The Detroit Lions locked up a 19-9 win against the Miami Dolphins, pushing their winning streak to four games as they entered Week 9. Everyone expected the Lions offense to light it up, but the Dolphins defense made them work for every one of those 19 points. Good thing Detroit’s defense showed up big, holding Miami to just nine points total. What a turnaround for that unit, but let’s be real, the offense has some serious stuff to figure out.
What Happened with Christian Mahogany? And That Offensive Line
The biggest talker from Sunday wasn’t the win, it was left guard Christian Mahogany getting benched for his first career start. Backup Miles Frazier stepped in at left guard. CBS dropped the bomb that it was a “coaching decision,” and Lions head coach Dan Campbell didn’t mince words after the game. He basically said, “That was team rules for Mahogany. It was really that simple. Miles deserved his opportunity, so he got it. Doesn’t mean it stays that way, but that was the way it was going to be today.” Yikes. This is a huge deal, and it could cost Mahogany his job, maybe even a future contract extension.
And man, did that offensive line struggle. Frazier was a problem, missing and struggling to hold blocks, but he definitely wasn’t alone out there. Right tackle Blake Miller had what looked like his absolute worst game of the season, letting in tons of pressure and playing like a rookie. Jared Goff, our quarterback, got sacked three times, and he threw his second interception of the season when Dolphins EDGE Josh Uche drilled him as he released the ball. Goff even got hit on another throw that was first called a fumble and a Dolphins touchdown, only for it to be overturned to an incomplete pass. He was under fire all game, and it killed the offense. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, the only player to find the end zone, was limited to 74 yards on 20 carries thanks to non-existent running lanes. We saw this movie in 2025; when the O-line struggles, the whole team suffers.
The Defense Is Actually Stepping Up
Remember that long September when everyone wanted to fire Kelvin Sheppard? The Lions’ defense was a total liability back then. But things have turned around big time in the last four games. They’ve become a real asset. After giving up 21 points to the Arizona Cardinals, they held the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and now the Miami Dolphins to 16, 15, and nine points respectively. This defense is finally making turnovers and generating pressure, looking like a completely different unit. It’s a huge sigh of relief for sure.
The Lions are heading to Germany next week, and honestly, performances like what we saw from the offensive line won’t cut it against tougher competition. We desperately need Mahogany to get back on the team’s good side, and backup center Cade Mays returning would be massive for shoring up that line. Let’s hope for a much cleaner game across the pond.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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