by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Oct 27, 2022
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Where to watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Dolphins -3.5
FanDuel: Dolphins -3.5
BetMGM: Dolphins -3.5
Caesars: Dolphins -3.5
Season record
Dolphins: 4-3
Lions: 1-5
If this were a 16-game season, we’d be rejoicing that we’re at the halfway mark, which I guess we still are at this point? Not quite sure, but alas, here we are at the halfway mark and things are topsy turvy. The Buccaneers are below .500. The Packers are below .500. The NFC East has a three-team race that includes the Giants not knowing how to lose. What in the world is going to happen this week? One thing we can assure you is if Al McMordie continues on his 8-4-0 run over the last week, you’re also looking up at the halfway mark if you believe in our champion handicappers. Want to get in on this? Go to our Best Bets page at bigal.com and get ready for an exciting week of football.
Dolphins - Lions preview, analysis and prediction
Last week
Dolphins: won 16-10 vs. Steelers
Lions: lost 24-6 at Cowboys
The Miami Dolphins snapped their three-game losing streak on Sunday with a 16-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, all with the help of getting Tua Tagovailoa back. The Dolphins’ young quarterback, who got off to an incredible start to the season before dealing with concussion issues – that were not helped because of his organization – went 21 of 35 for 261 yards and a touchdown in his return to the lineup. Clearly, the Dolphins needed Tua back and he delivered in a huge way. His 92.7 quarterback rating was for the fourth time in five starts this season. If there was time for Tua to deliver against the NFC, it would be now. He’s 5-1 all-time with 11 touchdowns to just three interceptions against NFC teams. Tyreek Hill had seven catches for 72 yards against the Steelers, and running back Raheem Mostert had 109 yards from scrimmage and the lone touchdown reception via Tagovailoa. Jaylen Waddle had a tema-high 88 receiving yards to lead an offense that should be much improved with another week under the belt for Tua. The Dolphins’ defense also did its job on Kenny Pickett, with linebacker Jaelan Phillips leading the way with eight tackles, two for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Corner Justin Bethel also got into the action with seven tackles and a pick.
The Miami Dolphins snapped their three-game losing streak on Sunday with a 16-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, all with the help of getting Tua Tagovailoa back. The Dolphins’ young quarterback, who got off to an incredible start to the season before dealing with concussion issues – that were not helped because of his organization – went 21 of 35 for 261 yards and a touchdown in his return to the lineup. Clearly, the Dolphins needed Tua back and he delivered in a huge way. His 92.7 quarterback rating was for the fourth time in five starts this season. If there was time for Tua to deliver against the NFC, it would be now. He’s 5-1 all-time with 11 touchdowns to just three interceptions against NFC teams. Tyreek Hill had seven catches for 72 yards against the Steelers, and running back Raheem Mostert had 109 yards from scrimmage and the lone touchdown reception via Tagovailoa. Jaylen Waddle had a tema-high 88 receiving yards to lead an offense that should be much improved with another week under the belt for Tua. The Dolphins’ defense also did its job on Kenny Pickett, with linebacker Jaelan Phillips leading the way with eight tackles, two for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Corner Justin Bethel also got into the action with seven tackles and a pick.
"It's not an easy thing to do," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. "We were on a Thursday night game in Cincinnati when he last played. Those games, you don't have full-speed practices. So his last full-speed practice was before the Buffalo game, which was the third game of the season. It's to his credit."
The once-promising start to the season for the Detroit Lions has suddenly gone up in smoke. The Lions are coming off their fourth consecutive loss, 24-6 at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys in AT&T Stadium. To the credit of the Lions, that game against Dallas was close for most of it and the Lions even led 6-3 at the half. Detroit just ran out of gas and couldn’t contain the Dallas running game. Jared Goff completed 21 of 26 for 228 yards, but threw two interceptions and didn’t get across the goal line. Running back Jamaal Williams ran for 79 yards to pace the offense, but the Lions also fell behind the 8-ball with Amon-Ra St. Brown going down with an injury very early into the game. Aidan Hutchinson got back into the sack column this week with the No. 2 overall pick recording 1.5. But it’s going to come down to Goff this week, and fortunately he’s been tremendous at home. In three home starts, Goff has 849 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. Unfortunately, the Lions can’t play every game at Ford Field because that would be just against NFL rules and such.
"I'm frustrated because we're losing, just like I was last year," said Lions coach Dan Campbell, whose record as Detroit's coach dropped to 4-18-1. "But I'm not down, I'm not losing confidence. I'm not going to go hide in a corner."
Prediction
A healthy Tua changes everything for the Dolphins. It changes how they are perceived in the AFC East, it changes how they can be in the playoffs, and it changes how the Tua-Tyreek duo can impact a game. The Lions have scored a grand total of six points in their last two games combined and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Miami’s defense is tough and somehow kept the Dolphins in games when Tua was out. Give me Miami in a runaway. Dolphins by 17
Betting trends
Dolphins are 9-8 ATS in the last 17 as a favorite.
Dolphins are 2-9 ATS in October the last three seasons.
Dolphins are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 off two straight unders.
Lions are 10-6 ATS in their last 16 as home underdogs.
Lions are 4-6 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games.
Lions are 11-8 ATS in their last 19 home games.
Statistical leaders
Dolphins:
Passing: Tua Tagovailoa -- 1,296 yards, 9 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Raheem Mostert -- 388 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Tyreek Hill -- 773 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Jaelan Phillips -- 3 sacks
Lions:
Passing: Jared Goff -- 1,583 yards, 11 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: Jamaal Williams -- 411 yards, 6 TD
Receiving: Amon-Ra St. Brown -- 275 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Aidan Hutchinson -- 4.5 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
