Detroit Lions vs. Miami Dolphins: 2010 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-12-26, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the Miami Dolphins, pulling away with a 34–27 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Henne (Miami Dolphins) paced the passing game, with -2.11 total EPA, and -1.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, S. Hill (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.39 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-37.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Miami Dolphins changed the game: (2:25) 7-C.Henne pass short middle intended for 15-D.Bess INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Levy at MIA 30. 54-D.Levy for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 S. Hill · Detroit Lions · Passing · +9.39 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Marshall · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.75 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Best · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.05 total EPA · 1 snaps · +5.05 EPA/play
4. 4 L. Polite · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +4.53 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Fasano · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.61 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.08 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Williams · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +2.17 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.76 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.76 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Detroit Lions — B. Pettigrew (Q2 42:22)
• Miami Dolphins — L. Polite (Q2 36:19)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Bess (C. Henne pass) (Q2 30:37)
• Detroit Lions — M. Morris (Q3 20:56)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Brown (Q3 15:19)
• Detroit Lions — J. Best (Q4 4:49)
• Detroit Lions — D. Levy (Q4 2:25)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — D. Rayner (Q1 56:02)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Carpenter (Q1 45:35)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Carpenter (Q4 9:48)
• Detroit Lions — D. Rayner (Q4 2:49)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIA 21 (Q1 56:02) — (11:02) (Field Goal formation) 3-D.Rayner 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the DET 22 (Q1 45:35) — (:35) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Carpenter 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..

The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 14–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIA 20 (Q2 42:22) — (12:22) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass deep middle to 84-B.Pettigrew for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 42:17) — (Kick formation) 3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q2 36:19) — (6:19) 36-L.Polite up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 36:13) — (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the DET 13 (Q2 30:37); Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 30:30) — (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIA 5 (Q3 20:56) — (5:56) (No Huddle) 28-M.Morris left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q3 20:49); Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q3 15:19) — (:19) 69-R.Feinga reported in as eligible. 23-R.Brown left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 15:05) — (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 17–3. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the DET 10 (Q4 9:48) — (9:48) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Carpenter 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIA 53 (Q4 4:49) — (4:49) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass short right to 44-J.Best for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 4:37) — (Kick formation) 3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIA 29 (Q4 2:49) — (2:49) (Field Goal formation) 3-D.Rayner 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 78 (Q4 2:25) — (2:25) 7-C.Henne pass short middle intended for 15-D.Bess INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Levy at MIA 30. 54-D.Levy for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 2:11) — (Kick formation) 3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Miami Dolphins (Q4 2:25) — (2:25) 7-C.Henne pass short middle intended for 15-D.Bess INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Levy at MIA 30. 54-D.Levy for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -37.0% · EPA -6.92]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 3:48) — (3:48) (Shotgun) 7-C.Henne pass short left intended for 86-M.Shuler INTERCEPTED by 30-N.Vasher at MIA 36. 30-N.Vasher to MIA 36 for no gain (86-M.Shuler). [WPA -20.8% · EPA -2.59]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 58:14) — (13:14) (Punt formation) 2-N.Harris punts 52 yards to MIA 9, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 15-D.Bess to MIA 16 for 7 yards (58-A.Palmer). FUMBLES (58-A.Palmer), RECOVERED by DET-55-L.Johnson at MIA 19. 55-L.J [WPA +16.2% · EPA +5.57]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 4:49) — (4:49) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass short right to 44-J.Best for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +5.05]
• Miami Dolphins (Q1 47:26) — (2:26) (Shotgun) 7-C.Henne pass deep middle to 80-A.Fasano to DET 28 for 20 yards (42-A.Spievey). [WPA +9.4% · EPA +2.41]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Miami Dolphins (Q4 2:25) — (2:25) 7-C.Henne pass short middle intended for 15-D.Bess INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Levy at MIA 30. 54-D.Levy for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -37.0% · EPA -6.92]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 58:14) — (13:14) (Punt formation) 2-N.Harris punts 52 yards to MIA 9, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 15-D.Bess to MIA 16 for 7 yards (58-A.Palmer). FUMBLES (58-A.Palmer), RECOVERED by DET-55-L.Johnson at MIA 19. 55-L.J [WPA +16.2% · EPA +5.57]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 4:49) — (4:49) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass short right to 44-J.Best for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +5.05]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 30:37) — (:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Henne pass short right to 15-D.Bess for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +6.1% · EPA +3.34]

Quarterback report card

C.Henne led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Henne (Miami Dolphins) · 52 dropbacks · 55.8% completion · -1.1% CPOE · -0.04 EPA/play · -2.11 total EPA
• S.Hill (Detroit Lions) · 29 dropbacks · 48.3% completion · -8.7% CPOE · +0.32 EPA/play · +9.39 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Detroit Lions generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.16 vs +0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Detroit Lions: 13 drives, +11.40 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Miami Dolphins: 12 drives, +0.83 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Detroit Lions leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• S. Hill (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• S. Hill (DET) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 56:02 · MIA 21 · Score 3-0
   (11:02) (Field Goal formation) 3-D.Rayner 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
2. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q1 45:35 · DET 22 · Score 3-3
   (:35) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Carpenter 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
3. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 42:22 · MIA 20 · Score 9-3
   (12:22) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass deep middle to 84-B.Pettigrew for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 42:17 · MIA 2 · Score 10-3
   (Kick formation) 3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
5. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 36:19 · DET 4 · Score 10-9
   (6:19) 36-L.Polite up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 36:13 · DET 2 · Score 10-10
   (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
7. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 30:37 · DET 13 · Score 10-16
   (:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Henne pass short right to 15-D.Bess for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the
8. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 30:30 · DET 2 · Score 10-17
   (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
9. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 20:56 · MIA 5 · Score 16-17
   (5:56) (No Huddle) 28-M.Morris left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 20:49 · MIA 2 · Score 17-17
    (Kick formation) 3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. PENALTY on MIA-27-B.Sapp, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between
11. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 15:19 · DET 1 · Score 17-23
    (:19) 69-R.Feinga reported in as eligible. 23-R.Brown left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 15:05 · DET 2 · Score 17-24
    (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
13. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q4 9:48 · DET 10 · Score 17-27
    (9:48) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Carpenter 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
14. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 4:49 · MIA 53 · Score 23-27
    (4:49) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass short right to 44-J.Best for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 4:37 · MIA 2 · Score 24-27
    (Kick formation) 3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
16. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 2:49 · MIA 29 · Score 27-27
    (2:49) (Field Goal formation) 3-D.Rayner 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
17. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 2:25 · DET 78 · Score 33-27
    (2:25) 7-C.Henne pass short middle intended for 15-D.Bess INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Levy at MIA 30. 54-D.Levy for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 2:11 · MIA 2 · Score 34-27
    (Kick formation) 3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.