Lions vs Dolphins Odds, Picks & Props to Target (Aug 16)

• The Miami Dolphins are 1.5-point favorites over the Detroit Lions in Week 2 NFL preseason action on Saturday
• Both teams are electing to rest their starters
• Keep reading for the Lions vs Dolphins odds, plus my favorite picks and props to target

Prior to this week’s joint practices between the Lions and Dolphins, Detroit defenders questioned if Miami would be able to compete at their level. Turns out, the Dolphins weren’t. The Lions embarrassed Miami according to all reports, and will get a chance to do so again this afternoon at 1pm ET in preseason action.

Online sportsbooks are actually siding with Dolphins in the NFL odds, something I completely disagree with. Keep reading to find out why in my Lions vs Dolphins picks, plus see which props I’m betting for this contest.

DET Lions vs MIA Dolphins Odds

Miami actually opened as 4.5-point favorites in the NFL preseason Week 2 odds, but that number has been bet down to -1.5. The Fins are currently -118 moneyline favorites, in a contest with a total of 36.5.

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Lions vs Dolphins Picks

• Detroit Lions +1.5 (-115)

There is zero chance I would lay points with Miami in this matchup. Neither team is expected to dress their starters, meaning the Fins will roll with the combination of Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers at QB. Both are fresh off disastrous preseason debuts, and looked lost in joint practice this week.

Let’s start with Wilson, who’s been one of the worst QB’s in the NFL since he entered the league. Look no further than his last season as a starter. Wilson graded last among qualified quarterbacks in expected points added (EPA) per drop back in 2023, finishing behind the likes of Josh Dobbs, Desmond Ridder and Sam Howell among others.

Notable Dolphins vs Lions Playing Saturday

Wilson was sacked four times in the preseason opener vs Chicago, completing just 55% of his throws. He was picked off twice in limited joint practice time against Detroit this week, and enters play with more career picks (25) than TD (23).

Ewers fared even worse against the Bears, fumbling twice, taking two sacks, and completing only 5-of-19 passes. To make matters worse, Miami lost backup running back Alexander Mattison to injury, who’s much better in pass protection than his fellow backups.

As for the Fins defense, they coughed up 24 points in Week 1 of the preseason to Chicago backups, and the 1’s, 2’s and 3’s reportedly offered zero resistance to the Lions offense in practice.

Speaking of Detroit, Hendon Hooker will get the start at QB needing a solid showing. Hooker was benched last week against the Falcons, and had to watch Kyle Allen put on a show. Allen went 7-for-8 for 120 yards and 2 TD, and will likely see at least half the snaps under center this afternoon.

The Lions defense meanwhile, has been turning heads all summer, and were excellent in last week’s preseason victory and versus Miami in practice. Detroit’s defenders are adjusting well to new coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, and should feast on Wilson and Ewers’ mistakes.

Lions players are calling Sheppard even more aggressive than former DC Aaron Glenn, which fits in perfectly with Dan Campbell’s coaching style. Detroit is currently a top-five Super Bowl odds contender, with considerably more depth than the Dolphins on both sides of the ball.

Lions vs Dolphins Props to Target

• Dolphins Under 18.5 Points (-104)

Given who’ll be playing QB for Miami, and the depth and scheme of Detroit’s defense, I’ll also be betting under 18.5 points for the Fins as my favorite Lions vs Dolphins prop.

Detroit held the Atlanta backups to 9 first downs and only 207 yards last week, and a minuscule 2.0 yards per carry. Miami projects to have a bottom-three starting offensive line this season, so just imagine how bad the backups must be. They’ll struggle to run the ball and in pass pro versus the Lions front, which will make points tough to come by.