The Miami Dolphins lost 19-9 to the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, falling to 1-7 on the season and extending their winless streak at home.
Miami’s defense held Detroit, which has the NFL’s third-highest scoring offense, under 20 points. The Dolphins, though, settled for three field goals and could not turn their trips into the end zone. Penalties and poor third-down conversions also stalled drives.
Miami tied the game at 3-3 after rookie cornerback Chris Johnson intercepted Jared Goff, his first career pick, and returned it 21 yards. Zane Gonzalez kicked a 34-yard field goal to even the score. Detroit regained the lead on a 40-yard field goal and went into halftime ahead 6-3 after gaining only 120 yards in the first half.
The Lions pulled away in the second half. Jahmyr Gibbs scored on an 8-yard run, and Jake Bates added field goals, including a late one that made it 19-9. Miami had 10 penalties for 70 yards in the fourth quarter alone, according to the game summary.
Malik Willis threw for 128 yards on 13-of-25 passing with one interception. Goff finished 17-of-25 for 170 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Caleb Douglas caught seven passes for 70 yards before dropping a fourth-down pass late in the game.
The loss leaves the Dolphins with a difficult start to the season, and Miami will need to fix its penalty and red-zone problems to avoid another close defeat.
