There was
On one hand, Dolphins’ second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed eight consecutive passes, looking decisive and precise over his second and third series against a tough Bears defense. Then, he threw an interception in the end zone on his final throw, unable to convert an impressive drive into points.
After the Dolphins dominated much of the early going behind their defense, the Bears came back when backups took over the action, topping Miami, 20-13.
Tagovailoa, the former Alabama standout looking to make a Year 2 leap in the NFL, had tight end Adam Shaheen open in the end zone from 14 yards out, but he found him too late on his one mistake. By the time he threw it, Bears safety DeAndre Houston-Carson stepped in front of Shaheen for an easy interception.
But before that, Tagovailoa was rolling. He lofted up a beautiful pass to tight end Mike Gesicki over the top of linebacker Alec Ogletree on third-and-4 that went for 50 yards after Gesicki’s run after catch. The Dolphins settled for a 21-yard Jason Sanders field goal after back-to-back Malcolm Brown runs from the 1-yard line came up short, the third-down try losing two yards.
Tagovailoa made sharp intermediate throws in the middle of the field to tight end Durham Smythe and wide receiver Mack Hollins, and another crisp pass toward the sideline to Hollins was negated by a holding penalty by left tackle Austin Jackson.
Tagovailoa was 0 for 2 on his opening series as the Dolphins went three and out. Tagovailoa’s first pass was on target on a corner route to Shaheen, but Shaheen dropped it. Third-and-8 was a throw away with the Bears’ pass rush pushing the pocket back.
Tagovailoa finished 8 for 11 for 99 yards with the interception his final throw after completing three series.
Backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett led a touchdown drive in the two-minute drill at the end of the first half, capping the series with a 23-yard strike to running back Salvon Ahmed on a wheel route. Brissett finished 6 of 10 for 67 yards and the touchdown.
Miami’s defense did not allow a Chicago first down until the final seconds of the first half. Nik Needham defended Andy Dalton’s third-and-3 pass to force the Bears to punt on their first series. Rookie wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had an impressive 24-yard punt return that followed, making multiple Chicago special teamers miss.
The second defensive series was also ended by an impressive pass breakup from safety Eric Rowe, knocking away a third-and-2 pass to Bears tight end Cole Kmet after the two got involved in a quick scuffle in a joint practice on Thursday.
Needham had another deflection in the nickel on a second-quarter pass to the middle as the Dolphins got their hands on several throws by Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields. Defensive lineman Christian Wilkins had one at the line of scrimmage, and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene had a third-down breakup.
Miami had another deflection almost result in an interception as safety Clayton Fejedelem extended to tip a Fields pass that nearly ended up in cornerback Javaris Davis’ hands.
The Dolphins dominated the first half while the first and second units were on the field, forcing the Bears into five consecutive three-and-outs to start Saturday’s exhibition and holding them to 79 yards on 21 plays in the first half.
With Chicago down, 13-0, Bears kicker Cairo Santos hit a 53-yard field goal to conclude the first half. It started a run of 20 unanswered points for the Bears as more backups entered into the action. Fields ran 8 yards for a touchdown to start the second half, and he later found tight end Jesse James for a wide-open 30-yard strike later in the third quarter.
To start the fourth quarter, tight end Chris Myarick lost a fumble after a 14-yard catch from third-string quarterback Reid Sinnett. The Bears kicked a field goal in the fourth quarter, and finished by taking a knee on first-and-goal after the Dolphins allowed a 39-yard run by Ryan Nall but stopped him from scoring on the play.
