We’re moving through the NFL Preseason at lightning speed. Saturday brings us a loaded afternoon slate, including a showdown between the Miami Dolphins and the Detroit Lions.
The Dolphins are -1.5 favorites on the road in this game on DraftKings Sportsbook. Miami is a -120 favorite on the Moneyline with the total set at 37.5 points. Let’s get into a preview, prediction, and pick for this Dolphins-Lions game.
Lions vs. Dolphins preview, prediction
Dolphins Overview
Things are very much in flux in Miami. Three years of Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa running the show have resulted in zero playoff wins, so there is a lot on the line this year. It’s going to be an essential preseason to set the tone for what feels like a make-or-break campaign.
The backup QB battle is well underway. Miami brought in former Jets bust Zach Wilson to compete with seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers to be Tua’s understudy. The competition is heavily in favor of Wilson after Ewers completed just five of 18 passes and lost two fumbles in Week 1 of the preseason. With Tagovailoa’s lengthy injury history, the volatility of the QB2 spot could be a pressure point for the Dolphins in 2025.
Miami has some battles in the skill spots to settle as well. Receiver spots behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are up for grabs. Malik Washington has a leg up for the WR3 spot, but Nick Westbrook-Ikhine could win the place with a strong showing. Former Seahawks pick Dee Eskridge threw his hat in the ring as well. They also have to settle the starting guard spots between some free agent signings and second-round rookie Jonah Savaiinaea.
Their running back depth chart brings intrigue as well. De’Von Achane is locked into the starting spot but has not shown the ability to handle an actual workhorse load. Jaylen Wright had a fine rookie year but left much to be desired. Ollie Gordon II arrives off a down year at Oklahoma State after leading the nation in rushing yards during his 2023 season. How their backup spots shake out will be important if Achane needs regular spelling in McDaniels’ offense.
Defense is where things are genuinely up for grabs. Eight of the 10 players listed as starters or backups in their secondary just arrived this year. After Jalen Ramsey’s departure, they have much to sort out at the cornerback positions. A lot will be decided on the back end in the next two weeks. Luckily for the defensive staff, their front seven is rock-solid in terms of hierarchy.
Lions Overview
The Lions have little to settle on offense. 27-year-old backup quarterback Hendon Hooker has some competition in his second NFL season. Yes, you read that right, he’s 27 in his second year. Welcome to the new world. Journeyman backup Kyle Allen was brought in to sharpen their No. 2 spot. Other than a possible tune-up drive or two for Jared Goff, it’ll be a true battle between those two.
Other than some potential competition at left guard, Detroit only has backup spots to settle. Rookies Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett will compete with Kalif Raymond, Ronnie Bell, and Malik Taylor for rotational snaps behind their starters. The tight end and running back spots are as solid as can be. The NFL’s best offense from 2024 has little to do besides stay healthy and tune themselves up.
There’s more left uncertain on the defensive side of the ball. Other than Aidan Hutchinson, the defensive line is in flux. DT Alim McNeill is expected to miss 1-2 months of action recovering from a torn ACL. First-round DT Tyleik Williams and D.J. Reader should open the season over the middle, but one has to sit when McNeill returns. The DE role opposite Hutchinson is in flux as well.
While the linebacker and safety spots are solidified, they have a hierarchy to figure out at cornerback. It’s expected that free agent signee D.J. Reed will have a starting spot alongside Terrion Arnold with Amik Robertson in nickel packages. But Detroit beefed up its backups in a big way during the offseason. This preseason will help them settle the order of their backups.
Lions vs. Dolphins pick, best bet
This feels like a classic case of an unsettled team with plenty of questions vs. a settled team just looking to survive the exhibition slate healthy. That doesn’t give the Dolphins much of an edge here.
The Lions still boast superior depth in addition to the top-end talent. Their quarterback duo won’t light the world on fire, but they won’t light wins on fire either. That’s the nature of Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers. With Detroit settling some battles on the outside of the defense, these two turnover-prone quarterbacks won’t be cut much slack. I expect their volatility to lose Miami the game.
