Dolphins’ Backups Shine as Miami Tops Lions in Preseason Clash

Dolphins’ Backups Shine as Miami Tops Lions in Preseason Clash

Final Score: Miami Dolphins 24, Detroit Lions 17Date: August 16, 2025 | Ford Field, Detroit, MI

Quarterbacks: Wilson Steady, Ewers Electric

Saturday was designed for evaluation, and Miami’s reserve quarterbacks gave the coaching staff plenty to review.

• Zach Wilson opened the night and looked comfortable in Miami’s scheme. The veteran backup completed 15 passes on 23 attempts for 151 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown to receiver Dee Eskridge. Wilson worked efficiently on short and intermediate routes, showing poise behind the offensive line. His lone blemish came late in the half when Miami’s drive stalled on a failed fourth down.

• Quinn Ewers, entering after halftime, provided the spark. He finished 11-of-17 for 116 yards and tossed two touchdown passes to Theo Wease Jr. His quick release and composure under pressure allowed him to rebound from a Dolphins’ special-teams turnover that briefly gave Detroit the lead. In the fourth quarter, Ewers orchestrated a 92-yard drive that chewed up clock and set up Jason Sanders for a crucial field goal.

Head coach Mike McDaniel called it “a good day for both guys,” while stressing the evaluation process isn’t about one night. Still, performances like these strengthen the team’s depth behind starter Tua Tagovailoa.

Here are the detailed stats and box score for the Miami Dolphins' 24-17 preseason win over the Detroit Lions on August 16, 2025:

Final Score

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Total
Miami Dolphins	7	0	7	10	24
Detroit Lions	0	14	3	0	17

Passing Statistics

Team	Player	Comp/Att	Completion %	Yards	TD	INT	QBR
Miami	Zach Wilson	15/23	65.2%	151	1	0	98.3
Miami	Quinn Ewers	11/17	64.7%	116	2	0	-
Detroit	Kyle Allen	14/17	82.4%	124	2	0	-
Detroit	Hendon Hooker	6/13	46.2%	61	0	1	0

Lions’ Backup Battle: Allen Impresses, Hooker Falters

Detroit entered the matchup with one major storyline: who would solidify the No. 2 quarterback job.

• Kyle Allen looked in control during the first half. He went 14-for-17 for 124 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by an efficient two-minute drill capped with a strike to Isaac TeSlaa just before halftime.

• Hendon Hooker, by contrast, struggled once he took over in the third quarter. He completed only six passes on 13 attempts for 61 yards and threw a costly interception in the final minute, ending Detroit’s comeback hopes. Lions head coach Dan Campbell admitted the gap in reliability right now favors Allen, but reiterated that Hooker will continue to receive developmental reps.

The contrasting performances may linger into roster decisions as Detroit weighs experience versus potential.

Playmakers on Offense

• Miami’s Receivers: Rookie Theo Wease Jr. broke out with 80 yards and two touchdowns on six catches, quickly establishing chemistry with Ewers. Eskridge added 53 yards and a first-quarter TD, while Tanner Conner (48 yards) chipped in steady production.

• Ground Game: Ollie Gordon II paced the Dolphins’ backfield with 50 yards on 10 carries, showing burst through the interior. Detroit countered with Jacob Saylors, who logged 39 yards on 13 attempts, though the Lions’ run game never truly found rhythm.

• Detroit’s Bright Spot: Receiver Jackson Meeks posted a team-high 93 yards and a touchdown, building on his preseason momentum.

How the Game Unfolded

First Half

The Dolphins struck first on Wilson’s connection with Eskridge late in the first quarter. Detroit answered midway through the second when Allen found Meeks, then surged ahead with another scoring drive capped by TeSlaa’s 18-yard TD grab. A key fourth-down sack of Wilson by Isaac Ukwu helped Detroit preserve its halftime lead, 14–7.

Second Half

Ewers wasted little time making his mark, hitting Wease for a 15-yard touchdown to tie the game. Special teams miscues returned, however, as a Dolphins fumble on a punt return set up a Lions field goal for a 17–14 edge.

The fourth quarter belonged to Miami. Ewers connected again with Wease for an 8-yard score, giving the Dolphins the lead for good. His late-game 92-yard drive, capped by Sanders’ 22-yard field goal, extended the cushion. Detroit’s final push reached the Miami 13-yard line, but Ethan Robinson’s interception sealed the victory with 22 seconds remaining.

What It Means

• For Miami: Depth at quarterback looks promising. Wilson delivered the steady veteran performance Miami hoped for, while Ewers showed flashes of long-term upside. Both looked composed in live-game situations, which helps ease concerns behind Tagovailoa.

• For Detroit: The backup QB competition remains unsettled but tilted in Allen’s favor. Hooker’s struggles highlighted the developmental gap, though Campbell made clear he’ll continue investing reps into the young passer. Receivers like Meeks and TeSlaa added positives, but turnovers and inconsistency defined the second half.

Stat Highlights

• Miami Passing: Wilson — 15/23, 151 yds, 1 TD; Ewers — 11/17, 116 yds, 2 TD

• Detroit Passing: Allen — 14/17, 124 yds, 2 TD; Hooker — 6/13, 61 yds, 1 INT

• Top Receivers: Wease (6 catches, 80 yds, 2 TD), Meeks (7 catches, 93 yds, 1 TD)

• Rushing Leaders: Gordon II (10 for 50 yds), Saylors (13 for 39 yds)

Rushing Statistics

Team	Player	Att	Yards	Long	TD
Miami	Ollie Gordon II	10	50	19	0
Miami	Aaron Shampklin	2	32	26	0
Miami	Mike Boone	3	13	8	0
Miami	Jaylen Wright	4	3	3	0
Miami	Quinn Ewers	1	-1	-1	0
Detroit	Jacob Saylors	13	39	11	0
Detroit	Sione Vaki	5	30	14	0
Detroit	Deon Jackson	4	20	8	0
Detroit	Craig Reynolds	6	13	7	0

Receiving Statistics

Team	Player	Recs	Yards	TD	Long
Miami	Theo Wease Jr.	6	80	2	23
Miami	Dee Eskridge	3	53	1	27
Miami	Tanner Conner	6	48	0	13
Miami	Tahj Washington	4	33	0	9
Miami	AJ Henning	2	16	0	12
Miami	Chris Myarick	1	13	0	13
Miami	Andrew Armstrong	1	12	0	12
Miami	Ollie Gordon II	2	9	0	14
Miami	Erik Ezukanma	1	3	0	3
Detroit	Jackson Meeks	7	93	1	27
Detroit	Isaac TeSlaa	4	41	1	18
Detroit	Zach Horton	2	15	0	9
Detroit	Dominic Lovett	2	14	0	9
Detroit	Ronnie Bell	1	11	0	11
Detroit	Tom Kennedy	1	8	0	8
Detroit	Jacob Saylors	1	5	0	5
Detroit	Sione Vaki	2	-2	0	4

Notable Plays

• Wilson’s 11-yard TD pass to Dee Eskridge put Miami up 7-0 in the first quarter.

• Kyle Allen’s two touchdown passes to Jackson Meeks and Isaac TeSlaa established a 14-7 halftime lead for Detroit.

• Quinn Ewers threw two touchdown passes to Theo Wease Jr. in the second half to help Miami gain the advantage.

• A late 22-yard field goal by Jason Sanders sealed the win for Miami.

• Ethan Robinson’s interception with 22 seconds remaining stopped Detroit’s last drive.

What’s Next

• Dolphins (1–0–1 preseason): Host the Indianapolis Colts in their preseason finale.

• Lions (1–2 preseason): Close out exhibition play at Ford Field against the Houston Texans.

Final Word

The Dolphins showed they can lean on depth pieces and a rookie quarterback when needed, while the Lions left with clarity in some areas and new questions in others. In a contest defined by the backups, Miami’s second and third-string passers delivered the biggest statement.