The 3-5 Chicago Bears travel to Miami to take on the 4-4 Miami Dolphins in week 9 and this game didn’t disappoint fans of either team, well except for Bears fans once the game was over. In a game that featured so many points, the Miami Dolphins were able to force a three and out on the first possession of the game for the Chicago Bears. Russell Willson and company marched down the field with relative ease following that defensive stop, but on 2nd and 6, Russell Wilson intended on throwing a quick screen to Jaylen Waddle, but his hand slipped, and he threw a backwards pass straight into the dirt. The ruling on the field was a fumble and the Bears recovered on the back end. The Miami Dolphins have had repetitive disastrous outcomes in the redzone time and time again this season and in this game they were 60% in the redzone. They had five chances to score in the redzone and only converted on three of them. However, one of those chances came at the very end of the game when Russell Wilson connected with Jaylen Waddle on a deep post. Waddle possession caught the ball and went down on the goalline as opposed to running it in the endzone for a touchdown. The Chicago Bears would then drive down the field and Justin Fields threw a perfect touch pass to Cole Kmet to give the Bears the first points of the game. The Dolphins and the Bears would then go down a score a touchdown a piece and all the momentum was in Chicago’s favour until Justin Fields missed his tightend wide open on a corner route and instead check the ball down, but Byron Jones was waiting for the ill-advised pass. Byron Jones was able to intercept the pass and race down the field for a touchdown. The Miami Dolphins would hold the lead throughout and they defeated the Chicago Bears 56-42.
The Miami Dolphins had one of their best offensive performances of the season while simultaneously giving up the most yardage on defense than the team has ever had in its existence. The Dolphins were able to pass the ball efficiently and they were able to run the ball. Starting halfback took a backseat this week to Miles Gaskins. Salvon Ahmed wasn’t happy with the backup role, but Coach Fallen assured him that he just wanted his superstar running back to stay healthy and be ready in his role the latter half of the season. Ahmed carried the ball twice for 10 yards, his first run of the game went for 8 yards. Ahmed didn’t register a catch this game and that is the first time this season that he has been held without a catch. Miles Gaskin carried the ball 17 times for 94 yards. He steadily moved the chains but was unable to breakaway for the second level of the defense. Gaskin is on the last year of his contract, but with Salvon Ahmed breaking out last season, the Dolphins aren’t looking to give a big contract to a backup running back. Gaskin is asking for just under $4M per year, so it’s not breaking the bank money, but the Miami Dolphins may just look to fill the position in the draft.
Offensive Statline of the Week –
Russell Wilson and Will Fuller – Russell Wilson completed 20 of his 24 passing attempts. He threw for 432 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He completed 83% of his passes against the Bears and his lone interception came on a deep throw with just twenty seconds left before halftime. His intended target had beat his man over the top, but the corner was able to jump up and undercut the ball before it was able to drop into the awaiting arms of Will Fuller. Russell Wilson is having one of the best seasons of his career and he is currently in the running for the MVP race. It’s no surprise that Wilson has found success in Miami, he is surrounded by one of the best receiving corps in the league.
Will Fuller has been relatively quiet so far this season, but he was due for a breakout game and that came against the Chicago Bears. Fuller led the team in receptions and touchdowns. He had 8 receptions for 124 yards and 4 touchdowns. Will Fuller doubled his touchdown total for the year, he had only caught 3 touchdowns through 8 games so far this season. Two of his four touchdowns came against a pressed man defense and it came at a perfect time for Fuller. He was feeling a bit out of the offensive game plan and had come to Coach Fallen before the game to ask about getting back into the rotation.
Defensive Statline of the Week –
Byron Jones –
The Miami Dolphins defense 592 total yards this week, but 550 of those yards were through the air. The Dolphins looked completely lost at times, especially when trying to cover Darnell Mooney. The explosive receiver had 7 receptions for 264 yards and 3 touchdowns. His three touchdowns came against three different defenders. Noah Igbinoghene, Kareem Jackson, and Steven Nelson were caught flat footed throughout this game when trying to cover the deep ball. However, Byron Jones was able to force a turnover when his team needed it the most. Byron Jones undercut his flat route and stepped in front of Justin Fields’ intended target. Byron Jones had 6 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 touchdown. This is his second interception returned for a touchdown in consecutive weeks. Jerome Baker was also able to intercept a pass by Justin Fields and return it for a touchdown. Steven Nelson was the third Dolphin to intercept Fields, so despite giving up a ton of yards, the Dolphins were able to force the Bears to make mistakes.
The Miami Dolphins are hoping to get back to their winning streak when they travel to New York to take on the Jets next week. The New York Jets are having a tough season so far, but they are heading into this game after humiliating the Cleveland Browns this week. The Jets are at their best when they can play mistake free football, but Coach Fallen will have his team prepared to pull out a victory next week.
