Chicago Bears Fall 27-14 to Miami Dolphins: Rapid Reaction
Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay (42) scores a touchdown in the first quarter of their game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears dropped to a record of 0-3 at home by a final score of 27-14 in their loss to the Miami Dolphins. It feels like this game was over before it started. The Chicago Bears looked listless and complacent right out of the gates. Besides Jeremiah Ratliff who had 3.5 first half sacks and Matt Forte with another terrific all-around performance including a pair of TD’s, there weren’t many signs of life on the Chicago sideline. I just don’t understand this team. They win games on the road they have no business winning and then come home against an inferior opponent and continually shoot themselves in the foot in all phases of the game.
The Bears made a feeble attempt at a 4th quarter comeback, but after they cut it to a 10-point game, they proceeded to let the Dolphins march down to field to effectively ice the Bears out of time and out of answers.
Jay Cutler should get a hefty portion of the blame. With great rewards come great responsibilities. In other words, when you get paid a king’s ransom, the team needs to win because of you, not in spite of you. He went 21/34 for 190 yards with 1 TD, 1 INT and a fumble on a strip sack.
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Head coach Marc Trestman didn’t do Cutler any favors with his game plan. Matt Forte ran the ball twice in the first half. It didn’t look like there was much of a plan on offense and they never found their rhythm. When the Bears were given a golden opportunity on their first drive, they took a deep shot on third and one rather than trying to move the chains and sustain a drive to build up a lead. The Bears best offensive play was a pass interference penalty.
On the defensive side, the Bears didn’t have any answers for Ryan Tannehill. Yes, that’s right. Ryan freaking Tannehill just carved up the Bears defense on the road, completing his first 13 passes en route to a 25/32 game for 277 yards and a pair of TD’s. Tannehill added 48 yards rushing as the Bears had no answer for the read option. Lamar Miller added 61 yards and a TD of his own. To make matters worse, the Bears lost rookie Kyle Fuller to a hip injury. That’s a big blow to a Bears secondary that’s already without a couple of starters.
There were some signs of life of the defensive line. Jeremiah Ratliff had 3.5 first half sacks and Lamarr Houston added a few pressures to go along with a blocked FG. Willie Young had a decent game and Jared Allen had a half a sack but is still looking for his ever first win at Soldier Field.
The loss drops the Bears to 3-4 and with games at New England and at Green Bay on the schedule on either side of the bye, it sets up as a rough stretch for Marc Trestman and the Bears. Then again, they win on the road and lose at home, so who knows what to expect?