The Detroit Lions beat the Miami Dolphins 19–9 on Sunday, November 8, relying on four Jake Bates field goals, a Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown run and a defense that kept Miami out of the end zone.
Detroit improved to 6–2 with its fourth consecutive victory. The Dolphins fell to 1–7 after the game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Neither offense scored a touchdown in the first half. Bates supplied Detroit’s first six points, and the Lions went into halftime ahead 6–3. A third field goal early in the third quarter widened the margin before Miami again pulled within three.
The game’s only touchdown came with 1:20 left in the third quarter. Gibbs took a pitch on fourth down and ran eight yards for the score, finishing a six-play, 65-yard possession that gave Detroit a 16–6 lead.
Miami reduced the deficit with another field goal in the fourth quarter, but Detroit responded with a drive ending in Bates’ 43-yard kick with 4:28 remaining. That restored a two-score margin and completed the scoring.
Gibbs finished with 74 yards on 20 carries. Jared Goff completed 17 of 25 passes for 170 yards and an interception. Amon-Ra St. Brown led Detroit’s receivers with eight catches for 86 yards.
The defense helped Detroit overcome an afternoon when its offense repeatedly settled for kicks. The Lions played without several starters, including linebacker Jack Campbell, but intercepted Malik Willis and pressured the Miami quarterback throughout the game.
Willis finished with 128 passing yards. Miami managed 77 rushing yards and could not produce the touchdown it needed to close the gap late.