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 Two teams that seemed to be going in opposite directions reversed
course on Sunday at Soldier Field.
With Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill completing his first 14
passes, and the Chicago offense stuck in neutral most of the day,
the Dolphins upset the Bears, 27-14, in a game that truly was not
nearly that close.
"It looked like we dominated them the whole game," said defensive
end Randy Starks of Miami.
The Dolphins penetrated the Bears' 20-yard line six times, but only
three of the opportunities resulted in touchdowns. Chicago,
meanwhile, crossed midfield only four times in the entire game.
Joe Philbin, the Miami coach, said he sensed on Tuesday when his
players returned to work after the Green Bay defeat, that they would
bounce back.
"Even before I analyzed the (practice) film, I told the team it was
the best practice of the year," Philbin said. "I think all of us had
a lot of confidence the team was going to play well."
Miami had to bounce back again on Sunday. After dominating the first
half, but leading only 14-0, the Dolphins permitted the Bears to get
back in the game with a touchdown drive from the second half
kickoff.
But Tannehill, whose passer rating of 123.6 was the highest of his
three-year career, immediately told teammates, "We're going to
answer."
It was quite an answer, too, an 83-yard, 13-play touchdown drive
keyed by a 4th-and-1 read option, 30-yard run by Tannehill to the
Chicago 9-yard line. Two plays later, running back Lamar Miller
scored on a 2-yard run for a 21-7 lead.
"I really like the way our offense responded and took command of the
game," Philbin said.
With the victory, the Dolphins evened their record at 3-3. Chicago
lost its third straight home game -- the first time in 10 years the
Bears started 0-3 at home -- and fell to 3-4 with a remaining
schedule that still includes trips to New England (next week) and
Green Bay and home games against Dallas and New Orleans.
"Today was an unacceptable performance by our football team," said
Marc Trestman, the Bears' coach, who said he had "a very sick locker
room."
A lot of yelling was heard from the locker room before the Bears
opened the doors to the media after the league-required 12-minute
"cooling off period."
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall was heard shouting over and over,
"3-4 is unacceptable." At another point, an unidentified player was
heard yelling, "Will you fight with your heart?"
Marshall, asked if he was shouting at Robbie Gould, told reporters
it was a team matter.
The Bears were hopeful they had turned their season around with the
big victory at Atlanta, and they had reasons for it. Quarterback Jay
Cutler was coming off an excellent performance, and an offensive
line that was struck by injuries earlier in the season, was intact
for the first time since the opener.
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But Miami outgunned Chicago, 393 yards to 224, nearly doubled the
Bears in first downs 24-14, and managed a 15-minute advantage in
time of possession. Cutler, who last week threw for 381 yards, the
highest total in his six seasons with the Bears, completed 21 of 34
passes for only 190 yards, lost a fumble and threw an interception.
Dolphins safety Rashad Jones said Miami noticed Cutler locked onto
his receivers and never looked away.
"I tried to take advantage," Jones said.
The score could have been more lopsided. Dolphins kicker Caleb
Sturgis missed a pair of field goals, one of which was blocked. One
Miami drive stalled at the Bears' 1-yard line. Another drive was
stymied by a sack just before halftime and the Dolphins elected to
punt on the final play rather than attempt a Hail Mary throw to the
end zone.
"The Chicago Bears should not be 3-4. Unacceptable," said Marshall.
Tannehill completed at least two passes to eight different
receivers. He finished with 25 completions in 32 attempts for 277
yards and two touchdowns.
"We were clocking offensively," Tannehill said of the 14-for-14
start. "Coach was calling great plays. I was in a rhythm."
"I thought he had real good command throughout the game," Philbin
said.
NOTES: Rookie CB Kyle Fuller, who shares the NFL lead with three
interceptions, suffered a hip injury in the third quarter and did
not return to the game. Fuller also had a nice pass read on a screen
pass, making a tackle for a loss, in the first quarter. ... The
Bears had not lost three straight home games in a season since 2007
and hadn't lost their first three home games in a season since 2004.
... Miami, which was is third in the NFL in rushing yards per carry,
averaged five yards per rush over the first three quarters, which is
one reason the Dolphins took control of the game. ... QB Ryan
Tannehill's 30-yard run was his second-longest of the season. He had
a 40-yarder against Green Bay the second longest run by a
quarterback in team history. ... K Caleb Sturgis, who had made 9 of
10 previous field-goal attempts for the Dolphins, missed twice, from
50 and 37 yards. He made field goals from 33 and 19 yards.
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