Close Miami Dolphins loss predicted by BearGoggleson.com writer
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins will play the Chicago Bears today and they may be doing it without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. That could change predictions.
Earlier this week we talked with Mike Burzawa of BearGogglesOn.com to get his take on this weeks match-up between the Miami Dolphins and the Chicago Bears. You can read the answers to his questions by going here.
There are still rampant jokes around the NFL about the trade of Khalil Mack but not towards the Bears were you surprised they made such and investment and how do you feel about those future picks being gone?
The joke seems to be on John Gruden and the Raiders after Mack has exploded out of the gates. He’s brought such a strong presence to an already good Bears defense to make them great through four games. As camp unfolded, it was clear that the Bears were a little thin at pass rusher. Meanwhile, the Mack holdout for with the Raiders dragged on. The Mack to the Bears rumors were more fodder for bloggers than anything real or tangible. I was shocked when Ryan Pace pulled off the deal to get Mack. Of course, it hurts to lose the picks, but getting a second rounder back certainly softened the blow. The trade for Mack signified that the Bears are ready to win now and through four games, they’ve proven that to be the case.
Jordan Howard is a fantastic runner and the Dolphins have done a pretty good job against running backs this season but what do you think Tarik Cohen will bring in the passing game? Miami struggles with pass catching RB’s.
There was a lot made of Jordan Howard’s lack of touches in the Bears blowout win over the Tampa Bay Bucs a couple of weeks ago. With a big first half lead, it seemed like a great time to try to get Howard going in the second half, yet he still didn’t see much action. There have been concerns about Howard’s “fit” within Matt Nagy’s offense. Howard is more of a patient runner who sets up blocks and gets stronger as the game goes on, while Nagy’s offense looks for more of a quick, one-cut runner.
Look for the Bears to try to get Howard going in spots to take some pressure off Mitch Trubisky. Cohen brings another dimension to the Bears offense; he’s the lightning to Howard’s thunder. The Bears will line him up anywhere and look to get him matched up on a linebacker. As good as the Dolphins linebackers are, they will struggle to match Cohen stride for stride. If he gets out in space, look out.
Who is the weakest in the Bears secondary? The Dolphins may or may not have DeVante Parker back but they still have a lot of speed on the outside with Albert Wilson, Jakeem Grant, and Kenny Stills.
The Bears secondary is very much improved over recent years. Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller are the primary corners and are getting paid top dollar. Bryce Callahan has done really well in the slot, even pulling off a couple of blitzes out of that position. Keep an eye out for second year safety Eddie Jackson, who’s becoming quite the ball hawk.
Amukamara has been nursing a sore hamstring and missed the last game, but hopefully coming off a bye, he’s back at full strength. If he’s unavailable or cramping up in the south Florida heat, undrafted rookie Kevin Tolliver has been filling in. He could offer an opportunity for Ryan Tannehill to exploit the Bears secondary.
As you mentioned in your questions, there is a familiarity between the Dolphins coaches and Vic Fangio, do you think that he has the necessary knowledge of Gase and Loggains to give them fits?
I don’t think it hurts Fangio to know the tendencies of the Dolphins offensive coaches. I’m sure the Bears have done some extra film study to try to pick up any formations or other tip-offs. At the end of the day, it comes down to execution and which players can execute the game plans.
Protecting Trubisky will be a big key to this game for the Bears on offense and the Dolphins have two very good edge rushers. How do you think the tackles will hold up against Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn?
This is the matchup that scares me the most on Sunday. Mitch Trunisky had his “breakout” game against the Bucs in large part due to great pass protection and a clean pocket. Trubisky can get rattled and be forced into making mistakes. The Bears tackles have done a decent job protecting Trubisky, but I don’t think they’ve gone against the caliber of pass rushers as Wake and Quinn. I expect the Bears to try to fire some screens at the Dolphins to slow down the pass rush.
What are your predictions for this weeks game? (this was pre-Tannehill injury news)
This game scares the heck out of me. I feel like any season when I think the Bears are going to be good, the Dolphins are there to remind me that they’re not quite ready for prime time. I’m thinking when they ruined our perfect season in ’85 and killed our undefeated 7-0 run in 2006.
I think the Bears have a slight edge coming off their bye week. The Bears defense can get to Ryan Tannehill and the Bears offense can do just enough to get out-of-town with a W.
Bears 23, Dolphins 21