Dolphins vs. Lions: Breaking Down Detroit's Game Plan

After a much-needed bye week the Detroit Lions return to the field to face the red-hot Miami Dolphins.

What: Miami Dolphins (5-3) at Detroit Lions (6-2)

When: Sunday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS, Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts on the call

Both teams have won three games in a row. Detroit is 3-1 at home, but the Dolphins have proven effective on the road in winning three of four as well.

Their tour-de-force performance in their 37-0 Week 9 thumping of the San Diego Chargers highlights how dangerous these Dolphins have become. It was one of the most complete, impressive games in recent franchise history.

Offensively, Ryan Tannehill is really coming into his own at quarterback. He has looked increasingly confident, comfortable and in command of offensive coordinator Bill Lazor's creative system. The third-year signal-calle was almost perfect in eviscerating the Chargers defense last week. 

Note the barrage of crossing routes and delayed releases in that video of every Tannehill completion last week from NFL.com. Miami is very good at creating openings for its receivers, and Tannehill has excellent accuracy when he can step into his throw confidently. 

The hot streak really started in their 27-14 road win over the Chicago Bears back in Week 7. 

Tannehill's mobility presented a real problem for Chicago, and the Lions need to be wary of his running ability. Here's a play where Tannehill exploited the Bears with his legs.

NFL Game Rewind

From the shotgun the quarterback sees the deep safeties, the clustered linebackers and a lot of potential real estate to his right. Tannehill checks into a designed run, calling his own number.

NFL Game Rewind

A well-executed play fake holds both linebackers, even causing the one to the play side to drift farther away from the alley Tannehill is about to attack. Wideout Brian Hartline streaks up the field to pull the cornerback away.

It's a footrace between Tannehill and the linebacker, and the quarterback demonstrates the speed and acceleration that made him a very accomplished wide receiver back at Texas A&M. He picks up 13 yards, and the Bears limited it to that only because of Hartline's lousy blocking effort. 

Detroit has a fantastic run defense, but it will be challenged by Miami's read-option propensity on plays like this. The linebackers and defensive ends must be disciplined and not overrun their assignments. 

Miami's own defense is quite good in its own right. Their rankings are nearly as impressive as Detroit's:

	Passing Yards Per Game (rank)	Sack Percentage	Yards Per Carry	Points Per Game
Lions	216.4 (5th)	7.92 (5th)	3.3 (2nd)	15.8 (1st)
Dolphins	201.1 (2nd)	8.01 (4th)	4.0 (10th)	18.9 (3rd)

The Dolphins lean on a strong pass rush and a rangy secondary to control the passing game. Cameron Wake is the progenitor of the entire process. He's arguably the best pass-rusher in the NFL right now. 

He has been a human highlight reel this season, racking up seven sacks, nine QB hits and 22 QB hurries per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). His incredible burst around the edge makes life miserable for offensive tackles.

He's too quick for most tackles, as Bleacher Report's Ian Wharton pointed out graphically:

"

Cam Wake at his finest http://t.co/hCfogNVTPl

— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) November 5, 2014"

On the plus side for Detroit, the Lions offensive line will be back to full strength for Sunday's game. 

"

Lions RT LaAdrian Waddle said he's fully cleared from his concussion and will play Sunday.

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) November 5, 2014"

While Waddle hasn't been great this year, his presence at right tackle gives Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford a fighting chance against Wake. A tight end and/or fullback will be needed to help the second-year tackle. Rolling extra protection toward Wake's side is an imperative.

The problem is that Wake is not a lone wolf. He's got several talented partners in crime, none more so than Olivier Vernon. Philip Rivers found that out the hard way on this play last week.

If you thought that was Wake screaming past the hapless offensive tackle for the strip-sack, you are forgiven. Yet that was Vernon.

One key to beating the speed off the edge is for Stafford to get the ball out quickly. He's not very good under pressure; PFF has him ranked 26th out of 28 qualifying quarterbacks in completion percentage while pressured. 

San Diego did show a pulse on offense when it went with a quick screen, a play the Lions have run effectively. When looking at the Chargers personnel here, try to envision Golden Tate catching the pass with Calvin Johnson and Jeremy Ross in front. 

NFL Game Rewind

The key here is Rivers quickly noticing the defensive alignment. There are just two corners up on the bunched trio of receivers. The safeties are playing a two-deep look well off the ball, and both linebackers are inside the tackle box. 

This is an obvious time to throw the screen, and the Chargers execute it. The ball is out of Rivers' hand almost immediately after he provides a cursory look deep to hold the defensive help an extra beat.

NFL Game Rewind

Receiver Keenan Allen gets one good block and makes the first tackler miss after that, picking up 14 yards before getting tackled. Plays like this neutralize the Miami pass rush.

They also serve the purpose of getting the ball into a playmaker's hands with room to operate. Tate has proven he's a dynamo over the last few weeks. This time he'll have a lot more help with Johnson, Reggie Bush and perhaps even Eric Ebron back in the lineup.

This will not be an easy win for Detroit. The current line at Oddshark has the Lions favored by two points, and that seems fair. Getting so many offensive starters back in the lineup after the long bye should reinvigorate the Detroit offense, but they'll need to be sharp right away against a very game Dolphins team.