5 takeaways from Lions’ 19-9 win against Dolphins

Entering Week 9 on a three-game winning streak, the Detroit Lions flew down south to face the Miami Dolphins. The Lions offense was expected to have a big game, but was held to just 19 points against a Dolphins defense that gave them fits. Those 19 points were enough in the end as Detroit's defense held Miami to just nine points.

Here are my five takeaways from the Lions' victory against the Dolphins.

Miles Frazier gets his first career start

The biggest storyline was left guard Christian Mahogany not getting the start. He did play on special teams, so it wasn't an injury. The CBS broadcast said the reason was a "coaching decision." With him not getting the start, the team called on backup guard Miles Frazier to play left guard.

After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell was asked about this and explained why Frazier got the start.

"That was team rules (for) Mahogany. It was really that simple," Campbell said. "Miles deserved his opportunity, so he got it. Doesn't mean it stays that way, but that was the way it was going to be today."

Hopefully Mahogany can get back on the team's good side, or else he could cost himself not just a job, but a possible contract extension in the future.

Detroit's offensive line struggled against a struggling Miami defense. Frazier was a big part of the problem, missing blocks repeatedly and struggling to hold his blocks, but he wasn't the only culprit. Right tackle Blake Miller had his worst game of the season, allowing tons of pressure and looking like a rookie.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff was sacked three times, and he threw his second interception of the season when Dolphins EDGE Josh Uche hit him as he threw. Goff was also hit as he threw another pass that was initially ruled a fumble recovered by the Dolphins for a touchdown, but it was overturned to an incomplete pass. Goff faced pressure for most of the game, and it hurt the offense.

In the running game, running back Jahmyr Gibbs was limited in his lanes, rushing 20 times for 74 yards and was the only player to find the end zone. We have seen what this team looks like when the offensive line struggles—look back at the 2025 season. Hopefully Mahogany and backup center Cade Mays can return for the trip to Germany next week, as performances like this won't win you many games.

The calls for firing Kelvin Sheppard have quieted down

After a long September where the Lions' defense was a liability, it has become an asset in their last four games. They allowed 21 points against the Arizona Cardinals, but held the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Miami Dolphins to 16, 15, and nine points respectively. This defense is creating turnovers, generating pressure, and stopping the running game.

Remember when fans were clamoring for Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to be fired? This team was also without starting EDGE DJ Wonnum, cornerback D.J. Reed, and linebacker Jack Campbell. The good news is Wonnum and Reed should be back soon, and safety Kerby Joseph is getting closer to returning. With the play improving and players returning from injury soon, this defense is starting to turn a corner.

Down multiple starters, the defense performed well overall, holding Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II to 55 yards, just 3.4 yards per carry. Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis faced pressure for most of the game, getting sacked three times as rookie EDGE Derrick Moore picked up the first and second sacks of his NFL career.

When Willis had time to throw, he didn't look that good. He had some nice plays removed because of the offense's lack of discipline, but he was held to 128 passing yards and seven rushing yards. Lions safety Chuck Clark also picked him off, his second of the year.

Miami's penalties helped Detroit in a big way

While the Lions defense played well, they got bailed out a few times by the Dolphins' own mistakes. Whether it was a false start, offensive pass interference, or holding, the Dolphins kept shooting themselves in the foot. Willis had a great 50+ yard throw overturned for holding, and a few successful runs by Gordon were wiped away as well. If Detroit couldn't stop them, the Dolphins stopped themselves.

If Miami didn't get called for as many flags as they did, this game could've been a lot closer, or possibly Miami could've won this game. It's hard to win football games when you are beating yourself, and that is what Miami did, getting 11 penalties for 87 yards.

On offense, the Lions leaned on kicker Jake Bates. Bates made all four field goal attempts, the longest from 43 yards. He did make a mistake on kickoff where he didn't land it in the landing zone, but besides that, he was the best player for the Lions when it came to putting points on the board. It helps having a kicker you can rely on to put up points and make drives worthwhile when the offense can't find the end zone.