What is the definition of a nail-biter?
We heard the Miami Dolphins were notorious for it, and they did it again.
The Dolphins went up to Chicago and outlasted a tough Chicago Bears team in an offensive battle, 35-32. The Dolphins moved to 6-3 with the win, and the Bears, who are better than their record indicates, dropped to 3-6. Here are my takeaways from the game.
1. Tyreek Hill = MVP Candidate
Once again, the Dolphins offense came to play. Specifically, potential MVP Tyreek Hill came to play. The NFL’s leading receiver had himself a day, catching seven balls for 143 yards, including a three-yard touchdown reception. Halfway through the season, he has 76 receptions for 1,104 yards and three touchdowns catches. He is on pace for multiple records, and currently has more receiving yards than 10 NFL teams.
Despite Tua having some glaring missed throws and under-throws, he had an amazing day, completing 21-of-30 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns. Tua is the NFL’s top-rated passer, and can be considered an MVP candidate as well.
Jaylen Waddle, the NFL’s fourth-leading receiver, had five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Also, Jaelan Phillips blocked a punt and Andrew Van Ginkel returned it for a touchdown in the first half.
2. Justin Fields Masterclass.
The Chicago Bears dominated in their own way: the run game. This was Chicago’s fourth straight game with 225 total rushing yards. They are the first team to do it since the 1976 Steelers.
QB Justin Fields had himself a game, making it proven that he is “HIM”. Passing-wise, Fields only completed 17-of-28 passes for 123 yards, while tossing two touchdowns to Cole Kmet and Darnell Mooney.
But that was the least of what Fields did Sunday. He ran for 178 yards on 15 carries, including a 61-yard touchdown run to cut the game to 28-25 early in the third. Fields also converted multiple third downs to extend drives for big yards.
Fields would keep the Bears in the game for the entirety of the contest, but after a controversial non-PI call on third down, he threw an incomplete pass, deciding the Bears fate.
Simply, it was Fields’ best game of his young NFL career. The 23-year-old broke Michael Vick’s NFL record for most rushing yards by a QB in a regular season game (178).
3. Ugly 4th Quarter.
Wasn’t it supposed to be a stress-free Sunday? Well, the Dolphins gave Dolphins fans everywhere a feeling of anxiety.
After the Dolphins got stopped at the Bears 35, Da’ Bears would cut the Dolphins lead to three. The Dolphins would get stopped AGAIN on fourth down when Tua under-threw Durham Smythe in the red zone. Tua also under-threw a deep pass to Waddle that would have locked the game up.
On the Bears final drive, the refs bailed out the Dolphins with a clear PI that would have given the Bears a fresh set of downs in Miami’s territory. Overall, it was ugly but the Fins stuck it out. A win is a win.
4. New Trade Deadline Acquisitions
Both the Dolphins and Bears were active at the trade deadline.
The Bears notably lost their two best pass rushers, but landed star WR Chase Claypool, who recorded two receptions for 13 yards in Sunday’s contest.
The Dolphins landed a star pass rusher in Bradley Chubb, who did not do much, but RB Jeff Wilson Jr. made an impact. Wilson had nine carries for 51 yards and a receiving touchdown.
Next up, the Miami Dolphins host a team from Ohio: the Cleveland Helmets.