The Worksheet, a fantasy football overview by Rich Hribar, breaking down everything you need to know for the Week 8 Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions Sunday afternoon game.
| Miami | Rank | @ | Detroit | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -3 | Spread | 3 | ||
| 26.75 | Implied Total | 23.75 | ||
| 21 | 19 | Points/Gm | 24.3 | 9 |
| 23.6 | 23 | Points All./Gm | 32.3 | 32 |
| 60.6 | 23 | Plays/Gm | 64.8 | 11 |
| 62.3 | 15 | Opp. Plays/Gm | 64.8 | 25 |
| 6.1 | 6 | Off. Yards/Play | 6.1 | 4 |
| 5.8 | 22 | Def. Yards/Play | 6.4 | 32 |
| 36.08% | 28 | Rush% | 42.16% | 13 |
| 63.92% | 5 | Pass% | 57.84% | 20 |
| 39.68% | 9 | Opp. Rush % | 47.56% | 28 |
| 60.32% | 24 | Opp. Pass % | 52.44% | 5 |
- 42.4% of the drives against the Lions have reached the red zone or scored prior, the second-highest rate in the league ahead of only Atlanta (44.9%).
- 31.0% of the first and second down plays against the Lions have resulted in a first down or touchdown, the highest rate in the league.
- The Dolphins are averaging a league-high 6.7 yards per play on first down.
- 43.9% of all Tua Tagovailoa's first down pass attempts have resulted in a first down or touchdown, the highest rate in the league.
- After scoring a touchdown on 37.5% (18-of-48) of their drives through four weeks (first in the league), Detroit has failed to score a touchdown on any of their 21 drives the past two games.
- Detroit is converting 30.3% of their third down plays on offense, 31st in the league.
- Detroit is allowing opponents to convert 46.9% of their third down plays, 31st in the league.
- 28.1% of the carries against Miami have gained five or more yards, the lowest rate in the league.
- 44.3% of the carries against Detroit have gained five or more yards, 30th in the league.
- 17.1% of the carries against Detroit have gained 10 or more yards, 31st in the league.
Trust = spike production for that player
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa (TRUST): Tagovailoa returned to action Sunday night, closing the week as the QB11 (15.9 points). Tua had some rust as his 7.5 yards per attempt were a season low, but a low-scoring week overall allowed him to sneak into the QB1 fold.
Tagovailoa has thrown more than one touchdown pass just once so far in four complete games but runs into a strong spot to stay in play as a QB1 option this weekend.
Detroit has allowed four top-10 scoring weeks in six games, allowing a 67.2% completion rate (22nd), 7.9 yards per pass attempt (31st), and a 4.6% touchdown rate (25th).
Detroit has blitzed on 35.0% of passing plays (fifth) and played man coverage on 44.1% of passing plays (second). When blitzing, they play man coverage 60.6% of the time, ninth in the league.
Tagovailoa is 19th in EPA per dropback against the blitz (-0.04), completing 24-of-38 passes for 292 yards (7.7 Y/A) with one touchdown and no interceptions. What has dragged him down versus the blitz is a 2.6% touchdown rate, which ranks 30th.
Teams have not dared to play man coverage often against Miami, who is stocked with speed. Tagovailoa has seen man coverage on just 23.7% of his plays, 22nd in the league.
But when teams have pressed their luck and gone to man coverage, Tagovailoa is sixth in EPA per dropback (0.25), eighth in yards per attempt (8.3 Y/A), and fifth in touchdown rate (12.1%). If Detroit gets aggressive here (and can score points themselves on offense), Tagovailoa can access an extra gear.
