VICTORY LEAP
Dolphins overcome late fumble for overtime win against Bears in Osweiler’s 1st start
Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki (86) leaps over Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the second half of the Dolphins’ 31-28 overtime win in Miami Gardens. The Dolphins snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 4-2 this season.
“We like playing at home, I know that. We like it hot. The other team wears down eventually and we just keep fighting.”
— Dolphins coach Adam Gase
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins were on the verge of losing their third consecutive game in heartbreaking fashion.
Running back Kenyan Drake fumbled what would have been the go-ahead touchdown in overtime, nearly spoiling Brock Osweiler’s first start as Dolphins quarterback.
Fortunately for Miami, the Dolphins found new life.
Former Dolphins kicker Cody Parkey, who signed with Chicago in the offseason, almost had the last laugh, missing a 53-yard field goal for the Bears with two minutes left in overtime.
Then, the Dolphins put their faith in Drake again, as he had two short runs and a 15-yard reception in the flat to spark Miami’s final drive. Osweiler found receiver Danny Amendola in the flat for a 6-yard gain, and rookie kicker Jason Sanders made a game-winning 47-yard field goal to give the Dolphins a 31-28 victory on Sunday in Hard Rock Stadium.
“I like this locker room. I like the way these guys keep fighting,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said after the win. “We like playing at home, I know that. We like it hot. The other team wears down eventually and we just keep fighting.”
The Dolphins forced three turnovers and put up 541 yards on one of the NFL’s best defenses, but nearly squandered their comeback, which was led by veteran offseason acquisitions like Osweiler, Amendola, receiver Albert Wilson, and running back Frank Gore, in overtime.
Gore broke free for a 32-yard run to get Miami inside the 10-yard line, and the Dolphins reached the 1-yard line before Drake’s miscue.
Drake took a handoff at the
1-yard line, was hit by Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, and fumbled the football before crossing the plane for a debilitating Dolphins turnover on the first drive of overtime.
But the Dolphins were able to prevail to snap a twogame losing skid, and improve to 4-2 this season.
“It was back and forth. Chicago is a great team, but we’re a great team,” said Gore, who finished with 101 yards rushing. “We worked our behinds off, and one thing I would say about this team is we’re all one. It showed [Sunday].”
Osweiler, who took first team repetitions in Friday’s practice, earned the start on Sunday morning after Ryan
Tannehill was ruled inactive.
Tannehill worked out before the game and received treatment with the intention of playing, but ultimately watched from the sidelines in street clothes.
Osweiler, a starter with the Texans and Broncos, improved to 14-12 after his 26th career start, which resulted in a career-high 380 yards passing with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
“My whole mentality was [to] make the most of this opportunity, do whatever it takes to help your team get a win and have fun with it,” Osweiler said. “And that’s really what happened.”
The Dolphins allowed the Bears to take a 21-10 lead in a matter of minutes in the beginning of the second half.
+Bears second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky, the former No. 2 overall pick, took advantage of Dolphins second-year cornerbacks Torry McTyer and Cordrea Tankersley in coverage, finishing 22 of 31 with 316 yards and three touchdowns and one costly interception.
Bears speedster Tarik Cohen shredded the Dolphins’ defense, too, with seven catches for 90 yards and 31 yards on the ground.
That’s until the Dolphins mounted a comeback of their own.
Osweiler found Wilson on a short pass that saw him run past six defenders for a 75-yard touchdown to tie the game at 28 with 3:01 left.
The touchdown helped the Dolphins score on one play from scrimmage shortly after Trubisky found a wide open Anthony Miller in the middle of the field for a 29-yard touchdown to take a 28-21 lead with 3:17 left.
“Before I left the sideline, I told [Osweiler] they left too much time,” said Wilson, who finished with 155 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
The Dolphins spoiled Chicago’s final drive of regulation as linebacker Kiko Alonso forced a fumble by Cohen that was recovered by Xavien Howard near midfield.
But Miami was unable to take advantage of their third turnover of the game. Osweiler’s screen pass to Wilson went for five yards near midfield. Instead of kicking a 59-yard field goal with 41 seconds left, the Dolphins punted inside the 10-yard line, and the Bears took a knee to force overtime.
The Dolphins took a 7-0 lead into halftime, but it took 1:42 of offensive plays on two drives for Chicago to take control of the game.
Trubisky tossed an inside pitch to tight end Trey Burton for a 9-yard touchdown, threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Allen Robinson to take a 14-7 lead after an Osweiler interception, and Cohen sped his way up the left side for a 21-yard touchdown to give Chicago a 24-10 lead with 6:50 left in the third quarter.
Sanders paced the Dolphins offense with a 50-yard and 25-yard field goal before making their push in the fourth quarter.
The Bears threatened to score again, but Dolphins safety T.J. McDonald intercepted Trubisky in the end zone — Miami’s second turnover forced inside the red zone in the game to keep the score close.
The Dolphins quickly scored after the turnover, as Osweiler found Wilson for a screen pass that went 43 yards for a touchdown. Then, Osweiler found Stills in the back of the end zone to tie the game at 21 on the two-point conversion.
Osweiler was stellar, but not perfect.
On the Dolphins’ second drive of the game, Osweiler threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to new tight end Nick O’Leary for his first touchdown of the game. But in the final minute of the first half, he threw an interception intended for DeVante Parker near the goal line.
It is unclear how long Tannehill will be sidelined, but Osweiler was more than serviceable in his first start for the Dolphins, who host the Lions next Sunday.