Quarter-by-quarter analysis: Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears

First quarter

▪ Impact player: Unpredictable as ever, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill made up for a slow start against Green Bay last Sunday to go 6 for 6 for 84 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter against the Bears. The performance was good enough to earn the quarterback a perfect 158.3 passer rating for only the second time in his career.

▪ Highlights: Miami’s offense got off to a good start in Chicago. In addition to Tannehill’s 84 yards, the Dolphins picked up 43 yards on the ground and cut through the Bears’ lackluster linebackers like a knife through butter.

▪ Lowlights: On the first play of the game, Bears’ tackle Jeremiah Ratliff beat Dolphins guard Mike Pouncey to sack Tannehill.

Second quarter

▪ Impact players: Miami's defense got Chicago off the field quickly on both drives. Safety Reshad Jones and linebacker Koa Misi cobbled together an interception and fumble recovery (Misi recovered when Jones fumbled on the return), and defensive backs Cortland Finnegan and Louis Delmas did their part to force the Bears to punt on Chicago’s next drive.

▪ Highlights: Mike Wallace became the first Dolphin to catch six touchdown passes in seven games since Mark Clayton did it in 1984 when he grabbed a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tannehill. Wallace’s touchdown put the Dolphins up 14-0 with just over five minutes left in the quarter, and a stellar Tannehill finished the half a perfect 10 for 10.

▪ Lowlights: Ratliff got to Tannehill for the second time in the game. Kicker Caleb Sturgis missed a 50-yard field goal.

Third quarter

▪ Impact player: Lamar Miller scored his fourth touchdown of the season with 36 seconds left in the third to send the Dolphins into the fourth quarter up 21-7. After a somewhat quiet first half, he rushed for 21 yards in the third quarter.

▪ Highlights: After the Bears’ first touchdown, the Dolphins’ offense went to work, keeping Chicago’s defense on the field for almost the rest of the quarter.

▪ Lowlights: Bears’ running back Matt Forte went completely uncovered to score Chicago’s first touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Jay Cutler.

Fourth quarter

▪ Impact player: Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake’s strip-sack of Cutler and fumble recovery ended the Bears drive abruptly, and kept Chicago’s defense on the field for even more time in the fourth quarter.

▪ Highlights: The fact that Miami was able to hold together a solid effort in two of three phases for a whole game should be enough to keep Dolphins fans content for a week. Even a late Bears’ touchdown couldn’t detract from an uplifting road win.

▪ Lowlights: Chicago’s Lamarr Houston blocked Sturgis’ 37-yard field goal after Tannehill had trouble putting together a drive. The block culminated a mediocre day for Miami’s special teams.

This story was originally published October 19, 2014 at 11:32 PM with the headline "Quarter-by-quarter analysis: Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears."