Detroit Lions Lack of physicality dooms pass defense as Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill runs wild

Dan Campbell needed his defensive backs to take a hands-on method with speedy Miami Dolphins receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on Sunday. Actually.

However when it got here time to get bodily, the Detroit Lions have been nothing like Olivia Newton-John.

“We didn’t hit them,” Campbell stated. “We did not hit them on the line. That was a part of the sport plan. We didn’t disrupt. We didn’t disrupt, and while you allow them to do this and get into your protection it’s — we didn’t wish to flip it right into a monitor meet and it was a monitor meet.”

Hill and Waddle mixed for 294 yards receiving and two touchdowns because the Dolphins handed the Lions their fifth straight loss, 31-27, at Ford Area.

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Hill tied a season-high with 12 catches for 188 yards, whereas Waddle had eight catches for 106 yards and two scores.

“That was undoubtedly a factor, us attempting to get our palms on them and restrict their pace down the sphere,” Lions cornerback Will Harris stated. “We’ve simply received to be higher all-around and execute as a lot as potential.”

Hill caught 5 passes of not less than 18 yards, together with positive aspects of 42 yards and 36 yards. His 36-yard catch got here on a third-and-13 play when he received a free launch on the line of scrimmage. Waddle had two catches for 18-plus yards and received free releases on each his TDs.

“We didn’t deal with their pace nicely,” Campbell stated. “We didn’t get underneath these home windows. Tua (Tagovailoa) did a very good job of enjoying with rhythm, getting it out of his palms. (He would pump pretend) after which form of pop after which discover the second window. We simply didn’t — lots of it’s why it’s a must to attempt to disrupt these guys, whether or not they’re on the road and a few of that quick movement. In the event you’re a flat participant, you’ve received to attempt to hit them slightly bit as a result of for those who permit them into the protection, we’ve received issues. And so they’re too quick. So we simply didn’t deal with it nicely prime to backside.”

Restricted position for Swift

D’Andre Swift performed a supporting position in his return from ankle and shoulder accidents Sunday, logging 10 touches because the Lions managed his workload after a three-game absence. Jamaal Williams began at working again and led the Lions with 10 carries for 53 yards and two touchdowns.

“We have been simply attempting to see the place Swift was at,” Campbell stated. “Definitely, he’s not 100-percent, however we received a couple of performs out of him.”

Swift completed with 5 carries for six yards and had 27 yards receiving on 5 catches, together with a 7-yard landing within the first quarter.

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One of many Lions’ most explosive offensive gamers, Swift performed for the primary time since spraining his shoulder in a Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He additionally has been coping with a sprained ankle he suffered in a Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Campbell stated he hopes managing Swift’s workload will result in higher well being because the season goes on.

“I imply, we hope, however we’ll take it because it comes,” he stated. “Look, not less than we received him on the market transferring round. It’s higher than him not being on the sport. And let’s see if we are able to — how he got here out of this sport and hopefully he’ll be slightly bit higher subsequent week and possibly slightly bit higher the week after.”

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Comply with him on Twitter @davebirkett.