Green Bay special teams coordinator Cam Achord reassures rookie kicker Trey Smack that his confidence remains intact despite eight missed kicks this season. After Smack's eighth miss in a 27-19 win over the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 29, Achord—formerly with the Patriots—said the team chose Smack for his resilience and isn’t worried he’s overthinking. Smack has gone 11‑of‑16 on field goals (68.8%) and 16‑of‑19 on extra points, with recent struggles highlighted by a blocked 35‑yard attempt and a missed 26‑yard try in a 20‑17 loss to Detroit on Oct. 25. Achord also addressed a fumble by returner Coleman Owen in the Panthers game.
The Miami Dolphins, sitting 1-6 after a Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots, receive a detailed position‑group grading from SI’s Tyler Carmona, with the wide receivers, defensive line and linebackers each earning B‑grades. Highlights include Josh Uche’s solid fourth‑down sack and Chop Robinson’s two sacks and versatile play. Trade chatter surrounds linebacker Brooks as the deadline approaches, while former ‘72 defensive lineman Bob Heinz passes away at 79. The piece previews the upcoming Week 9 showdown against the Detroit Lions and links to additional Phinsider coverage.
The Chicago Bears blast the Seattle Seahawks 34‑17 on Monday Night Football, with rookie QB Caleb Williams delivering a solid 24‑of‑34, 247‑yard passing performance, one touchdown and no interceptions. His TD‑INT ratio improves as Dak Prescott overtakes Jared Goff in the league chart, while the Bears edge closer to the franchise single‑season scoring record after adding 95 points in the last three games. Running backs Rome Odunze and Luther Burden are on track for 1,000‑yard seasons as the Bears eye tough matchups against the Buccaneers, Saints, Lions, Jaguars and Dolphins.
The Detroit Lions travel to Miami for Week 9, hoping to extend their three‑game winning streak against a struggling Dolphins squad that sits 1‑6. Quarterback Malik Willis, the new starter, has thrown six TDs and five interceptions while scrambling for 225 yards and three rushing TDs, but a porous offensive line (second‑worst pass‑block grade) has led to 21 sacks. Running back Ollie Gordon has been the bright spot, posting 408 yards and a team‑high four rushing TDs. Defensively, Miami ranks near the bottom in sacks, run defense (31st) and tackling, allowing the league‑best 76.9% completion rate. Injuries include RB De’Von Achane (IR) and G/T Kadyn Proctor (concussion).
The Minnesota Vikings fell 19-15 to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, dropping to 6-1 but still leading the NFC North. Quarterback Kirk Murray struggled, missing open receivers and throwing high or late, though he did connect on a 51‑yard strike to Jordan Addison and threw two touchdowns, one salvaged by a spectacular Justin Jefferson catch. The defense held strong early, but the offense’s inability to sustain drives fatigued the unit, allowing Detroit to rally. The loss highlights lingering offensive woes as the Vikings eye a tougher schedule ahead.
The Bears’ November schedule tests their NFC North aspirations, starting with a Week 9 Sunday night clash against a rushing‑heavy Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that logged 324 ground yards against Atlanta. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and a top‑ranked run defense must contain Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell, while quarterback Caleb Williams looks to repeat his 308‑yard, two‑TD performance. A Week 10 bye offers Ben Johnson’s staff time to tighten third‑down and red‑zone play and heal injuries before hosting the New Orleans Saints—who the Bears beat 26-14 last season—in Week 11. The month ends with a Thanksgiving showdown versus the Detroit Lions, who beat Chicago 52-21 last year; Jared Goff’s 15‑TD start and the Lions’ big‑play offense will force Chicago to pressure the quarterback and dominate the clock to improve its 11-9 Thanksgiving edge.
Ahead of Week 9, Pride of Detroit asks fans two key questions: will the Lions defeat the 1‑6 Miami Dolphins and are they confident in the team's direction? Riding a three‑game win streak and favored by a -7 point line from FanDuel, Detroit looks poised to extend the run after recent victories over the Packers and Vikings. The fan confidence poll has fluctuated this season, currently hovering near 80%, and the outlet invites readers to vote in the weekly SB Nation survey.
The Miami Dolphins mourn former defensive lineman Bob Heinz, who died in California on Oct. 31 at age 79. Heinz was a key part of the franchise’s historic 1972 perfect season, starting 11 games—including all three playoff matches—and contributing to the No‑Name Defense that allowed just 12.2 points per game en route to a 14‑0 regular‑season (17‑0 overall) record. Drafted 37th overall in 1969, he played eight seasons in Miami before finishing his career with the Washington Redskins in 1978, tallying 11.5 sacks in 122 games. The team issued a heartfelt statement on X, and former teammate Larry Csonka honored the 1972 legacy on social media.
The Daily Norseman’s SB Nation Reacts survey asks Vikings fans if a quarterback change is overdue after a 15-10 win over the Miami Dolphins exposed offensive woes and a recent loss to Detroit ended the team’s unbeaten streak. With the NFC North lead still at stake and a Monday night clash against the Buffalo Bills looming, fans are urged to weigh in on Kyler Murray’s performance and the feasibility of a trade before the deadline. The poll also gauges overall confidence in the Vikings as the season tightens.
The Minnesota Vikings’ 6‑1 start masks deeper offensive woes, highlighted by a 19‑15 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 8. Quarterback Kyler Murray struggled, completing just 17 of 29 passes, posting a career‑low 86.6 passer rating, and dealing with hamstring tightness. Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips remains optimistic, saying solutions exist within the current roster and that the run game and penalty control can improve. With Murray’s inconsistency, backup Carson Wentz could see action against the Buffalo Bills, and the Vikings may explore trade options before the November 10 deadline.
The Detroit Lions are set to add former Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe (26) to their practice squad, pending a physical, according to Matt Zenitz. Pappoe, a 2023 fifth‑round pick from Auburn, spent 2025 playing all 17 games for Arizona with 27 tackles and two pass defenses. After being cut by the Cardinals, he briefly joined the Titans’ practice squad before being released in early October. The move could bolster Detroit’s depth on defense.
The Phinsider teases the Dolphins' Week 9 clash with the 5‑2 Detroit Lions, inviting fans to predict defensive leaders (tackles, interceptions, touchdowns) and offensive standouts (receiving yards, touchdowns, rushing totals). After recent wins over the Jets and a near‑upset of the Patriots, Miami faces a tougher home battle at Ford Field. Readers are encouraged to share their projected stat lines and MVP picks for both sides of the ball in the comments.
Detroit is casting a wide net amid a litany of injuries.
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell suffers a serious neck injury on the first play of the fourth quarter during the Lions' 19‑15 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. After a routine tackle on T.J. Hockenson, Campbell went limp and was taken to a Detroit hospital on a spinal board. Former NFL doctor David J. Chao says the injury is “concerning” and atypical for the league, though video doesn’t suggest immediate paralysis. He urges respect for Campbell’s family and hopes for a positive outcome, noting the player may miss the rest of the season.
With the Indianapolis Colts looking like a lost cause, the Detroit Lions should break the bank to trade for star cornerback Sauce Gardner.
A former safety of the Pittsburgh Steelers is looking for a new home in the NFL.
The Detroit Lions hosted former Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe for a visit as Brad Holmes continues addressing the team's injury-depleted defense.
The Baltimore Ravens invited free‑agent quarterback Adrian Martinez, a 26‑year‑old former Nebraska and Kansas State standout, to a tryout on November 3, 2026. Martinez went undrafted in 2023, signed with the Lions before being waived, then led the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions to a championship and earned league MVP honors. He later spent time on the Jets and 49ers practice squads, appeared in one 49ers game in 2025, and signed a futures deal before being cut. The tryout also includes wide receiver Octavian Smith.
The Detroit Lions place rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder on injured reserve, ending his 2026 season due to a hamstring injury. Rolder, the 118th overall pick from Michigan, appeared in five games, tallying 11 tackles, three for loss and a sack. The move coincides with the waiver of defensive back Bishop Fitzgerald. Rolder’s four‑year rookie contract totals $5.53 million with a $1.15 million signing bonus and a $885,000 base salary for 2026.
The Detroit Lions open two spots on their 53-man roster after placing rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder (41) on injured reserve with a season‑ending hamstring injury that may require surgery. Rolder, who tallied five tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss in just 17 snaps against the Vikings, had missed most of training camp. The second move sees rookie safety Bishop Fitzgerald waived after the team’s recent returns at safety and linebacker positions. With K.J. Britt expected to fill one vacancy, the Lions still have one roster spot to address. Coach Dan Campbell confirmed the moves on his radio show, highlighting the lingering injury concerns among the linebacking corps.
The Detroit Lions waive Bishop Fitzgerald and place Jimmy Rolder on injured reserve as Brad Holmes addresses the team's growing defensive injuries.
Reporter apologizes to Dan Campbell after question.
In Chicago’s 34-17 win over Seattle, newly acquired defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons transformed the Bears’ pass rush, pairing with defensive end Montez Sweat on the same side of the line. Simmons posted two pressures, a sack and an 86.9 pass‑rush grade, while Sweat delivered his best game of the season with four pressures and a sack after a two‑game PED suspension. The chemistry between the former Mississippi State teammates appears to unlock Sweat’s potential, validating the Bears’ $98 million, four‑year extension on him. With tough matchups ahead against Detroit, Jacksonville and Buffalo, the revamped front could make Chicago the league’s most feared defense.
Yes, the Lions found a way against Minnesota's league-best defense. However, Detroit's defense also answered the bell in the key divisional win. Here's how.
Detroit will be short-handed defensively against the Dolphins.