The Miami Dolphins (5-3) will take on the Chicago Bears (3-5) on Sunday. The Dolphins have won back-to-back games for the first time since starting the season 3-0, most recently edging the Detroit Lions 31-27.
Detroit jumped out to an early 21-7 lead before Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa took the Lions to the woodshed in the second half. The 'Phins held the one-win Lions scoreless in the second half while Tua threw a go-ahead 11-yard touchdown strike to TE Mike Mesicki late in the third quarter.
Tua finished 29-of-36 for 382 yards and three scores. His top two weapons, speedster Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, combined for 20 receptions for 294 yards and two scores.
Meanwhile, the Bears got throttled by the Dallas Cowboys 49-29. With Ezekiel Elliot sidelined with a right knee injury, fellow Cowboys running back Tony Pollard went nuclear, running for 131 yards and a trio of touchdowns.
Chicago allowed Dallas to score touchdowns on their first four possessions as they fell behind 28-7. Quarterback Justin Fields played well, throwing for a season-high 17 completions (lol) for 151 yards and two scores. He added 60 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Running back Khalil Herbert continued to outplay his backfield mate David Montgomery. The former scampered for 99 yards on 16 compared to the ladder's 53 yards on 15.
Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears Betting Odds
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Tale of the Tape
The Bears are staring another mediocre season squarely in the face with a 3-5 start. They are easily the worst passing offense in the game, partially because of the play of former first-round pick Justin Fields and the play-calling.
The signal-caller is in the bottom three in the NFL in passing yards per game and passer rating among QBs with over 150 passing attempts. The run game is the calling card for OC Luke Getsy, ranking top two in the NFL in rushing attempts (285), rushing yards per game (1,507), and rushing yards per attempt (5.3).
Fields has played a significant role in the ground game, accounting for 424 yards and three scores this year.
The defense is terrible against the run but great against the pass. Opposing rushers gash the Bears for 5.0 yards per attempt but are 21st in net yards per attempt with a 6.5 clip.
The Dolphins arguably have their best offensive unit since the Don Shula-Dan Marino days. First-year head coach Mike McDaniel has unlocked the potential of QB Tua Tagovailoa with the help of off-season acquisition Tyreek Hill and second-year WR Jaylen Waddle.
Miami scores 25.6 points per game, with Tua starting and finishing the game, compared to 16 points when he doesn't. The lefty has missed time with concussion symptoms but should be full throttle against the Bears.
However, the Miami run game has struggled with free agent signee Chase Edmonds averaging 2.9 yards per attempt. McDaniel has since shifted to RB Raheem Mostert, who already leads the team in rushing yards (452) on a healthy 4.5 yards per carry.
The defense is mediocre but is better against the run. Opposing passers have thrown 12 touchdowns against four picks this year, while rushers average a below-average 4.2 yards per attempt.
Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears Betting Prediction
The team stats suggest that Tua Tagovailoa should light up the Bears' secondary. Meanwhile, Chicago plays right into Miami's defensive strengths. The 'Phins are a completely different team with Tagovailoa on the field. That alone gives us confidence in the AFC East team going into Soldier Field and leaving with a convincing win.
Prediction: Dolphins -4 (-110)
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