National Football League

Dolphins take on league's best defense in Detroit

Published Nov. 8, 2014 1:30 p.m. ET

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An emotional week for the Miami Dolphins and their head coach Joe Philbin concludes with an important road game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

The Dolphins spent the week preparing for the NFL's top-ranked defensive team largely in Philbin's absence, who was out of town to attend his father's funeral service.

They will face a deep and talented squad who are in first place in the NFC North after two straight comeback victories, first against the New Orleans Saints and then last week in London when they defeated the Atlanta Falcons on a last-second field goal after trailing 21-0 after halftime.

"I think Coach (Jim) Caldwell and his staff are doing a great job there," said Philbin. "Obviously, they've won games in different ways. They've won games by scoring a lot of points. They've won them by three touchdowns. They've won they by, the last couple of games, by a point. They're just a good solid football team."

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has a wide assortment of talented weapons at his disposal -- including wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate -- and will test the Dolphins' defense in several ways.

However, with quarterback Ryan Tannehill arguably playing at the highest level of his career lately and their elite defense able to keep them in contention in any game, the Dolphins still have a solid chance of extending their win streak.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Lions WR Calvin Johnson vs Dolphins pass defense

Out of several matchups to look out for, Johnson makes his return after a three-game absence from an ankle injury just in time to face cornerback Brent Grimes, who has been spectacular during the Dolphins win streak.

"(Johnson's) rare," said defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle. "There's a few guys we see every year and we've seen some early in the season, but certainly there are very few players in the league of his size, athleticism. It's a big challenge, but we are going to do our best. We anticipated he was going to play. It’s been a number of weeks that he’s been out. I think they’ll be healthier than they've been in some time. We’ll get their best shot."

Lions: Detroit's fearsome defense currently leads the NFL in fewest points allowed and fewest total yards allowed.

"I think his ability to extend plays. He can get out of bad situations with legs. He has a lot of great receivers around him where he can just give them the ball at any time. He's a smart quarterback as well. All of that being said, he's going to be very difficult." -- Linebacker Jelani Jenkins on what makes Lions QB Matthew Stafford so good.

"Like I said, they're a great defense. Their front four is really good. But at the same time, it's about us. It's about if they blitz, we've got to hurt them. If they don't blitz, we have to hurt them. When we get our opportunities just continue to control the ball and make plays. That's what it's going to be about." -- Wide Receiver Jarvis Landry on the Lions' defense.

"Well, number one, they are very stout upfront. They are a physical football team. They are active on the second level as well. Not only are they strong, but they can move and they are athletic. I think their pursuit is very, very good, and they tackle well. When you have those components, it makes it tough. What are they averaging, 3.2 or three yards they are giving up per rushing play. That's way up there in the National Football League. They are playing good run defense." -- Head Coach Joe Philbin on the issues the Lions defense presents to the Dolphins running game.

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