This one is shaping up to be more than your typical August football. The Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins are set to meet in Week 2 of the preseason, but these two teams have already had a sneak preview of each other. After holding joint practices in Detroit this week, Saturday’s matchup is less of a meet-and-greet and more of a rematch, with plenty of bragging rights on the line.
Where Do the Two Teams Stand Ahead of the Game?
Detroit enters the game with a slight preseason edge. Thanks to their Hall of Fame Game appearance against the Chargers and last week’s bout with the Falcons, they’ve already logged two preseason contests.
That extra game time means more reps for rookies, more evaluation for the coaching staff, and a clearer sense of which players are making a strong case for the 53-man roster. However, their most recent outing took an unfortunate turn when rookie Morice Norris suffered a scary injury, leading to the game being suspended early in the fourth quarter.
On the other hand, Miami tied its preseason opener 24-24 against the Chicago Bears. Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa got some snaps to ease into game speed, but much of the night belonged to backup quarterback Zach Wilson, adjusting to his new role in Miami. The Dolphins used the game to tinker with lineups, evaluate depth, and start piecing together the roster puzzle.
How to Catch the Miami Dolphins and the Detroit Lions in Action?
Game Details:
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
How to Watch:
- TV: Lions TV Network (Detroit), WFOR CBS/4 (Miami)
- Live Stream: NFL+ and NFL Network
- Radio: 97.1 The Ticket WXYT-FM (Detroit), AM 560 WQAM (Miami)
🐬🏈 It’s Dolphins vs. Lions in Week 2 preseason action!
The last time these two met in the preseason was August 28, 1999, when Miami rolled past Detroit 31–10. That’s over two decades without a summer clash. 🔥Fins & Lions fans — who remembers this one? 📅💭#NFLPreseason… pic.twitter.com/zknyo4gIWU
— Gridiron State (@GridironState) August 12, 2025
Betting Line:
- Spread: Miami -4
- Total Points: O/U 37.5
- Moneyline: Miami -200, Detroit +170
Look Ahead to the 2025 Regular Season
The Dolphins are looking for stability in the preseason after an inconsistent 2024 season. All the questions are about head coach Mike McDaniels’s ability to maintain consistency and ensure some success in the postseason.
With the return of Minkah Fitzpatrick after the Jalen Ramsey deal, and all of a sudden, the defense might be something to look forward to. As the regular season approaches, Tagovailoa’s health and performance will remain the dominant storyline, even though the addition of tight end Darren Waller gives the offense more options.
The Lions, in contrast, enter the year riding high on expectations. After a franchise-best 15-2 regular season in 2024, they’re favored to win the NFC North for the third straight year. Most big-name starters will stay sidelined during preseason, a strategy aimed at arriving in Week 1 at full strength.
Preseason may not count in the standings, but it can still leave a mark. And with these teams having already spent the week going head-to-head in practice, expect some extra juice when the pads pop at Ford Field.
