Miami Dolphins doing a lot with only a little from Ryan Tannehill
The Miami Dolphins, so far, have turned around their season over the past month without much help from quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Miami molded into a ground and pound team while Tannehill was asked to manage and simply not lose the game. He averaged only 201.7 passing yards in the Dolphins’ three previous wins, including just 149 passing yards two Sunday’s ago against the New York Jets.
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On a day when Miami’s running game wasn’t imperative and the defense made a quality of mistakes, the Dolphins needed Tannehill to carry the team and he fulfilled. Tannehill busted through his “game-manager/Alex Smith” label for at least one week by completing 15 of his first 18 passes for 240 total passing yards and two touchdowns in a 31-24 triumph over the San Diego Chargers.
Tannehill matched Philip Rivers stride for stride as the Chargers quarterback recorded more yards but also more costly mistakes. There were occasions when it was difficult to tell who was the future Hall-of-Famer and who was the game manager per say.
Philip Rivers’ third interception to Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso resulted in a 60-yard pick-six to give the Dolphins the game-winning score. In the Meantime, Tannehill was administered on Sunday. He showed his athleticism on two key plays.
First, a scrambling 39-yard touchdown throw to receiver Kenny Stills and another in the second half on an 18-yard scramble where he shunned two tackles to set up a third-quarter touchdown. His 56-yard throw to receiver DeVante Parker with four minutes left set up the tying field goal in the fourth quarter.
Tannehill played his best so far with his best game of the season, and the Dolphins needed every yard to pull out their first road win of the campaign. Despite the win though, running back Jay Ajayi ended his streak of three straight 100-yard games.
The Dolphins — who are now 5-4 — have a new head coach in Adam Gase. They are much tougher physically and mentally than last season and find themselves in a position to make a playoff push. If the Miami Dolphins can continue to win on the road, anything is possible. So far what I see is a completely different team and a team that is playing with confidence and a team that is showing mental toughness. I has been years since we’ve seen that.
Next, up we go up against the Los Angeles Rams. Now, as laughable as Rams offense might be, their defense is no joke. Nevertheless, the Dolphins have to run the ball and make the Rams offense pay. I mean, let’s be honest, no one is afraid of Case Keenum’s arms. Now there are reports that Jared Goff might start against the pins, but if he does just get ready for our defense once again “Awake” on Sunday.
READ MORE: Branch is the future of the Miami D-Line
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