KEYS TO THE GAME

Dolphins’ scoring offense The Dolphins average 21 points per game, which ranks 19th in the NFL. The Lions allow 32.1 ppg, which is last in the league. But the defense can’t continue being required to keep teams to less than 20 ppg. In the past five games the Dolphins have averaged 17 ppg. If the Lions get a two-score lead in the fourth quarter it’ll be interesting to see whether the Dolphins offense can mount a comeback. We know they’re capable with big-play wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. But the Dolphins don’t consistently score touchdowns. This game begs for the Dolphins’ scoring offense to put up a big number and show it’s on its way to improvement.

Turnover margin

This is one of the most important numbers in football. The Dolphins are minus-2, tied for 21st in the league. They were minus-5 before last Sunday’s 16-10 victory over Pittsburgh but recorded a plus-3 against the Steelers. The big differences were the defense produced three interceptions, and the offense didn’t suffer any turnovers. We’ll see if the Dolphins can stay on the positive side this week with outstanding defensive play and smart offensive play. By the way, Detroit is minus-6 in turnover margin, 30th in the league.

Tua Tagovailoa has little room for error Decision-making remains a question. We saw Tagovailoa throw three, maybe four passes, that could have/should have been intercepted against the Steelers. But we also saw him take on a linebacker almost head-on on a run, and slide a bit too early on another run. Tagovailoa (101 of 150, 1,296 yards, nine touchdowns, three interceptions, 105.9 passer rating) was coming off a two-absence and had to knock off some rust.

The margin for error for the Dolphins has been reduced greatly with the injury to safety Brandon Jones (knee), meaning the defense might take a step back this week as it adjusts to yet another new personnel grouping. So the offense must be better, and consequently Tagovailoa must be better.

Controlling Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson

The rookie edge rusher has 4.5 sacks and shows amazing skills. You have to think left tackle Terron Armstead will be OK 1 on 1 against Hutchinson. Granted, the Dolphins have a quick passing game that features Tagovailoa getting the ball out of his hands in about two seconds. Hutchinson is a tough player to defend. He can use brute strength, speed or finesse. He’s not capable of winning the game by himself, but he could cause problems for a quarterback who has had issues with concussions and decision-making.

Dolphins’ secondary

The injury tally is amazing. We’ll see if it continues, and from what we’ve seen already this season there’s reason to think it miraculously will. Nik Needham and Brandon

Jones are out for the season. Jones was the team leader in tackles (49), tied for second in sacks (2.0), offered strong run support and might have been the best individual on blitzes. But the Dolphins have continued to find answers in the secondary among guys such as cornerbacks Kohou, Crossen and Justin Bethel, and safeties Clayton Fejedelem and Eric Rowe. Detroit’s passing game and running game aren’t fearsome, so we’ll see if the secondary, and the defense, can lead the way once again.

When the Dolphins run: Miami posted its second team rushing effort that surpassed 100 yards in last Sunday night’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, with 111 on the night. Raheem Mostert, who has grabbed hold of the lead back role, had 79 yards on his 16 carries, consistently showing solid burst and vision. The return of left tackle Terron Armstead was a huge plus, and it was evident with how many rushes to his side went for sizable gains. Center Connor Williams and right guard Robert Hunt also deserve credit for what they’ve done throughout the season. Chase Edmonds only had 17 yards on his seven carries. He got the call on coach Mike McDaniel’s questionable fourth-and-3 decision. A hole was there if he kept going left, but he turned inside and was stuffed. The Lions’ run defense is 30th in the NFL, and their 12 rushing touchdowns allowed is worst in the league. Edge: Dolphins

When the Lions run: Talented tailback D’Andre Swift is in line to return after being hampered by shoulder and ankle injuries that haven’t allowed him to play since Week 3. He was on a tear before going down, with a whopping 8.6 yards per carry. Power back Jamaal Williams has held it down since, rushing for a 4.5 average. Expect both to get touches. Detroit’s seventh-ranked rushing attack is anchored inside by center Frank Ragnow, a Pro Bowler in 2020. The Lions also have former firstround pick Penei Sewell at right tackle. The Dolphins held the Steelers and running back Najee Harris to 95 team rushing yards, and they have been bumped up to the NFL’s No. 7 run defense. Edge: Even

When the Dolphins pass: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is back for a second game after returning from concussion and should be sharper than he was outside of that opening drive against the Steelers. Tagovailoa missed his targets on multiple occasions when there were opportunities for big plays with yards after the catch if he hit his playmakers in stride. He also had Pittsburgh’s defense drop four interceptions. Tyreek Hill leads the NFL in receptions (57) and receiving yards (773) with Jaylen Waddle fourth in receiving yards (621). The two rank sixth and seventh among

DOLPHINS (4-3) at LIONS (1-5)

Kickoff: 1 p.m., Sunday, Ford Field

TV: CBS (Chs. 4 in Miami-Dade, Broward; 12 in Palm Beach); RADIO: WQAM (560 AM), KISS (99.9 FM), WQBA (1140 AM, Spanish), Westwood One

Coaches: The Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel is 4-3 in his first season as a head coach; Dan Campbell is 4-18-1 in his second season as Lions coach, and went 5-7 as Dolphins interim coach in 2015.

Series: The Dolphins lead the all-time series with the Lions, 7-5, but Detroit has won the past three.

Weather: Dome.

Line: The Dolphins are a 3 under is 51 .

Injuries: Dolphins — Out: WR River Cracraft (neck); Questionable: CB Xavien Howard (groin), DE Emmanuel Ogbah (back), TE Durham Smythe (hamstring), P Thomas Morstead (illness), S Clayton Fejedelem (groin), TE Tanner Conner (knee); Reserve/PUP: CB Byron Jones (lower leg); Injured reserve: S Brandon Jones (knee), OT Austin Jackson (ankle), CB Nik Needham (Achilles), DE Trey Flowers (foot), TE Cethan Carter (concussion),

-point favorite; the over/ receivers in yards after the catch. Armstead’s return, along with veteran Brandon Shell’s emergence at right tackle seems to be providing the pass protection Tagovailoa needs. Edge: Dolphins

When the Lions pass: Quarterback Jared Goff is completing 62.3 percent of passes with 1,583 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. Standout receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (28 receptions, 275 yards, three touchdowns) is expected to clear concussion protocol by Sunday. Josh Reynolds (24-343-2) has been an upstart option for Goff, and T.J. Hockenson (23-3153) is one of the better tight ends in the league. Swift can also catch out of the backfield. Cornerback Xavien Howard, who goes into Sunday questionable, appears to be returning to form where he can be locking down his side after groin injuries have bothered him early this season. Miami gets cornerbacks Kader Kohou and Keion Crossen back, but Noah Igbinoghene and Justin Bethel stepped up in a big way with interceptions against the Steelers. Edge: Dolphins

Special teams: The Dolphins largely cleaned up some of their special teams miscues in the win over Pittsburgh — or at least they weren’t bitten by special teams when Mostert muffed a kickoff but recovered it and Wilson had an adventurous punt catch. Kicker Jason Sanders was 3 for 3 on field goals, and punter Thomas Morstead, who has been ill this past week, had four of his six punts downed inside the Steelers’ 20. The Lions are expected to again elevate former University of Miami kicker Michael Badgley from the practice squad after he was 2 for 2, including one from 53 yards in last week’s loss to the Cowboys. Edge: Dolphins

Intangibles: The Dolphins have lost their past two road games, but those were against the Jets, who are on a four-game winning streak, and the Bengals, who have won four of their past five. Meanwhile, the Lions enter on a four-game losing streak. They have the NFL’s worst defense and, after averaging 35 points through their first four games, they’ve scored 6 points in their past two outings combined. Edge: Dolphins

PREDICTION: Dolphins 31, Lions 20

CB Trill Williams (knee), TE Adam Shaheen (knee), FB John Lovett; Lions — Out: S DeShon Elliott (finger), DE Charles Harris (groin), CB Mike Hughes (knee), CB Chase Lucas (ankle), S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle), T Matt Nelson (calf); Questionable: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (concussion protocol), G Jonah Jackson (neck); Injured reserve: WR D.J. Chark (ankle) among eight players on IR. Noteworthy: The Dolphins play the first of back-to-back road games against NFC North opponents, seeking a first win against the Lions since the 2006 Thanksgiving revenge game for quarterback Joey Harrington. It’s their first trip to Ford Field since 2014. ... Miami faces Campbell for the first time as an NFL head coach. Campbell was Dolphins interim coach when Joe Philbin was fired early in the 2015 season. He was Miami’s tight ends coach from 2011 to 2015 and a coaching intern in 2010, his first year after retiring as a player. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa aims to shake off rust in his second game back from missing two and a half with a concussion. He was 21 of 35 for 261 yards and a touchdown. Although he wasn’t intercepted, he had multiple close calls and missed open receivers on a few occasions.