The Lions’ defense was playing with heavy hearts today in Miami, knowing that their leader Jack Campbell is still in a Detroit hospital after suffering a spinal injury a week ago. But the Lions heeded the call from head coach Dan Campbell to play in a way that would honor Jack Campbell.

On a day when Detroit’s offense was not at its best, the defense stepped up, holding Malik Willis & Co. in check in a 19-9 win.

Derrick Moore sacked Willis twice, Alim McNeil sacked him once, and Aidan Hutchinson forced the Dolphins to hold him multiple times as Willis was under pressure all day. Willis finished 13-for-25 for 128 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception, and he managed only seven rushing yards.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff could manage only 170 yards on 17-for-25 passing, but that was enough on a day when the Lions’ defense played so well.

Both punters completed passes for first downs on fake punts, and they were two of the best passes of the game on a day when neither Willis nor Goff played well.

The win improves the Lions’ record to 6-2, and helps them keep pace in the very competitive NFC North. The Dolphins fall to 1-7 and keep pace in their quest for the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL draft.