fill in for James. Nate Garner replaced Thomas.</p>
<p>Detroit would kneel after the kickoff and the half would end with the Lions leading 10-3.</p>
<p>The second half did not start any better for Miami, who received the opening kickoff, only to see <span>Daniel Thomas</span> fumble on the second play. Ziggy Ansah made a great punch at the ball, knocking it loose for Suh to recover at the Detroit 44-yard line.</p>
<p>Detroit would do nothing after the turnover, though, gaining just three yards on five plays.</p>
<p>After a 30-yard punt and five yard return, with an additional 15 yards added for a personal foul late hit on returner Landry, MIami started with the ball at their own 43-yard line. They would start to find a rhythm on offense, with Tannehill connecting with <span>Charles Clay</span> and <span>Damien Williams</span> on the drive, as well as runs from Williams and Tannehill. After seven plays, Miami had gained 25 yards, with <span>Caleb Sturgis</span> connecting on a 50-yard field goal to pull to within four of the Lions.</p>
<p>Detroit would attempt to answer on their next possession, driving 53 yards on 12 plays. The highlight of the drive would be Miami's when, on a 42-yard field goal attempt, <span>Earl Mitchell</span> below up the protection and blocked the kick straight up the middle. <span>Dion Jordan</span> picked up the ball and returned it all the way to the Detroit 4-yard line, where, on the next play, Tannehill connected with <span>Mike Wallace</span> for the touchdown and a Dolphins lead.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<a href="http://www.thephinsider.com/2014/11/7/7172249/sacks-on-the-beach-t-shirt-available-now-from-breakingt">
<h2>"Sacks on the Beach" t-shirt now available</h2>
<img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/43613466/Miami-Dolphins-Sacks-on-the-Beach-BreakingT-Shirt.0.0_standard_783.0.jpg"> </a> <span>The Dolphins continued their season long abuse of opposing quarterbacks today against the Lions. Check out the t-shirt we have in their honor.</span>
</div>
<p>Detroit would take their next possession just prior to the end of the third period, trailing for the first time all day. Assisted by a <span>Jamar Taylor</span> facemask penalty, the Lions would move 50 yards, into Miami territory before <span>Cameron Wake</span> would come up with his second sack of the game, pulling down Stafford for a 9-yard loss. Detroit would settle for a 50-yard field goal from Prater, and the tie at 13 all.</p>
<p>The Dolphins would re-take the lead on the next possession. Eating up nearly eight minutes on the clock, the Dolphins worked through the air to move 70 yards, including several big receptions from Clay. At the end of the drive, however, Clay would not be able to come up with the reception in the endzone, and the Dolphins would settle for the 20-yard field goal from Sturgis.</p>
<p>Detroit and Miami would trade three-and-outs on their next two respective drives.</p>
<p>The Lions would piece together another scoring drive with their final possession, going 74 yards in 11 plays to take the four point lead. With just 29 seconds to play, the Dolphins would get the ball back at their own 20 yard line, but would not be able to do anything with it and they would drop the game 20-16.</p>
<p>Miami falls to 5-4 on the season, with a game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> on Thursday. The Lions improve to 7-2 and will face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> next Sunday.</p>
<p><b><i>To buy tickets, visit the <a href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=4292&awinaffid=173843&clickref=PreRec&p=http://www.ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com/NFL/" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">NFL Ticket Exchange</a>.</i></b></p>
https://www.thephinsider.com/2014/11/9/7182961/dolphins-at-lions-final-lions-come-back-to-win-20-16-in-final-minuteKevin Nogle2014-11-09T15:00:04-05:002014-11-09T15:00:04-05:00Ryan Tannehill injures ankle
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fE5QzSWiZSfzBEFanqsmGX5nNVQ=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/43777226/458699850.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Leon Halip</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been listed as probable to return with an ankle injury.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> have been hitting <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Dolphins</a> quarterback <span>Ryan Tannehill</span> all afternoon. Now, the third-year quarterback is listed on the injury report with an ankle issue.</p>
<p>His return is listed as probable.</p>
<p>Tannehill has had the ankle re-taped on the sideline and is working with offensive coordinator Bill Lazor on the sideline. He appears set to return to the game.</p>
<p>More of a concern than Tannehill's ability to return to today's game may be his ability to be ready for the team's next game. Miami will face the Buffalo Bills in just four days, facing their AFC East rivals on Thursday Night Football. Buffalo beat Miami earlier this year, making this game an important one in terms of playoff positioning.</p>
<p>The Lions currently lead the Dolphins 10-6 late in the third quarter, threatening to score again.</p>
<p>Tannehill is 18-for-25 for 142 yards with an interception so far today. He has a 69.1 passer rating.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE: </b>Tannehill did return to the game on the next Miami possession, throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace and giving the Dolphins their first lead of the day.</p>
https://www.thephinsider.com/miami-dolphins-injuries/2014/11/9/7182853/ryan-tannehill-injures-ankle-versus-lions-return-probableKevin Nogle2014-11-09T14:46:22-05:002014-11-09T14:46:22-05:00Interception of the Year. It's not even close.<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/nfl/status/531527243127062528">Interception of the Year. It's not even&nbsp;close.</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p></p></div>
https://www.thephinsider.com/2014/11/9/7182753/interception-of-the-year-its-not-even-closeKevin Nogle2014-11-09T14:36:49-05:002014-11-09T14:36:49-05:00Branden Albert leaves game on cart
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fQqRq3HVrhdKZpDcm6SYgE8t9eA=/0x300:3359x2539/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/43775742/20140617_jla_bm1_175.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Miami Dolphins appear to have lost offensive tackle Branden Albert to a knee injury.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> left tackle <span>Branden Albert</span> was carted off the field in the first half of the team's Week 10 contest with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>. Albert's right knee was rolled up during a first down play from the Dolphins' offense, and he immediately fell to the turf.</p>
<p>The Dolphins have listed Albert as "doubtful" to return, but there really does not appear to be a way the Pro Bowl tackle will return.</p>
<p>Rookie right tackle <span>Ja'Wuan James</span> slid across the line of scrimmage to replace Albert at left tackle, with <span>Dallas Thomas</span> replacing James at right tackle. Thomas, who started at left guard for Miami, was replaced by <span>Nate Garner</span>.</p>
<p>The loss of Albert is a big one for Miami. He was signed this offseason as the lockdown tackle, tasked to protect Ryan Tannehill's blindside after the Dolphins allowed 58 sacks in 2013. He was performing to the level of a Pro Bowler, a selection he earned in 2013 as a member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>. Miami's offensive line will look to better protect without their big man in the second half. The Detroit defensive line has had success getting after Tannehill early in the game, recording two sacks already.</p>
https://www.thephinsider.com/miami-dolphins-injuries/2014/11/9/7182483/branden-albert-injury-forces-dolphins-left-tackle-out-of-game-againstKevin Nogle2014-11-09T14:27:50-05:002014-11-09T14:27:50-05:00Lions lead 10-3 on Miami at half; 2nd half thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lOw5wV6jFdL8cAMky56A4R-a-zI=/0x0:3990x2660/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/43775118/20141109_lbm_aw3_055.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Miami Dolphins trail the Detroit Lions 10-3 at halftime.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Dolphins</a> are visiting the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> this afternoon, with the game reaching the halftime break.</p>
<p>The game started with Miami winning the coin toss and electing to defer. Detroit took the opening kick, and immediately began working down the field. Other than a <span>Cameron Wake</span> sack of Lions quarterback <span>Matthew Stafford</span>, the Dolphins defense could not find a way to stop the Detroit attack. They did eventually force a 4th-and-6, only to see Detroit run a fake punt and pick up 24 yards.</p>
<p>The drive continued, and the Dolphins continued to struggle to stop Detroit. Even when a defensive play for Miami went well, a penalty always seemed to be called. Wake was offsides on the third play of the drive, <span>Jared Odrick</span> was offsides three plays later, and <span>Philip Wheeler</span> was called for unnecessary roughness for a helmet-to-helmet hit two plays after the fake punt.</p>
<p>Miami was able to slow down the drive eventually, forcing a field goal from Detroit.</p>
<p>The Dolphins offense looked even worse than the defense, losing yards on a first down run by <span>Lamar Miller</span> and a sack of <span>Ryan Tannehill</span> on second down. On both plays, <span>Ndamukong Suh</span> blew up the offensive line, making the plays in the backfield. Miller would pick up five yards on third down, just to give <span>Brandon Fields</span> some punting space.</p>
<p>The Detroit drive on the next possession would last one play, when Stafford found <span>Calvin Johnson</span> 49 yards down the field for the touchdown.</p>
<p>The Lions took a 10-0 lead with four minutes remaining in the first quarter.</p>
<p>Getting the ball back did not held Miami, who again lost yards on two-of-three offensive plays. On first down, a reverse was dropped eight yards behind the line of scrimmage, a second down throw from Tannehill to <span>Jarvis Landry</span> gained six yards before Tannehill was sacked for a second time, this time for an 11-yard loss. <span>Ziggy Ansah</span> was the story for the Lions on the drive, recording both the tackle of a loss on the first down play and the sack on third down. Miami again had to punt.</p>
<p>Miami's defense started to find themselves, however, on the next drive, forcing Detroit into a three-and-out after a penalty on Calvin Johnson for offensive pass interference negated a 13-yard completion.</p>
<p>The Dolphins would end up punting on the next drive, though, after picking up a first down, then moving to a 4th-and-1 play when Miami ran their own fake punt. <span>Jordan Kovacs</span>, who was signed this week after an injury to <span>Michael Thomas</span> landed him on injured reserve, converted on the direct snap, but Miami was called for an illegal shift given nearly every member of the punt team was still moving at the snap. The Dolphins punted on the 4th-and-6 play.</p>
<p>The next drive would see the third attempted fake punt of the game, this time from Detroit. After moving 48 yards on six plays, the drive appeared to stall when the Lions again lined up to punt. This time, they attempted a throw to the gunner, but <span>Walt Aikens</span> quickly made the tackle and the Dolphins took over.</p>
<p>The game got a little more odd on the next drive, when Miami moved 43 yards down to the Detroit 19-yard line, only to see Tannehill throw an interception. After a 70-yard return, Tannehill made the tackle as his head was being turned around on a facemask penalty. On 1st-and-10 from the Miami 31-yard line, Stafford looked for Johnson in the endzone, but cornerback <span>Brent Grimes</span> used his full vertical leap to go up and get the ball.</p>
<p>Miami then drove the field from their own 20-yard line down to the Lions' 5-yard line, only to have to settle for a field goal. The story of the drive, however, may be the injury to left tackle Branden Albert. On the first play, Albert's knee was rolled up, and he was carted off the field. Rookie right tackle <span>Ja'Wuan James</span> was moved to left tackle to replace Albert and <span>Dallas Thomas</span> moved from guard to tackle to fill in for James. Nate Garner replaced Thomas.</p>
<p>Detroit would kneel after the kickoff and the half would end with the Lions leading 10-3.</p>
<p>Miami gets the ball to start the second half.</p>
https://www.thephinsider.com/2014/11/9/7181765/dolphins-at-lions-first-half-recap-fake-punts-and-interceptionsKevin Nogle2014-11-09T14:07:11-05:002014-11-09T14:07:11-05:00Brent Grimes with the crazy pick<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OiW05dvg0iJ/embed/simple" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>This is why the Miami Dolphins re-signed Brent Grimes this year. This exact play.</p></p></div>
https://www.thephinsider.com/2014/11/9/7182041/brent-grimes-with-the-crazy-pickKevin Nogle