Chris Johnson had the first interception of his career in the first quarter. It was off of a tipped pass by Jared Goff of the Lions caused by Josh Uche. The Dolphins have three rookies with an interception this season, which has never happened before. Jacob Rodriguez and Michael Taaffe also entered the game with interceptions.
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Grade: B
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Chris Johnson (3) runs with the ball after an interception during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
Jacob Rodriguez had a tackle for loss for Miami in the first half. It was actually credited as Rodriguez’s first sack as he was chasing Jared Goff out of bounds for no gain.
As usual, Rodriguez was among Miami’s top tacklers on Sunday.
Grade: B
Chris Bell could not complete the catch on a short-breaking in-route from Malik Willis.
The catch percentage for Bell has not been as high as it needs to be in the first half of this season.
Grade: C+
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Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Josh Uche (9) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Josh Uche (9) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive line Zach Sieler (92) and safety Michael Taaffe (16) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive line Zach Sieler (92) and defensive end Josh Uche (9) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
(David Santiago, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive line Zach Sieler (92) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
(David Santiago, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) drops back to pass during the first half against the Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) hands off to running back Ollie Gordon II (0) during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) carries the ball during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
(David Santiago, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, left,
talks with former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino before the game between the Detroit Lions and the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
(David Santiago, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) arrives in linebacker Jack Campbell’s jersey ahead of the game against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Detroit Lions fans hold signs to show love for injured linebacker Jack Campbell ahead of the game between Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Caleb Douglas skied high for a 20-yard catch from Malik Willis in the first quarter.
Douglas drew a pass interference call on third down in the third quarter.
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Douglas moved the chains with an 11-yard catch in the third quarter.
Douglas converted yet another first down with a 12-yard catch.
Douglas is Miami’s best receiver at this time.
Douglas had a fourth-quarter drop on fourth down.
Grade: B+
A holding penalty on rookie tight end Will Kacmarek on Aidan Hutchinson negated a deep completion from Malik Willis to Kevin Coleman that would have gone for 51 yards.
Coleman, Jr. gained 16 yards on a reverse pitch. Miami is correctly involving the dynamic Coleman more. Coleman played at Jackson State, Louisville, Mississippi State and Missouri.
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Grade: B
Amon-Ra St. Brown caught a pass in front of Michael Taaffe, who was in zone coverage.
Miami has given up so many catches and so many yards this season. But part of it is by design. The entire plan is geared around limiting explosive plays.
Grade: B
Michael Taaffe was involved in coverage on some pass plays. But Miami played largely zone and was successful in its attempt to simply limit explosive Lions pass plays.
