Miami Dolphins vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats

The Miami Dolphins vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats from the August 16, 2025 NFL preseason game tell a much more interesting story than the 24-17 final score alone. Miami overcame a 14-7 halftime deficit, received strong quarterback play from Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers, and got a standout receiving performance from Theo Wease Jr. Detroit, meanwhile, showed flashes through Kyle Allen and Jackson Meeks but struggled to maintain its offensive efficiency after halftime. (ESPN)

This preseason matchup was played at Ford Field in Detroit and was particularly useful for evaluating players competing for roster positions. The teams had also held joint practices earlier in the week, with starters participating in those sessions, while the actual game focused primarily on reserve players and roster hopefuls. (ESPN)

For anyone researching the Miami Dolphins vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats, the most important takeaway is that Miami won the efficiency battle even though Detroit actually ran more offensive plays and gained slightly more rushing yardage. Miami finished with 356 total yards compared with Detroit’s 274, converted 7 of 13 third downs, and produced 259 passing yards. (ESPN)

Table of Contents

Miami Dolphins vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats: Game Overview

The Dolphins won 24-17 after trailing 14-7 at halftime. Miami scored the only touchdown of the first quarter, Detroit answered with two second-quarter touchdowns, and the Dolphins then controlled the second half with 17 unanswered points. (ESPN)

Category	Miami Dolphins	Detroit Lions
Final Score	24	17
Total Yards	356	274
Passing Yards	259	170
Rushing Yards	97	104
First Downs	21	18
Total Plays	61	63
Yards per Play	5.8	4.3
Third Down	7/13	1/12
Fourth Down	0/1	3/3
Turnovers	1	1
Time of Possession	30:19	29:41
Red Zone	3/5	2/4

The numbers show why the final score favored Miami. Detroit had 30 rushing attempts to Miami’s 20 and even finished with 104 rushing yards, but the Lions averaged only 3.5 yards per carry. Miami averaged 4.9 yards per rushing attempt and generated considerably more through the passing game. (ESPN)

The biggest statistical difference came on third down. Miami converted 7 of 13 attempts, while Detroit converted only 1 of 12. That is an enormous gap in sustaining drives and helps explain why Miami could turn its yardage advantage into points. (ESPN)

Miami Dolphins Passing Stats

Miami used two quarterbacks during the game, with Zach Wilson handling the first portion and Quinn Ewers taking over later.

Zach Wilson

Wilson delivered one of the strongest individual performances for Miami.

Completions: 15
Attempts: 23
Completion rate: 65.2%
Passing yards: 151
Average: 6.6 yards per attempt
Touchdowns: 1
Interceptions: 0
Sacks: 1 for 8 yards
Passer rating: 98.3

Wilson’s biggest contribution was stability. He avoided an interception, completed nearly two-thirds of his attempts, and produced 151 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown pass went to Dee Eskridge for 11 yards late in the first quarter, giving Miami an early 7-0 lead. (ESPN)

For a preseason quarterback evaluation, avoiding negative plays matters. Wilson did not throw an interception and maintained enough efficiency to keep Miami competitive before leaving the game.

Quinn Ewers

Ewers produced the decisive second-half performance.

Completions: 11
Attempts: 17
Completion rate: 64.7%
Passing yards: 116
Average: 6.8 yards per attempt
Touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 0
Sacks: 0
Passer rating: 123.7

His 123.7 passer rating was significantly higher than Wilson’s 98.3. More importantly, Ewers threw both of his touchdowns to Theo Wease Jr., helping Miami erase Detroit’s lead.

His first touchdown was a 15-yard pass to Wease in the third quarter. The pair connected again for an 8-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, putting Miami ahead 21-17. (ESPN)

Ewers then directed a 15-play, 92-yard fourth-quarter drive that consumed 7:53 and ended with Jason Sanders’ 22-yard field goal. That drive was arguably one of the most meaningful sequences in the game because Miami converted the possession into points while taking substantial time away from Detroit. (ESPN)

Miami’s Quarterback Comparison

Quarterback	C/ATT	Yards	TD	INT	Rating
Zach Wilson	15/23	151	1	0	98.3
Quinn Ewers	11/17	116	2	0	123.7
Team	26/40	259	3	0	111.0

The team-level result is especially encouraging from an efficiency standpoint. Miami completed 26 of 40 passes for 259 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. (ESPN)

Detroit Lions Passing Stats

Detroit also received a contrasting performance from its two quarterbacks.

Kyle Allen

Allen was the more effective Lions quarterback statistically.

Completions: 14
Attempts: 17
Completion rate: 82.4%
Passing yards: 124
Average: 7.3 yards per attempt
Touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 0
Passer rating: 136.3

Allen’s 136.3 rating was the highest individual quarterback rating in the game. He was particularly accurate, completing 14 of 17 attempts.

He threw touchdown passes to Jackson Meeks and Isaac TeSlaa in the second quarter. Meeks scored on an 11-yard reception, while TeSlaa caught an 18-yard touchdown with only 30 seconds remaining before halftime. Those plays helped Detroit turn a 7-0 deficit into a 14-7 halftime advantage. (ESPN)

Hendon Hooker

Hooker had a much tougher second half.

Completions: 6
Attempts: 13
Completion rate: 46.2%
Passing yards: 61
Average: 4.7 yards per attempt
Touchdowns: 0
Interceptions: 1
Sacks: 2 for 7 yards
Passer rating: 28.0

The difference between Allen and Hooker’s statistical performances was substantial. Hooker completed fewer than half of his passes and finished with one interception.

That interception came with 27 seconds remaining. Hooker was attempting to keep Detroit’s final drive alive when Ethan Robinson intercepted the pass at the Miami 20-yard line, ending the Lions’ comeback attempt. (ESPN)

Detroit’s Quarterback Comparison

Quarterback	C/ATT	Yards	TD	INT	Rating
Kyle Allen	14/17	124	2	0	136.3
Hendon Hooker	6/13	61	0	1	28.0
Team	20/30	170	2	1	91.7

Detroit’s quarterback statistics show a sharp split. Allen was efficient and productive, while Hooker struggled to replicate that level of accuracy and eventually committed the game’s decisive interception. (ESPN)

Miami Dolphins Rushing Stats

Miami did not dominate the game on the ground, but several backs produced useful individual numbers.

Ollie Gordon II

Gordon was Miami’s leading rusher:

10 carries
50 yards
5.0 yards per carry

His longest run was 19 yards, and that run helped set up Miami’s third-quarter touchdown drive. Gordon carried the ball up the middle for 19 yards to the Detroit 17 before Ewers connected with Wease for the touchdown. (ESPN)

Aaron Shampklin

Shampklin had only two carries but produced 32 yards, an impressive 16.0 yards per carry.

His biggest contribution came on Miami’s long fourth-quarter scoring drive, when he broke a 26-yard run that moved the Dolphins into Detroit territory. (ESPN)

Other Miami Rushers

Player	Carries	Yards
Ollie Gordon II	10	50
Aaron Shampklin	2	32
Mike Boone	3	13
Jaylen Wright	4	3
Quinn Ewers	1	-1
Team	20	97

Miami averaged 4.9 yards per rushing attempt as a team. Although the Dolphins did not score a rushing touchdown, their running game provided several important gains that supported the passing attack. (ESPN)

Detroit Lions Rushing Stats

Detroit ran the ball more often than Miami, attempting 30 rushes compared with Miami’s 20.

However, the Lions averaged only 3.5 yards per carry.

Leading Detroit Rushers

Jacob Saylors led the Lions with 13 carries for 39 yards.

Sione Vaki followed with five carries for 30 yards, including a 14-yard run during Detroit’s second-quarter touchdown drive. (ESPN)

Player	Carries	Yards
Jacob Saylors	13	39
Sione Vaki	5	30
Deon Jackson	4	20
Craig Reynolds	6	13
Kyle Allen	1	1
Hendon Hooker	1	1
Team	30	104

The rushing totals need context. Detroit’s 104 yards exceeded Miami’s 97, but the Lions required 10 more rushing attempts to gain seven additional yards. That indicates Miami was more explosive on a per-carry basis. (ESPN)

Miami Dolphins Receiving Stats

The receiving statistics are one of the most interesting parts of this matchup.

Theo Wease Jr.

Wease was Miami’s standout receiver.

6 receptions
80 yards
2 touchdowns
13.3 yards per reception

He caught both of Ewers’ touchdown passes, including the 15-yard touchdown in the third quarter and the 8-yard score in the fourth. (ESPN)

His six receptions tied Tanner Conner for the team lead in catches, but Wease separated himself with his two touchdowns and 80 receiving yards.

Dee Eskridge

Eskridge finished with:

3 receptions
53 yards
1 touchdown

His 11-yard touchdown reception from Wilson opened the scoring. He also contributed in the return game, giving him an impact beyond receiving. (ESPN)

Miami Receiving Leaders

Receiver	Receptions	Yards	TD
Theo Wease Jr.	6	80	2
Dee Eskridge	3	53	1
Tanner Conner	6	48	0
Tahj Washington	4	33	0
AJ Henning	2	16	0
Chris Myarick	1	13	0
Andrew Armstrong	1	12	0
Ollie Gordon II	2	9	0
Erik Ezukanma	1	3	0
Tarik Black	0	0	0

Miami finished with 26 receptions for 267 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The Dolphins averaged 10.3 yards per reception. (ESPN)

One useful detail is that the team recorded 40 targets, meaning the offense distributed opportunities across multiple players instead of relying exclusively on one receiver.

Detroit Lions Receiving Stats

Detroit’s leading receiver was Jackson Meeks.

Jackson Meeks

Meeks recorded:

7 receptions
93 yards
1 touchdown

His 93 receiving yards were the highest total by any player in the game. He also scored Detroit’s first touchdown on an 11-yard reception from Allen. (ESPN)

Isaac TeSlaa

TeSlaa added:

4 receptions
41 yards
1 touchdown

His 18-yard touchdown catch with 30 seconds left in the first half gave Detroit its 14-7 lead. (ESPN)

Detroit Receiving Leaders

Receiver	Receptions	Yards	TD
Jackson Meeks	7	93	1
Isaac TeSlaa	4	41	1
Zach Horton	2	15	0
Dominic Lovett	2	14	0
Ronnie Bell	1	11	0
Tom Kennedy	1	8	0
Jacob Saylors	1	5	0
Jakobie Keeney-James	0	-2	0
Sione Vaki	2	-2	0

Detroit finished with 20 receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Its average was 9.3 yards per reception. (ESPN)

Miami vs Detroit Defensive Stats

The defensive numbers also provide important context.

Miami recorded:

75 total tackles
35 solo tackles
3 sacks
6 tackles for loss
3 passes defended
8 quarterback hits
1 interception

Detroit recorded:

69 total tackles
39 solo tackles
1 sack
5 tackles for loss
10 passes defended
2 quarterback hits
0 interceptions

The biggest defensive difference was pressure. Miami generated three sacks and eight quarterback hits, compared with Detroit’s one sack and two quarterback hits. (ESPN)

That pressure became particularly important against Hooker. Miami’s defense forced him into difficult situations, and the final interception by Ethan Robinson prevented Detroit from having one last opportunity to tie the game.

Ethan Robinson’s Game-Sealing Interception

The final defensive play deserves special attention.

Detroit received the ball with 1:50 remaining and drove from its own 39-yard line to the Miami 13. Hooker completed several passes to Meeks and Ronnie Bell, moving the Lions into scoring position.

With 27 seconds left, Hooker attempted another pass toward Zach Horton. Ethan Robinson intercepted the ball at Miami’s 20-yard line and returned it two yards. That ended Detroit’s final possession and effectively secured Miami’s victory. (ESPN)

This is a good example of why box scores should not be judged only by total yardage. Detroit’s final drive generated significant yardage, but the turnover at the end erased the possession.

Third-Down Efficiency Was the Biggest Statistical Difference

One of the clearest lessons from the game is the importance of third-down execution.

Miami converted 7 of 13 third downs, or about 53.8%.

Detroit converted only 1 of 12, or about 8.3%.

That difference is enormous.

Detroit did compensate by going 3-for-3 on fourth down, but repeatedly reaching fourth down is not the same as consistently sustaining drives. Miami’s ability to convert third downs allowed it to keep possessions alive and eventually control the second half. (ESPN)

For readers analyzing the Miami Dolphins vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats, this is arguably a more useful statistic than simply looking at passing yards.

Red-Zone Performance

Miami entered the red zone five times and scored three times, while Detroit reached the red zone four times and scored twice.

Team	Red-Zone Trips	Scores
Miami	5	3
Detroit	4	2

Miami converted 60% of its red-zone opportunities into scores, while Detroit scored on half of its trips. (ESPN)

Miami’s ability to finish possessions mattered because the game was decided by seven points.

Turnovers and Ball Security

Each team finished with one turnover, but the nature of those turnovers differed.

Miami lost one fumble. Detroit did not lose a fumble, but Hooker threw the game’s only interception.

Miami’s fumble occurred when AJ Henning muffed a punt that Detroit recovered. The turnover gave Detroit an opportunity to regain the lead, and the Lions converted the possession into a field goal. (ESPN)

Detroit’s turnover came at the worst possible moment because it occurred during its final drive.

This creates an important distinction between turnover count and turnover timing. Both teams were charged with one turnover, but Detroit’s interception happened with only 27 seconds remaining and ended a potential game-tying drive.

Special Teams Performance

Special teams also played a meaningful role.

Miami

Jason Sanders:

1/1 field goals
Long: 22 yards
3/3 extra points
6 points

Miami’s punters combined for four punts and 189 yards, averaging 47.3 yards per punt.

Detroit

Jake Bates:

1/1 field goals
Long: 33 yards
2/2 extra points
5 points

Jack Fox punted seven times for 355 yards, averaging 50.7 yards per punt. (ESPN)

Detroit also produced more kick-return yardage, finishing with 140 yards on five returns compared with Miami’s 91 yards on three returns.

Miami, however, generated 56 punt-return yards, while Detroit recorded no punt returns. (ESPN)

What the Stats Say About the Game

The final score gives the basic story, but the complete statistical profile gives a clearer explanation.

Miami won through passing efficiency

The Dolphins produced 259 passing yards compared with Detroit’s 170. Their 6.3 yards per pass play at the team level was also higher than Detroit’s 5.2. (ESPN)

Detroit’s rushing advantage was not enough

Detroit gained 104 rushing yards, seven more than Miami, but needed 30 attempts compared with Miami’s 20. The Dolphins averaged 4.9 yards per rush, while Detroit averaged 3.5. (ESPN)

Miami protected the football through the air

Neither Wilson nor Ewers threw an interception. Detroit’s quarterbacks combined for one interception.

Miami created more pressure

The Dolphins recorded three sacks and eight quarterback hits, which helped disrupt Detroit’s passing game. (ESPN)

Miami was substantially better on third down

This may have been the most important team statistic. A 7-for-13 conversion rate compared with 1-for-12 gave Miami a major advantage in possession sustainability. (ESPN)

Why Theo Wease Jr. Stands Out

Among all Miami players, Wease’s performance deserves particular attention.

His six catches produced 80 yards and two touchdowns. More importantly, his touchdowns came at crucial moments.

The first tied the game at 14-14 in the third quarter.

The second gave Miami a 21-17 lead in the fourth.

That means his receptions were not simply empty yardage. His production directly influenced the scoreboard. (ESPN)

For preseason evaluation, that makes his performance particularly notable because players competing for roster opportunities need to demonstrate that they can make meaningful plays when opportunities arrive.

Why Jackson Meeks Was Detroit’s Standout Receiver

Meeks actually led every player in the game with 93 receiving yards.

His seven catches gave him a heavy share of Detroit’s receiving production, and his 11-yard touchdown helped bring the Lions back from their early deficit. (ESPN)

The difference between Meeks and Wease is interesting. Meeks produced more total receiving yards, while Wease produced more touchdowns.

That is why looking at only the yardage leaderboard can be misleading when assessing individual impact.

The Fourth Quarter Decided the Game

Detroit led 17-14 after Jake Bates’ 33-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Miami then responded with two scoring possessions.

First, Ewers connected with Wease for an 8-yard touchdown to make it 21-17.

Then Miami produced a 15-play, 92-yard drive that ended with Sanders’ 22-yard field goal. (ESPN)

Detroit had one final opportunity, but Robinson’s interception ended the comeback attempt.

The fourth quarter therefore included three critical Miami sequences:

A touchdown that gave Miami the lead.
A long possession that produced another three points.
A defensive interception that ended Detroit’s final drive.

That combination explains the 24-17 result better than the raw yardage totals alone.

Miami Dolphins vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats: Key Takeaways

For readers who want the most important numbers without going through every category, these are the statistics worth remembering:

Miami won 24-17.
Zach Wilson completed 15 of 23 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown.
Quinn Ewers completed 11 of 17 passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
Kyle Allen completed 14 of 17 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns.
Hendon Hooker completed 6 of 13 passes for 61 yards with one interception.
Theo Wease Jr. caught six passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
Jackson Meeks caught seven passes for 93 yards and one touchdown.
Ollie Gordon II rushed for 50 yards on 10 attempts.
Jacob Saylors rushed for 39 yards on 13 attempts.
Miami generated 356 total yards.
Detroit generated 274 total yards.
Miami converted 7 of 13 third downs.
Detroit converted only 1 of 12 third downs.
Miami recorded three sacks.
Ethan Robinson made the game-ending interception. (ESPN)

What Fans Should Be Careful About When Reading Preseason Stats

Preseason statistics are useful, but they should not be treated exactly like regular-season statistics.

The game was primarily about reserve players and roster competition. The AP recap noted that the teams had held joint practices earlier in the week with starters participating, while the game itself focused on players trying to earn roster spots. (ESPN)

That context matters.

A strong preseason stat line can demonstrate:

Consistency
Execution
Ability to capitalize on opportunities
Depth at a position
Individual development
Potential roster value

But it does not automatically predict regular-season production.

Similarly, a poor preseason performance does not necessarily mean a player will struggle once the regular season begins.

The best way to interpret these numbers is to combine the box score with playing time, role, quality of opportunities, efficiency, and the player’s performance across multiple games and practices.

Final Assessment

The Miami Dolphins vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats reveal a game that was decided less by raw rushing totals and more by quarterback efficiency, third-down execution, explosive receiving plays, and late-game defense.

Detroit had the better rushing total and Kyle Allen delivered an excellent statistical performance, but the Lions could not sustain that efficiency after halftime. Hooker’s struggles, combined with Detroit’s 1-for-12 third-down performance, made it difficult to maintain offensive momentum.

Miami received steady play from Wilson and an impressive second-half performance from Ewers. Wease became the key offensive difference-maker with two touchdowns, while Gordon and Shampklin provided useful rushing contributions.

Defensively, Miami created more quarterback pressure and produced the only interception of the game. Robinson’s final interception was especially valuable because it ended Detroit’s last scoring opportunity.

Ultimately, the box score shows why Miami deserved the 24-17 victory. The Dolphins produced more total yards, more passing production, better third-down efficiency, a higher yards-per-play figure, and better red-zone results. (ESPN)

For anyone studying this preseason matchup, the most meaningful lesson is to look beyond the final score. Individual statistics such as Wease’s two touchdowns, Allen’s 136.3 passer rating, Ewers’ 123.7 rating, Meeks’ 93 receiving yards, and Robinson’s late interception provide a much clearer picture of how the game unfolded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Miami Dolphins vs Detroit Lions preseason game?

The Miami Dolphins defeated the Detroit Lions 24-17 on August 16, 2025. Miami trailed 14-7 at halftime before scoring 17 unanswered points in the second half. (ESPN)

Who was Miami’s leading passer?

Zach Wilson led Miami with 151 passing yards, completing 15 of 23 attempts with one touchdown and no interceptions. Quinn Ewers added 116 yards and two touchdowns. (ESPN)

Who was Miami’s leading receiver?

Theo Wease Jr. led Miami with six receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns. His two touchdown catches came from Quinn Ewers in the second half. (ESPN)

Who led the Detroit Lions in receiving?

Jackson Meeks led Detroit with seven receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown. He recorded the most receiving yards of any player in the game. (ESPN)

Which quarterback had the highest passer rating?

Kyle Allen had the highest individual passer rating at 136.3. He completed 14 of 17 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. (ESPN)

What was the biggest statistical difference between the teams?

Third-down efficiency was one of the clearest differences. Miami converted 7 of 13 third downs, while Detroit converted only 1 of 12. Miami also outgained Detroit 356-274. (ESPN)

Conclusion

The Miami Dolphins vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats from this preseason matchup provide a detailed picture of how Miami turned a halftime deficit into a 24-17 victory.

The Dolphins’ biggest strengths were their passing production, third-down execution, quarterback efficiency, and late-game defensive execution. Wilson provided a steady first-half performance, while Ewers became the catalyst after halftime. Wease was particularly influential with two touchdown receptions.

Detroit had several positive individual performances. Allen was highly efficient, Meeks led the entire game in receiving yards, and Saylors led the Lions in rushing. However, Detroit’s inability to convert third downs consistently and Hooker’s late interception prevented those positive moments from becoming a victory.

The final box score therefore tells a useful story: Miami did not win simply because it scored more points. The Dolphins created more efficient offensive possessions, produced more passing yardage, converted third downs at a much higher rate, and made the decisive defensive play when Detroit had one final chance.