Keys To Victory: How Will Chicago Bears Stop Miami Dolphins?
By Usayd Koshul
1) Shutdown Ryan Tannehill
Entering Sunday, Ryan Tannehill is one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL versus the blitz. However, the Chicago Bears have blitzed the least amount of any NFL team this season. This means it’ll be interesting to see what the Bears defense has in store for Sunday.
Top QBs in the league this year when BLITZED!
— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) October 8, 2018
Drew Brees and Alex Smith both on there (in different areas) as we prepare for #WASvsNO on #MNF.#GoPackGo #SeizeTheDEY #GoSaints #GoBucs #Seahawks #LARams #Skol #HTTR #GoNiners #GoBills #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/qabbI1E50j
In four games this season, Tannehill has been sacked 11 times, while the Bears have sacked opposing quarterbacks 18 times this season. Just like their week four matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccanneers, the key to winning will be shutting down the quarterback. In other words, getting after Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is a must in this game.
In the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in week five, the Bengals consistently brought pressure up the middle. This led to the Dolphins offensive line eventually collapsing and Tannehill making poor decisions and forcing throws. As a result, Miami turned the ball over three times, two of which came in the fourth quarter. The Bears will need to bring pressure up the middle and off the edge with Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Leonard Floyd, and Khalil Mack.
Entering Sunday, Ryan Tannehill has tossed five interceptions and knows that he must have a turnover-free day in order for Miami to have any chance against a Bears defense that lives off turnovers. If the Bears can begin to disrupt Miami’s quarterback, then the entire Dolphins offense could end up collapsing.