The Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins finally squared off on Saturday afternoon after a week of joint practices against one another. Those practices, as you've probably heard, were very intense and quite lopsided in the Lions' favor. The crowd at Ford Field was loud for what was more or less an inconsequential football game between these two squads on Saturday, helping to maintain that momentum from practice.
The game ended up being won by the Dolphins, though, finally giving them some reprieve after being outright embarrassed by the Lions' first team in joint practice throughout the week. Good news for Miami, as well: Quinn Ewers looked solid.
The Lions had a few standouts from this contest, as well as a few featured hiccups from one unit that completely dragged down a player in major need of a huge game. Let's dive into what worked and what didn't in Detroit's second to last audition for the 53-man roster.
Winners and losers from Lions' TKTK against Dolphins
Winner: Grant Stuard
You can't say enough good things about Stuard's preseason. The fourth year linebacker has suddenly become the perfect solution for the Lions' lack of Malcolm Rodriguez to start the season, if the team does decide to slot him into that backup role behind Alex Anzalone. Stuard finished up the Lions' third preseason game with four solo tackles and numerous violent hits that you could hear from home.
Stuard is just one of those defenders that likes to hit and doesn't shy away from contact. That's who you want setting an example for the younger second and third teamers he's playing with in these contests.
Winner: Kyle Allen
Despite just one score, Allen accomplished the one thing Dan Campbell has wanted his signal callers to do this preseason: protect the football. Whenever Allen felt pressure in the first half, he just tucked the ball and prepared to scramble or slide. He did a good job of recognizing when a play was dead and just focusing on protecting the rock.
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In addition to his zero turnovers, he put up a 14-17 half with 124 passing yards and a 136.3 QBR to show for it, and capped off his start with an über-impressive two minute drill that ended with an spectacular touchdown catch by rookie Isaac TeSlaa.
What helped his cause even further was the shaky performance from Hendon Hooker to begin the second half.
Winner: Detroit's run game
Sione Vaki saw his first action of the preseason on Saturday afternoon against the Dolphins, and he made the most of his opportunity. He finished up with 30 rushing yards on five carries. That was a helpful load off of Craig Reynolds, who finally got some rest thanks to the health and availability of Vaki, Jacob Saylors, and Deon Jackson.
Saylors was specifically impressive in his stints, adding some explosiveness here and there on his team-high 13 carries. The UFL product is making a case for the 53-man roster or, at least, the practice squad. The run game for Detroit, overall, continues to be their biggest strength.
Winner: Detroit's rookie receivers
A week after general manager Brad Holmes revealed that he majorly regretted mucking up the scouting report on Puka Nacua, it became pretty clear that he and the Lions' scouting department might've hit on not one, not two, but three of their receiver picks and signings this offseason.
TeSlaa's acrobatics might be the highlight of this group of winners, but Dominic Lovett had several heads up plays on special teams that continue to solidify him as a potential punt returning option on the 53-man roster this season. Jackson Meeks, who finished up his day with a team-high 93 receiving yards on seven receptions, also had a nice touchdown.
Detroit is not wanton for playmaking.
Loser: Offensive line (and therefore Hendon Hooker)
Between penalties stacked up from the offensive line and a lack of pass protection given to Hendon Hooker on the afternoon, the trenches had seen better days. It felt like it was impossible for them to allow for Hooker to establish any sort or rhythm, mostly thanks to the teams' 13 penalties. Hooker finally saw a somewhat clean pocket in the last two minutes of the contest, when he pieced together a nice drive to almost land Detroit points.
Instead, it ended in a wildly good Dolphins interception on Hooker, the dagger play. Hooker might've watched his QB2 campaign end on that pick, especially if Allen puts together another great game in next Saturday's preseason finale.
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