▶ Nolan Bianchi: Detroit’s defense has taken a step out of the shadow realm, however, it’s still tough to determine what that progress will look like on a week-to-week basis. The Dolphins’ defense hasn’t been all that great this year, either, but to their credit, they rank seventh in stopping the run and figure to be able to at least slow down some of what the Lions are trying to do. Offensively, you’ve got two teams that are looking for bounce-back weeks, and if you’re trying to decide which one will have a breakthrough this Sunday, the one that rosters Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and is facing the league’s worst defense — albeit on a hot streak — is probably a safer bet. Pick: Dolphins, 34-24
▶ John Niyo: The Lions have taken a small step forward on defense in the last two games. But, they’re due to take a step back this week, facing a Dolphins team that’s got a top-five passing offense and speed to burn at the skill positions. Tua Tagovailoa showed some rust last week against the Steelers and probably should’ve been picked off two or three times. So, maybe the Lions can capitalize there. But more likely, they’ll have to win something resembling a shootout. The Dolphins have been decimated by injuries in their secondary, so there’s a weakness for the Lions to exploit there, but only if Jared Goff finds time and a rhythm that we haven’t seen in nearly a month. Pick: Dolphins, 31-28
▶ Justin Rogers: The Lions showed welcomed improvements on defense last Sunday against the Cowboys, making adjustments to both their approach up front and in the secondary. But they were also aided by some subpar decision-making by quarterback Dak Prescott, who showed clear rust after a lengthy injury layoff. That makes it difficult to gauge just how much better the defense performed. That will be put to the test this week against an opponent that will challenge you with speed, speed and more speed. You’ll have to forgive me for not buying the Lions’ defensive turnaround quite yet. I need to see it for a sample size larger than one game. The good news is the offense is in line to get back some key weapons, which should at least help keep things interesting. Pick: Dolphins, 30-26
▶ Bob Wojnowski: The Lions are back at Ford Field for the first time in a month, with desperation rising. Same thing for the Dolphins, who started 3-0 and now are 4-3. Tua Tagovailoa has been banged up, but they do have those star receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, to torment the Lions’ secondary. If Jared Goff continues to turn the ball over, the Lions are cooked. If he regains his productivity from earlier, with the expected return of Amon-Ra St. Brown and D’Andre Swift, they should keep up. Those defensive improvements we saw last week? Need to see them again, and it helps that Aidan Hutchinson finally is in the right position. With Swift in the backfield, the Lions actually are capable of winning a shootout. Well, at least I think they are. Pick: Lions, 34-31