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Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill went toe-to-toe with the Denver Broncos' future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning on Sunday, and Tannehill did not blink. The third-year passer went 26-for-36 for 228 yards and three touchdowns, nearly identical to Manning's 28-for-35, 257 yards, and four touchdowns. Tannehill did have one interception, compared to none for Manning, though that pick was clearly not on Tannehill, as the ball bounced off the hands of receiver Jarvis Landry and to T.J. Ward. Tannehill finished the game with a 104.9 passer rating, while Manning had a 135.4.
Tannehill also had a rushing touchdown, which ties him with Manning for the four touchdowns scored.
It was another great day for Tannehill individually. It does not mean anything in terms of wins and losses, or the team's chances to make the playoffs this year, but it does continue a trend of upward performances by the player many hope is Miami's franchise quarterback.
In Miami's last four games, Tannehill has gone 103-for-142 for 963 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. that's a 127.7 passer rating over a quarter of the season, as well as a 72.5-percent completion rate. He's topped the 100 passer rating in three of those four games and five of the Dolphins' last eight contests.
With two games to go in Week 12, Tannehill is currently 14th in the league in passing yardage (2,582), eighth in completion percentage (66.1-percent), tenth in touchdown passes (20), and eleventh in passer rating (93.4). Tannehill is getting more comfortable in the new offensive system installed this year by first-year offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, and Lazor is getting more comfortable with the skill set of his quarterback. They appear to be taking the next step in the evolution of the Miami passing game together, which is exactly what this team needs.
The Dolphins have been looking for a quarterback to stabilize the position since Dan Marino retired in 1999. Tannehill appears to be developing into exactly that player.