Frankie Fins Week 6 Recap: Long Live Brock, a Roller-coaster Rider
What just happened, did we win did we actually win? The Miami Dolphins may have played one of the craziest games they have ever played, riding a rollercoaster of emotion that should come with health warnings for people with heart defects not to participate. Coming off two straight losses in Foxboro and Cincinnati, things could not look bleaker for the Dolphins as they were banged up on the offensive line and starting Brock Osweiler over Ryan Tannehill. The Bears meanwhile had a hungry defense that was among the best in the NFL.
Brock Osweiler however, was not bad as he avoided the big mistake in the first half, as the Dolphins scored the first time they had the ball, going 54 yards in seven plays with Osweiler connecting with Nick O’Leary on a five-yard touchdown pass. The Dolphins defense was masterful as they had Chicago bogged down, most of the half. Late in the second quarter, the Bears had a chance to tie the game, but Miami created another red zone turnover, as Robert Quinn stripped Jordan Howard at the one, with Kiko Alonso coming up with the recovery.
The start of the second half was when the roller coaster began its downward turn, as the Bears went 75 yards in three plays to find pay dirt, as Mitch Trubisky, who I am convinced is Ryan Tannehill’s clone, jump-started the drive with a 28-yard run. The drive was helped out by a costly pass interference by Minkah Fitzpatrick and completed with Trey Burton hauling in a nine-yard touchdown pass. With the game tied, Brock Osweiler made the one play he could not make throwing an interception Kyle Fuller who returned it to the ten, setting up an easy score, as Allen Robinson made a 12-yard catch from Trubisky. The Dolphins tried to stop the bleeding with a 50-yard field goal by Jason Sanders, but once again the defense was cooked as the Bears went 75 yards in three plays powered by a 54-yard pass play to Taylor Gabriel as Tarik Cohen made it 21-10 with a 21-yard run. Trying to get back in the game the Dolphins drove deep into Chicago territory but again settled for a 25-yard field goal by Sanders.
After allowing 21 points in the third quarter, the Dolphins defense needed to come up with some big plays in the fourth quarter, especially as the Bears drove down the to the doorstep again. Answering the call was T.J. McDonald with an interception in the end zone, yet another red zone turnover created by the Dolphins defense to get the roller coaster going back up. The Dolphins would go 80 yards in five plays after the interception, with Albert Wilson making all the plays for a 43-yard catch and score. After that, it was Kenny Stills who showed the skills making the two-point catch to tie the score 21-21. The Bears would get the lead right back with a steady 11-play 75-yard drive as Anthony Miller was wide-open across the middle for a 29-yard touchdown reception. The Dolphins also went 75 yards to tie the game, but need one play as Wilson off a short pass dart around the Bears defense like a racecar. Miami had a chance to win the game in regulation after Kiko Alonso jarred the ball loose from Cohen at the 45 with two minutes left, but their offense failed to move the ball and punted the ball away with the game going to overtime 28-28.
The Dolphins got the ball first in overtime and appeared to be heading for another three and out. However, lady luck smiled upon Miami with Kenny Stills catching a 35-yard pass that bounced off Danny Amendola. With a big 32-yard burst from Frank Gore, the Dolphins got the ball down to the goal line. This is where disaster struck as Kenyan Drake fumbled into the end zone, giving the Bears a touchback, with them needing just a field goal to win. The Bears used Jordan Howard to quickly move the ball into plus territory, but suddenly got conservative and looked content to try a long field goal.
With the Bears getting set to win the game, and other bad loss staring the Dolphins in their face, the prayers of their fans were answered as Cody Parkey, who was in Miami last season missed a 53-yard field goal. This is perhaps why Parkey pointed skyward because he knew the internet was collectively praying for a certain Fins Fan thanks to El Presidente.
Kenyan Drake got a chance to atone for his fumble, with three plays to get the ball into Bears territory, allowing the Dolphins to set up a Jason Sanders from 47 yards to deliver a 31-28heart stopping crazy win to move Miami to 4-2 on the season. Nobody was more relieved than Drake who dropped to his knees and let loose after Sanders kick sailed through the uprights.
Call me crazy, but I like the Brock Osweiler Dolphins, and I am ready for a quarterback controversy. Long live Brock and Roll. Let’s send Trashehill to the curb. The Frankie Fins Player of the Game is Albert Wilson, who made the comeback possible with two thrilling touchdown receptions, catching six passes for 155 yards, with an honorable mention to Jason Sanders for his three field goals, replacing Cody Parkey who choked on the other side of the field when he had a chance to win it.
Next week the Dolphins will be home again, playing another NFC North team coming off the bye week in the Detroit Lions. #FinsUp.