Miami Surprises Chicago: Three Things We Learned

Ryan Tannehill is growing up before the eyes of the Miami Dolphins faithful. The third-year quarterback threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns, and the Dolphins got back on track with a 27-14 victory over the listless Chicago Bears on Sunday.

While the Dolphins went to war with the Packers last week, only to lose in the closing moments, Miami was in control of this game from the start.

Tannehill connected on his first 14 passes and was 25 of 32 overall, helping Miami bounce back from a brutal 27-24 loss to Green Bay. It looked as if the Dolphins were on their way to a big win over the Packers before Aaron Rodgers threw a 4-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds.

Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said he felt good about his team's mindset after it had a great practice on Tuesday, according to ESPN.com.

"That kind of set the tone for the week," he said. "Guys came in the building, had great workouts, great meetings, the work on the practice field was very good, so I think all of us had a lot confidence the team was going to play well."

Lamar Miller also had a 2-yard touchdown run for the Dolphins (3-3), who had lost three of four since an opening victory over New England.

The Bears (3-4) remained winless in three home games and have dropped five of their last seven at Soldier Field dating to last year. Matt Forte scored two touchdowns and Jeremiah Ratliff finished with a career-best 3 1/2 sacks.

Here are three things we learned from Sunday afternoon.

STARTING OUT FAST

Tannehill threw for 176 yards in the first half, picking apart Chicago's defense with ease. He found tight end Charles Clay for 13-yard score, and then had a 10-yard TD pass to Mike Wallace in the back of the end zone.

The Bears, Meanwhile, looked listless and out of sorts. Linebacker Shea McClellin, back after being sidelined since Week 2 by a hand injury, slipped in coverage on Clay's TD, and the offense was hurt by curious play calling and Cutler's seventh interception.

CUTLER’S FAULTS

Jay Cutler threw an interception and lost a fumble as Chicago dropped to 0-4 when he throws at least one pick. He was 21 for 34 for 190 yards after he threw for 381 yards in last Sunday's 27-13 victory at Atlanta.

GAME NOTES

The Bears lost rookie CB Kyle Fuller to a hip injury in the third quarter. He was first announced as questionable to return, but the Bears announced in the fourth that he would miss the rest of the game. ... Miami improved to 4-1 at Chicago. The Dolphins also won in their previous trip to Soldier Field, 31-13 on Nov. 5, 2006.