A lot has been made about the Miami Dolphins’ identity.
Are they a physical team? What will they do at cornerback? Can they effectively run the ball?
All those questions and more were answered Sunday as the Dolphins tied the Chicago Bears 24-24. The Dolphins sent a lot of pressure at the Bears, recording five sacks but also forcing quarterbacks to make plays outside of the pocket. Offensively, all three of the Dolphins touchdowns came on the ground courtesy of running backs Alexander Mattison, Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II.
The Dolphins defense began their day with two consecutive three-and-outs. On the first drive, linebacker Willie Gay Jr. and defensive tackle Benito Jones combined for a sack of Chicago Bears’ Tyson Bagent.
Tua Tagovailoa would start the game under center. In just one series, the sixth-year quarterback caller looked sharp, throwing only one incompletion in six attempts to lead the Dolphins to the Chicago 1-yard line. That is, unfortunately, when the Dolphins’ struggles to covert short-yardage situations once again resurfaced as Miami ended up losing yards on Wright’s three attempts to score.
Although the Tagovailoa-led drive took nearly 10 minutes of game time, it ended with a turnover on downs.
“In the red zone, we wanted to establish our pad level,” Tagovailoa said Sunday, calling the inability to score “another growing opportunity”.”
The swap for Tagovailoa in favor of quarterback Zach Wilson led to the first score of the day. A deep pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for 35 yards got the Dolphins deep into Bears territory. Six plays later, Mattison scampered into the end zone for the 1-yard score. The seven-year veteran finished with 8 yards on three attempts and a touchdown.
Although the Bears responded with a long drive of their own capped off by former Florida International University’s Maurice Alexander’s an athletic, toe-touch score, edge rusher Derrick McLendon notched a sack.
“It’s honestly just coming to work every day and doing my job,” said McLendon who has looked rather impressive during training camp.
Another Wilson possession showcased the former No. 2 pick’s deep ball as this time he found wideout Tahj Washington for 34 yards to put the Dolphins just outside of the red zone. Wright would finish the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run to put the Dolphins back up 14-7. The second-year tailback had nine rushes for 16 yards and a score.
Bagent would throw his only pick of the game on the following drive. The interception came after cornerback Ethan Bonner tipped the pass intended for wide receiver Samori Toure. Safety Patrick McMorris caught the ball and rushed another 20 yards.
Wilson, however, would subsequently take sacks, the last of which came on fourth down. Bagent then connected with rookie receiver Luther Burden for 13 yards to put the Bears in field goal territory. With time expiring, kicker Cairo Santos knocked in the 57-yard boot to shrink the lead to 14-10 at halftime.
The Dolphins’ first drive would end with another Wilson sack, giving way for rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers. Wilson finished the day with 96 passing yards on 55% completion.
With Case Keenum in to replace Bagent at quarterback, the 37-year-old led the Bears into the red zone. The Dolphins defense then came alive, stopping the Bears at the goal line thanks to run stops by defensive tackle Matt Dickerson, inside linebacker Dequan Jackson and McLendon.
Ewers first seven plays were disastrous to say the least. He not only didn’t complete a pass but lost a fumble deep in his own territory.
With the Bears beginning on the Miami 3-yard line, Keenum would find tailback Deion Hankins for the touchdown catch to get their first lead of the day 17-14.
Ewers responded with a 49-yard touchdown drive of his own that Gordon certainly powered. His first carry went for 21 yards and he later scored his first touchdown. Outside of De’Von Achane, who had three carries for 22 yards on the opening drive, the rookie was the most productive tailback. Gordon turned his eight attempts into 33 yards and a touchdown. He also added one catch for 39 yards.
“Just showing my teammates I can play,” Gordon said of his mindset during his first run. “I didn’t want to let them down.”
Two unnecessary roughness calls on McLendon and linebacker Eugene Asante gave the Bears great field position on the subsequnet drive. Keenum took full advantage, connecting with receiver Jahdae Walker for the 14-yard score and giving the Bears the 24-21 lead.
Ewers found a bit of rhythm on one of his second to last drive of the day. His 18-yard pass to wideout AJ Henning helped set up get the Dolphins into field goal range. Jason Sanders’ 56-yard field goal tied the game at 24.
While both teams had chances to lead game-winning drives, both were unable to do so. Ewers’ day ended with a rather disappointing 63-yards on roughly 27-percent completion.
“I don’t think anyone should think this was the best, this was the worst” performance, Tagovailoa emphasized. “This was their first opportunity, especially for Quinn.”
The Dolphins will have another two opportunities to showcase their growth in preseason, the first of which will come Saturday against the Detroit Lions.