Miami — Here are three observations after a second viewing and a night to ponder the Detroit Lions’ 19-9 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Quite the turnaround
Remember when everyone wanted defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard fired? I don’t know, maybe some of you still do. That’s fine. But we can’t ignore the impressive turnaround he’s led the second month of the season after he was raked over the coals following his unit’s dreadful start to the campaign.
In early October, Detroit’s defense ranked at or near the bottom of most meaningful categories. They were gashed by the Saints in the second half of the season opener, the Bills did whatever they wanted in Week 2, and the Lions made Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan look like Jerry Rice in Week 4.
However, four games later, the Lions suddenly find themselves in the middle of the pack in points allowed — the most important stat — riding a string of strong performances punctuated by not allowing the Dolphins to cross the goal line a single time on Sunday.