Miami Dolphins vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats On Nov 09, 2014

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 9, 2014

Lions 20, Dolphins 16: Matthew Stafford tossed an 11-yard touchdown to Theo Riddick with 29 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter as host Detroit recorded its fourth straight victory.

After Caleb Sturgis answered Matt Prater's 50-yard field goal with a go-ahead 20-yard kick with 4:19 remaining to give Miami a 16-13 lead, the Lions (7-2) made one last stand. Stafford (25-of-40, 280 yards) went 8-of-11 on the final drive, completing four passes to Golden Tate and a pair to the returning Calvin Johnson before rolling to his left and finding Riddick in the back of the end zone.

Tate finished with 11 receptions for 109 yards as NFC North-leading Detroit improved to 4-1 at home. After missing three games due to an ankle injury, Johnson (seven catches, 113 yards) reeled in a 49-yard touchdown pass and surpassed the 600-reception plateau late in the fourth quarter.

Ryan Tannehill went 27-of-38 for 207 yards and tossed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace for the Dolphins (5-4), who saw their three-game winning streak come to a halt. Charles Clay and rookie Jarvis Landry each had seven receptions in the loss.

The 6-5 Johnson made the most of his height advantage against 5-10 Brent Grimes by outleaping the cornerback on a post route with 3:58 left in the first quarter to give Detroit a 10-0 lead. Sturgis sandwiched field goals of 23 and 50 yards around halftime and defensive tackle Earl Mitchell blocked Prater's 42-yard attempt, allowing defensive end Dion Jordan to rumble 55 yards to set up Wallace's easy score on a swing pass late in the third quarter for a 13-10 lead.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Prater capped a 15-play opening drive with a 26-yard field goal at 6:19 of the first quarter to draw first blood. ... Grimes made a one-handed interception in the end zone during the second quarter, marking his fifth pick in the last six games. ... Lions P Sam Martin went 2-of-2 for 27 yards while executing a pair of fake punts in the first half. ... Dolphins LT Branden Albert suffered a serious knee injury in the second quarter and was carted off the field.