Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins Put Up Season-Defining Performance vs. Chicago Bears

By Alexander Christian @CouchGuyRants on October 19, 2014

The Miami Dolphins may very well be the NFL’s version of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” and today, the Dolphins were Jekyll. While watching the first half, Dolphins fans audibly wondered, “Where has this Miami Dolphins’ offense been all year?”

Ryan Tannehill was simply fantastic, completing his first 14 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns, and ending the game with an impressive stat line of 25-32 for 277 yards and two scores, along with 48 rushing yards. On the ground, it was running back by committee, but the combination of Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas, Damien Williams and, of course, Ryan Tannehill, was effective enough to facilitate excellent opportunities in play action, and Tannehill delivered strikes to the open receivers. In short, it was exactly what Dolphins fans have been waiting for.

Defensively, the Dolphins held the Chicago Bears scoreless through the opening half, as Jay Cutler consistently felt pressure from an attacking defense that dominated the line of scrimmage. In the secondary, Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan proved height doesn’t matter, defending a number of passes from Cutler to the much taller Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. The unit, as a whole, forced three turnovers, and never allowed the Bears to establish any semblance of offensive rhythm.

It was the kind of performance that can define a season. Coming off last week’s last-second letdown against the Green Bay Packers (who coincidentally dismantled the Carolina Panthers today), the Dolphins and head coach Joe Philbin desperately needed a win.

This result, however, was more than anybody could have asked for. It serves as proof Bill Lazor’s offense can work here in Miami, and that Ryan Tannehill is the man to run it. Defensively, it shows the team, especially the secondary, is tough enough to go up against a bigger team and dominate. It’s a win Miami Dolphins fans can feel good about, and provides hope this team is capable of going on a run towards the playoffs in an AFC East up for grabs.