Lions vs. Dolphins: players to watch, fixtures and issues, predictions

The Lions receivers have been the group's best position on the list all season. Golden Tate has always been his usual, and Kenny Golladay has consistently imposed himself as a major threat and a threat to the red zone. One of the spinoffs of Golladay's emergence, at least statistically, was Marvin Jones. Until now, he has been good with 50 yards or one touchdown in every game, but he has not yet managed to sneak as he had done during the off season of the year. 39; last year, while he was leading the NFL in yards per take. He had a few more drops than usual, and he simply did not contact Matthew Stafford on deep passes like the two did a year ago.

Miami is an offense that can score on a single coin in rare moments, and Lions would be able to respond to at least one of these people with a long, strong play on their side rather than relying on a long course of action. hot. and wet afternoon. Jones has this ability, and maybe a week spent on Deep Ball with Stafford could help unlock a weapon that Detroit will need to make a legitimate push for the playoffs this season.

When Diggs showed his strength last time, playing against the Packers with a fractured and productive hand club, recording 10 tackles in the win. He had some time to rest during the week off, although the injury probably took more than that. He has played an important role in Matt Patricia's hybrid defense so far, and he is likely to play a bigger role Sunday in the defense of a Dolphins-receiving corps leading the league with a yardage average after the restart. Albert Wilson and Kenny Stills both have huge potential for attack, and Detroit will be more stressed to handle this week with Jamal Agnew, a knee injury. The Lions must set a plan for the nickel match and the Diggs experience before moving on to safety could make him a great candidate. Whether he plays near the line of scrimmage or in the back, he will always be a central element in trying to stop the games that the Miami receivers play with the ball in their hands.

The Lions have 17 sacks of the season, but almost all have arrived thanks to tight coverage, since they also rank 31st in terms of pressure rate. With Ezekiel Ansah angry – he still practices in a limited way and could play or not play this week – the only reliable force on the front is Da & Shawn Hand. Alabama's fourth-round product won through various aspects of the hybrid look, and he had his best game as a professional last time, when he recorded a bag and recovered a breakaway against Aaron Rodgers. The Dolphins will try to make the game plan as easy as possible for substitute quarterback Brock Osweiler, but he will have some financial setbacks for which he will have to play. The disruption will be the key to gaining ground in these situations, and Hand may well be the best candidate Detroit has to provide.

Albert Wilson made the headlines this week when he came out and told reporters that he was the league's best catcher after the league. This created a particular excitement at Allen Park, where Golden Tate has long been called the "King YAC". Tate praised Wilson and his current season, but said you do not deserve this crown after only six games. Anyway, Wilson made this comment a target on the back and he deserved it with his game this season, especially last Sunday, when he conceded 75 and 43 yard passes at home in the fourth quarter to mark a winning return. Dolphins. He is still familiar with Osweiler, but Dolphins coach Adam Gase is doing a remarkable job of using cluster formations to create game selections and screens to allow players like Wilson to play in space. Detroit has had some second-level problems tackling ball managers this season, and if they lose Wilson, it could create some of those decisive games that helped the Dolphins defeat the Bears.

Matt Patricia spent this week talking about the rush of the Dolphins and how they use it to disrupt the passes and lead the league to interceptions. Their pressure and dismissal rate have not been really special this year, but Patricia highlights the fear of quarterbacks when they see established attackers like Robert Quinn and Cameron Wake reducing them. Wake's status is outstanding, but Quinn will be the guy who often shouts from the left side to try to harass Stafford. The Pro Bowler, who has already won two games, has only one bag this year, but has an established reputation for victory with speed. Taylor Decker had moments when he gave up some accelerations, though he improved. It will be a good one-on-one test this week, and if Decker can hold on, it should allow Detroit's deep reception team to play a few pieces. If not, that's where problems can start on the road, including those that Dolphins are so good at getting.

Here are two burning questions that Lions must answer this week: