Sanders bails out Drake, lifts Dolphins over Bears in OT
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Kicker Jason Sanders turned teammate Kenyan Drake’s fumble into a footnote.
Drake lost the ball when the Miami Dolphins were on the verge of victory, but thanks to Sanders it didn’t matter. The rookie made a 47-yard field goal as time expired in overtime Sunday for a 31-28 victory over the Chicago Bears.
Miami’s Brock Osweiler threw for a career-high 380 yards and three touchdowns subbing for Ryan Tannehill, who sat out because of an injured throwing shoulder.
“Today felt like a heavyweight title fight,” Osweiler said. “What this team did today was so special. Nothing was perfect, but in the end we found a way.”
The Dolphins took the kickoff to start overtime and marched 74 yards, but Drake fumbled just before crossing the goal line. Eddie Goldman recovered for the Bears.
They drove to the Miami 35, but former Dolphin Cody Parkey was wide right on a 53yard field-goal try with 2 minutes left. Drake then had a 15yard reception to help set up Sanders’ field goal.
When the ball sailed between the uprights, Drake sank to both knees on the field and bowed his head in gratitude and relief.
“That’s the great thing about this sport and this team: When you’re down, you’re never out,” Drake said.
Albert Wilson turned two short passes into long touchdowns in the fourth quarter for the Dolphins, who overcame an 11-point deficit in the final 16 minutes of regulation.
“It was definitely a roller coaster,” Wilson said.
Miami (4-2), which began the day tied with New England for the AFC East lead, ended a two-game losing streak. Chicago (3-2) had a three-game winning streak snapped but remained atop the NFC North.
“Games like this sting,” receiver Allen Robinson said. “It stings for everybody.”
The Bears’ offense came alive after they trailed 7-0 at halftime. Miami then rallied from a 21-10 deficit to tie the game twice and force overtime.
Mitchell Trubisky threw for 316 yards and three secondhalf touchdowns, but the Bears were hurt by two turnovers in the red zone. Jordan Howard lost a fumble at the 1, and Trubisky was intercepted in the end zone by T.J. McDonald.
Trubisky a threw a 29-yard pass to Anthony Miller for a go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter, but Miami needed only one play to tie it again, with the dynamic Wilson weaving through the secondary for a 75-yard score.
Wilson earlier scored on a 43-yard catch and run.
“Once I get going, I’m going to make guys miss,” Wilson said.