The Miami Dolphins secured a 24-17 victory over the Detroit Lions on August 12, 2023, showcasing a notable improvement from their previous preseason performance. Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers played a pivotal role in the win, throwing two touchdown passes to undrafted free agent Theo Wease Jr. and leading a crucial scoring drive late in the game.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel emphasized that while preseason results are not definitive, Ewers’ performance stood out. “I thought there were some really good things he did, some things he could do better,” McDaniel noted. He added that the journey of a quarterback involves taking advantage of opportunities and applying lessons learned during practice.
After a challenging start in Miami’s first preseason game, where Ewers completed only 5 of 18 passes for 91 yards in a tie against the Chicago Bears, he rebounded effectively against the Lions. In this second outing, he completed 11 of 17 passes for 116 yards, demonstrating a marked improvement. Ewers began the second half and helped the Dolphins score on three of his five drives, sealing the game with a 17-play drive that took place just under two minutes before the final whistle.
Despite his success, Ewers acknowledged there is room for growth. He stated, “As a whole, I think we were just overall more comfortable. Game 1, we kind of got our jitters out, and out here it felt like we were just able to go out and play our game and perform at a good level.” He reflected on missed opportunities, noting, “There’s obviously a lot of room to grow — myself, I missed a couple throws, missed a couple reads, but there’s a lot of stuff to learn from this game.”
Veteran quarterback Zach Wilson also contributed to the Dolphins’ success, starting the game and completing 15 of 23 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown during the first half. When asked about the backup quarterback competition, McDaniel clarified that the results from this game would not solely determine the team’s hierarchy. “I’m definitely not going to overreact to results, considering I talk about the process all the time,” he explained.
While Tua Tagovailoa did not play, nor did many of the Dolphins’ starters, McDaniel did not confirm whether they would participate in the upcoming preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The coach reiterated the importance of player development, stating, “Guys are going to keep working and we need them to have their best next week.”
Overall, the Dolphins’ performance against the Lions showcased the team’s potential as they continue to refine their strategies leading into the regular season. The improvements made by Ewers and the overall offensive execution suggest a positive trajectory for Miami as they prepare for their next challenges.
