BY SEAN DONOVAN
The Miami Dolphins needed someone to step up in a big way to put a halt to their three-game losing streak. And, in an encouraging sign for the franchise's future, it was their heralded rookie quarterback who did.
Ryan Tannehill played spectacularly in the fourth quarter as the Dolphins won a thriller over the Seattle Seahawks, 24-21.
"In this league you need to win some games like this," coach Joe Philbin said, according to the Associated Press. "It's important for any quarterback to do that."
Kicker Dan Carpenter made a 43-yard field goal as time expired to seal the final margin of victory.
Miami executed touchdown drives of 82 and 80 yards in the final period against the normally-stingy Seattle defense. Tannehill's 29-yard touchdown pass to backup tight end Charles Clay with just over five minutes left knotted up the score at 21.
Seattle would reach Miami territory on the ensuing possession, but the Dolphins' defense forced three consecutive negative plays to force a punt.
Tannehill would do the rest.
At his own 10-yard line with just 1:32 remaining, the former first-round pick connected with wide receiver Davone Bess for gains of 19 and 25, and also scrambled for 15 yards by himself.
Tannehill completed seven of nine passes for 156 yards, a score and no turnovers in the final stanza.
Carpenter, who has been criticized often this season for missing key field goals, then booted the game-winning score through the uprights.
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