Jets' Ryan Fitzpatrick recovers, while Dolphins' Ryan Tannehill continues to sputter in 38-20 New York win

It seems so long ago that the Miami Dolphins held their first press conference with interim head coach Dan Campbell, as Campbell promised a culture change in Miami. The spark Miami got after firing Joe Philbin and promoting Campbell lasted for two games, but the Dolphins have been just 1-4 over their last five games after Sunday's 38-20 loss to the New York Jets.

"We got whipped the first time [Miami played the Jets]. We got whipped the second time," Campbell said.

Central to Miami's issues is the seeming regression of quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill was 33 of 58 for 351 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, fine numbers at first blush. But the Dolphins were a putrid 4 of 15 on third down, starting the game 0 of 8. Tannehill was intercepted on third down on Miami's second possession, and the Jets turned the pick into their first touchdown of the day.

By the time the Dolphins converted for the first time on third down, with 4:25 to play in the third quarter, they were already in a 21-0 hole.

Amazingly, Miami's third-down play on Sunday was an improvement over the first time it faced New York, in London in Week 4: that day, the Dolphins were 0 of 12. Philbin was fired the next day.

Tannehill's performance seems to underscore the Miami coaching staff's belief that Tannehill cannot carry the team, as Miami Herald columnist Armando Salguero wrote.

“What I’ve told Ryan is, ‘I don’t need Superman.’ … I just want to make sure my message to him is don’t try to be someone you’re not. Just manage the game for us. Make the throws that are there, which he will," Campbell told Salguero some weeks ago.

But if Campbell and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor believe Tannehill is more of a game manager, why does Miami run the ball so little? On Sunday, Tannehill attempted 58 passes but only handed the ball off nine times. Part of that can likely be attributed to the Dolphins getting into such a big hole, but last week against Dallas in a game that was close for three-plus quarters, Miami had 14 carries, three of them by Tannehill.

But the Miami front office loves Tannehill, believing he is their QB of the future.

Wrote Salguero:

I know this because I was walked through the exercise by the team Friday. And when I balked at names such as Bortles and Newton, the Dolphins pushed back strongly, giving reasons Tannehill would be their preference long term. ...

The point is the Miami front office is convinced — convinced — Ryan Tannehill has franchise-quarterback skills and checks boxes other franchise quarterbacks check. The front office believes Tannehill is possibly even a top-10 quarterback.

And this is where something will eventually give.

The fact is Tannehill so far this season has played more like the quarterback the coaching staff thinks he is than the front office thinks he is.

And perhaps that's all we need to know about the state of the Dolphins right now, who are now 4-7 and headed for their seventh straight season without a playoff appearance. That was also the last year they were over .500.

On the flip side, just days after trimming down his bushy beard, saying he wanted to "switch up the mojo" after poor performances against the Bills and Texans, New York quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was 22 of 37 for 277 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions.