Friday, November 19, 2010

Bears vs. Dolphins: Chicago Shuts Out Injury-Riddled Miami on Thursday Night

The Bears stormed into Sun Life Stadium and terrorized Tyler Thigpen behind a patchwork offensive line en route to a 16-0 blanking on the road. The Dolphins, a team seriously considered a playoff contender at least heading into the night, saw the their destructive injury bug do yet more damage -- shuffling the offensive line and landing Brandon Marshall in street clothes.

What was a 6-0 defensive battle in the first half that soon turned into a real beating.

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler made a living off Miami on third down, leading the Bears to 9-for-16 on an efficient night for them offensively.

A few quick thoughts on the game:

• Cutler was money both scrambling and passing. In the second quarter he scrambled 16 yards on third-and-16. In the third quarter he passed to tight end Greg Olsen for eight yards on third-and-eight. Cutler carved up the Miami defense.

• Miami's offense is decimated. The Dolphins are down to their third-team quarterback (Thigpen) because both Chad Pennington (shoulder) and Chad Henne (knee) went down to injuries last week. Miami is down to its third-team center (Richie Incognito) because Thursday's starter, backup center Cory Procter, was injured during the game.

• Miami is also down to its backup left guard (Pat McQuistan) because Incognito, the usual starter, shifted to center. And, let's not forget Marshall is now out with a hamstring injury.

• Miami's defense couldn't get off the field. Chicago had the ball 37 minutes while Miami only had it for 23, but that unit did manage to sack Cutler three times.

• Chicago (7-3) was viewed skeptically by many, but the Bears might have notched their second quality win of the season Thursday when they traveled to Miami and defeated the Dolphins (5-5) on a short week. Chicago's previous victories were against Detroit (2-7), Dallas (2-7), Green Bay (6-3), Carolina (1-8), Buffalo (1-8) and Washington (4-5). The Packers one is a quality win, and you could argue any road victory is a quality victory, but doing it on a short week is even better.

• Thigpen ended up as Miami's leading rusher with 27 yards on six carries as he was running for his life all night long. His Dolphins are now 5-5 with a tough schedule still ahead.



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