NFL Preseason Kickoff: Bears and Dolphins End First Game in a Tie
In the Miami Dolphins' preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, Tua Tagovailoa made a brief appearance, leading the team on a promising first drive. Tagovailoa completed five of six passes for 27 yards, demonstrating his usual efficiency with quick, accurate short-area passes, primarily targeting Malik Washington in the absence of starters Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The drive culminated at the Bears' one-yard line, marking Tagovailoa's first appearance in a preseason opener since 2021 [1][2].
In the second half, Case Keenum took over for the Bears and impressed with his performance. Keenum completed eight of ten passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns, including a crucial 14-yard strike to Jahdae Walker that gave the Bears a 24-21 lead with 8:38 to play [3].
However, the game was far from over. Quinn Ewers, a rookie, replaced Zach Wilson for the Dolphins and led them on a pair of scoring drives. Ewers completed five of eighteen passes, but his impact was felt as he erased a pair of three-point deficits for the Dolphins [4].
Jason Sanders' 56-yard field goal, set up by a 23-yard drive directed by Ewers, tied the game at 24-24 with 6:22 left [5]. Ewers continued to lead the Dolphins in the fourth quarter, ultimately contributing to 10 points and keeping the game competitive.
In the end, the game ended in a tie, with neither team able to secure a victory. Starting quarterback Caleb Williams did not play for the Bears in Ben Johnson's head-coaching debut, while Zach Wilson completed five of nine passes and directed two touchdown drives for the Dolphins before being replaced by Ewers [6].
This preseason opener provided an early glimpse into the potential of both teams, with Tagovailoa and Ewers showcasing their abilities in limited action. Fans will be eager to see how these young quarterbacks develop as the preseason progresses.
[1] [Link to source 1] [2] [Link to source 2] [3] [Link to source 3] [4] [Link to source 4] [5] [Link to source 5] [6] [Link to source 6]
Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins' quarterback, displayed his efficiency in a promising first drive of the preseason opener, targeting Malik Washington as starters Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle were absent. Later in the game, rookie Quinn Ewers replaced Zach Wilson and led the team on two scoring drives, contributing to 10 points and keeping the game competitive against the Chicago Bears. In the American Football league [NFL], sports such as football rely heavily on the performance of the quarterback, with Tagovailoa and Ewers being two standout examples in this preseason opener. The game ended in a tie, offering fans an intriguing look at the development of these young quarterbacks in the coming preseason games.
