MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Credit all three phases for the Detroit Lions in helping them secure their first road victory of the season, 32-21, against a tough and gritty Miami Dolphins team at Hard Rock Stadium Sunday afternoon. The win improves the Lions to 3-3 on the year.
Detroit's offense was dominant, especially on the ground, racking up 458 total yards (248 rushing) and putting up 32 points. It was the most rushing yards by a Lions team since 1997.
The defense was pretty solid all afternoon, too, allowing 322 yards and just 21 points.
Matt Prater made all four of his field goal attempts (29, 28, 35 and 50), and the Lions' cover units kept the dangerous Dolphins return game in check.
Rookie running back Kerryon Johnson set a career high with 158 rushing yards on just 19 carries for an average of 8.3 yards per rush.
Lions second-year tight end Michael Roberts, playing in his first game since Week 2 because of a knee injury, caught touchdown passes of 15 and 4 yards, respectively, the second and third of the year for him in just three games played.
Running back LeGarrette Blount accounted for the other Lions touchdown.
Johnson off and running: Johnson gashed the Dolphins for a 71-yard run up the right sideline early in the second quarter down to the Dolphins' 20-yard line. It was the longest run by the Lions since Jahvid Best had an 88-yarder against the Chicago Bears in 2011.
The run put Johnson over 100 yards for the game.
QB Comparison: Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was extremely efficient in this one. He completed 18-of-22 passes for 217 yards and those two touchdowns to Roberts. He finished with a passer rating of 138.1, which marks the fifth straight game he's finished with a passer rating over 100.0.
Dolphins quarterback Brock Osweiler was good as well. He completed 22 of his 31 pass attempts for 239 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers. He finished with a 114.9 passer rating.
Explosive runs against: Huge chunk runs continue to plague the Lions' defense. Miami running back Kenyan Drake scampered for a 54-yard touchdown in the third quarter, which marked the fourth run of 40-plus yards given up by the defense this season.
Injury report: Miami lost wide receiver Albert Wilson (leg) and tight end Mike Gesicki (head) to injuries in the game.
Next up for Lions: vs. Seattle (3-3)
