NOVEMBER 9, 2026 | 7:30 AM ET
Pompano Beach, Florida — The offense that once overwhelmed opponents with explosive plays has suddenly needed rescuing, and Detroit’s defense has responded with its strongest four-game stretch in years. Sunday’s 19-9 victory over Miami extended the Lions’ winning streak to four games and improved their record to 6-2. Detroit delivered another outstanding defensive performance without its captain and leader, Jack Campbell, while the offense continued struggling with protection and finishing drives.
The Lions have held four consecutive opponents to 21 points or fewer for the first time since 2016, surrendering 62 combined points and averaging 15.5 per game. Three consecutive opponents have scored 17 or fewer points, something Detroit hadn’t accomplished within a single season since 2021.
Question: Are we still firing Kelvin Sheppard?
DEFENSIVE EXECUTION CONTINUES
Miami entered Sunday’s contest with the NFL’s 11th-ranked rushing attack. Detroit limited the Dolphins to 77 rushing yards on 21 attempts, an average of 3.7 yards per carry. Miami converted just four of 12 third downs, failed to score a touchdown and surrendered three sacks.
The performance carried even greater significance as the Linebackers showed up wearing #46, and Detroit took the field without its fearless leader and defensive captain for the 1st time of his NFL career. You have to imagine Jack was smiling after this one. Jack Campbell will likely miss the balance of the season after sustaining a serious neck injury the week prior.
Derrick Barnes assumed responsibility for communicating defensive calls, while Malcolm Rodriguez moved into the MIKE linebacker role and led Detroit with eight tackles and a pass defended. Barnes contributed a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit, helping the Lions maintain their defensive intensity despite Campbell’s absence.
Detroit’s defensive front generated the pressure necessary to support those personnel adjustments. Rookie Derrick Moore recorded the first two sacks of his NFL career while filling in for injured edge defender DJ Wonnum. Alim McNeill added another sack, increasing his season total to a career-high 5.5.
