SAN DIEGO -- Let's be honest: The Miami Dolphins, for the most part, turned around their season over the past month without much help from quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Miami transformed into a run-first team while Tannehill was asked to manage and simply not lose the game. He averaged only 201.7 passing yards in the Dolphins' three previous wins, including just 149 passing yards last week against the New York Jets.

But on a day when Miami's running game wasn't dominant and the defense made a variety of mistakes, the Dolphins needed Tannehill to carry the team -- and he delivered. Tannehill busted through his "game-manager" label for at least one week by completing 15 of his first 18 passes for 240 total passing yards and two touchdowns in a 31-24 victory over the San Diego Chargers.

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Tannehill outdueled Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who had more yards (326) but also more costly mistakes (four interceptions). At times it was difficult to tell who was the future Hall of Famer and who was the inconsistent, middle-of-the-pack quarterback. Rivers' third interception to Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso resulted in a 60-yard pick-six to end the game.

Meanwhile, Tannehill was dealing on Sunday. He showed his athleticism on two key plays. First, a scrambling 39-yard touchdown throw to receiver Kenny Stills and another in the second half on an 18-yard scramble where he eluded two tackles to set up a third-quarter touchdown. His 56-yard throw to receiver DeVante Parker with four minutes left set up the tying field goal in the fourth quarter.

Tannehill shined bright with his best game of the season, and the Dolphins needed every yard to pull out their first road win of the season. Running back Jay Ajayi (79 yards) ended his streak of three straight 100-yard games.

Miami went a full calendar year since their last road victory, which was on Nov. 12, 2015, against the Philadelphia Eagles. But a lot has changed since then. The Dolphins (5-4) have a new head coach in Adam Gase, much more mental and physical toughness than last season and find themselves in position to make a playoff push.

If the Dolphins can continue to win on the road, anything is possible. They play four of their next six games away from Hard Rock Stadium.