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5 Bold Predictions For Dolphins vs. Lions

5 Bold Predictions For Dolphins vs. Lions

Theo Riddick Detroit Lions
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In one of the most intriguing matchups of the season thus far, the streaking Miami Dolphins pay a visit to the Motor City to face the Detroit Lions. The Dolphins are hot off of a 37-0 shellacking of the San Diego Chargers, and the Lions are fully rested after a bye week. Here are five bold predictions for the inter-conference showdown.

5. Lions' Passing Game Won’t Back Down From Challenge

Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

5. Lions' Passing Game Won’t Back Down From Challenge

Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The likely return of Calvin Johnson is all well and good, but the Lions have their work cut out for them against the league’s second-best pass defense. However, Johnson and Golden Tate will be up to the task against Fins corners Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan. Look for Detroit’s top two receivers to each surpass 100 yards receiving.

4. Louis Delmas Will Get Revenge

Louis Delmas Miami Dolphins
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

4. Louis Delmas Will Get Revenge

Louis Delmas Miami Dolphins
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

After being released by the Lions this offseason, Delmas is having himself a very nice year with the Dolphins -- 29 combined tackles, a sack, a pick, and a touchdown. The sixth-year man would like nothing more than to lay a hit on one of his old teammates or pick off his former quarterback. Mark these words: Delmas will be in on the action early and often Sunday.

3. Jarvis Landry Will Break Out

Jarvis Landry Miami Dolphins
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jarvis Landry Will Break Out

Jarvis Landry Miami Dolphins
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The promising rookie wide receiver scored a highlight reel touchdown against the Chargers last week, but he has yet to eclipse 75 yards receiving in a single game. Landry will find holes in the secondary despite the fact that Detroit fields the NFL’s fourth-best pass defense, taking advantage of the attention paid to Mike Wallace.

2. Front Sevens Will Combine For 9 Sacks

Cameron Wake Miami Dolphins
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

2. Front Sevens Will Combine For 9 Sacks

Cameron Wake Miami Dolphins
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Both of these teams know how to sack the quarterback. The Dolphins rank fifth in the league with 25 sacks, led by Cameron Wake’s 6.5; the Lions come in at ninth with 23 takedowns, led by Ezekiel Ansah’s 4.5. When Stafford and Ryan Tannehill aren’t throwing the ball downfield for big gains, they will be getting dragged down a combined nine times.

1. Lions Will Prevail in Shootout

Matthew Stafford Detroit Lions
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

1. Lions Will Prevail in Shootout

Matthew Stafford Detroit Lions
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

A back-and-forth affair will culminate in a fourth-quarter push by the Lions. The return of Calvin Johnson will breathe new life into an already clicking Lions offense, and a costly Tannehill interception in the final minutes will doom the Dolphins.
Final Score: Lions 38, Dolphins 34

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