The Miami Dolphins are on their first win streak this season, but hanging on to it may prove to be difficult when they take on the Detroit Lions in Ford Field. The Lions are fresh off their bye week and may benefit from the return of star wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Will a rejuvenated Detroit snap the Dolphins’ win streak?
Want more of the NFL to satisfy your football cravings? Check out our complete picks and predictions for Week 10 of the 2014 NFL season. In the meantime, boost your fantasy teams with our look at fantasy football experts’ recommended pick ups and drops for Week 10.
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Miami Dolphins vs. Detroit Lions Preview
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
When: Sunday, November 9, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Miami Dolphins (+2.5) at Detroit Lions (-2.5); total 43.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins were sensational in a 37-0 shutout of the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. The win improved the Dolphins to 3-0 SU/ATS in their last three games.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill went 24 for 34 for 288 yards and threw touchdowns to three different receivers, Charles Clay, Jarvis Landry and Rishard Matthews.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Despite their big game in Week 9, Tannehill and his receiving corps may struggle in this game as they will be up against the Detroit Lions’ pass defense, which ranks amongst the best in the NFL (216.4 yards allowed per game).
On the ground, the Dolphins have an efficient running back in Lamar Miller, who runs for 4.9 yards per carry. While Miller may not be a valuable weapon in the open field against Detroit’s rushing defense (74 yards allowed per game, second in the league), he may be a threat in the red zone with all five of his touchdowns coming from nine yards or less.
Defensively, cornerback Brent Grimes had two interceptions against San Diego’s Philip Rivers in Week 9. Grimes now has three interceptions in his last two games. Meanwhile, Miami’s pass rush was able to rack up four sacks against Rivers, one of which came from defensive end Cameron Wake.
Wake has accumulated 4.5 sacks in a four-game sack streak. He should be able to put Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford under pressure in the pocket for most of the game. Stafford has been sacked the most (24) among all quarterbacks in the NFL this season.
The total has gone under in the Dolphins’ last three games.
Betting on the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions came away with an improbable come-from-behind, 22-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in their Week 8 showdown in London. Down 21-0 in the first half, the Lions scored all 22 of their points in the second half, including the game-winning, last-second 48-yard field goal from Matt Prater. They return to Ford Field, where they’re 0-2 ATS in their last two home games, to take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 10.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford went 9 for 21 for 86 yards and an interception in the first half, and then passed for 239 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. The two scores gave Stafford the record for most career touchdown passes as a Lions quarterback (120).
Wide receiver Golden Tate caught seven passes for 151 yards and had a 59-yard scoring pass in the third quarter. Tate is a threat to opposing secondaries with his excellent playmaking (four 100-yard performances in his last five games). He may be able to challenge Miami’s second-ranked pass defense (allowing 201.1 yards per game).
The Lions may get their MVP back for this one as Calvin Johnson “definitely expects to play” in Week 10 after being sidelined for three games. Johnson had 329 yards and two touchdowns in the three games he played healthy this season.
On the other side of the ball, the Lions are the best in the league in terms of scoring defense, limiting opponents to 15.8 points per game, but struggled in containing Atlanta for the first half in their Week 8 showdown. They’ll need to play some tighter defense, especially going against Miami’s offense, which has averaged 26.4 points per contest.
Still, if the Lions pass defense (216.4 yards allowed per game) plays up to standard, expect them to force Ryan Tannehill to come up with empty possessions much like he did against Jacksonville’s defense in Week 8, passing for 196 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The total has gone under in four of the Lions’ last five games.
Writer’s Prediction
A healthy Calvin Johnson gives the Detroit Lions all the cogs they need to win comfortably. Take the Lions (-2.5) to win and cover at home. Create a betting account now and make football games even more exciting by backing your favorite teams.
