DAVIE, Fla. -- The term “game manager” is a label often thrown around in the NFL, and it’s usually not viewed as a compliment. The assumption is that the quarterback being called that is too limited to carry an offense and, therefore, must be heavily managed.

The moniker fits Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill's performance over the past month perfectly. Tannehill beat the New York Jets 27-23 with just 149 passing yards in Week 9.

It was Miami’s third win in a row, and Tannehill is averaging 201.7 passing yards over that span. Most importantly, Tannehill hasn’t turned over the football in the past three games while the offensive line and running back Jay Ajayi have carried the team.

Ryan Tannehill has been solid if unspectacular during the Dolphins' three-game win streak, throwing for 201.7 yards per game with two touchdowns and no picks. Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports

It's no doubt Tannehill has been carefully managed during Miami's winning streak -- and that’s a good thing.

“No quarterback should be offended,” Dolphins offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said. “It should be a compliment, but it kind of has this derogatory term of making you a non-playmaker [and] you just manage the game. Absolutely not. ... I think game manager for a quarterback falls in that one that has this negative connotation, but not inside the coaching rooms it doesn’t. Not at all.”

Is Tannehill a game manager long-term? The statistics prove that is his best course for victories.

Tannehill is an impressive 16-6 in his career when throwing fewer than 30 pass attempts, which includes a 2-0 record this season. In contrast, Tannehill is 17-33 when throwing 30 or more times and 2-16 when throwing 40 or more passes.

It is evident that Tannehill is not the kind of quarterback who can carry a team with his arm. Two offensive coordinators (Mike Sherman, Bill Lazor) have tried that in Miami and failed.

Christensen and head coach Adam Gase have taken a different approach and figured out that Tannehill, in his fifth season, has the best chance for success when the Dolphins are relying more on other parts of the team, such as a strong running game and good defense.

The Dolphins’ offensive line has paved the way for Ajayi to post 529 rushing yards in the past three games, which set the tone and foundation for the offense. The formula also got Miami (4-4) to .500 for the first time this season.

“I look at it as the quarterback’s job is to make sure he puts his team in the best position to win a game,” Gase said. “I mean, I’m sure Alex Smith really doesn’t care how many times he goes to the playoffs as long as he’s going. Call the guys game managers. Their job is to win.”

It’s interesting that Gase references Smith. For the past three seasons, that’s the ceiling I’ve had for Tannehill when he’s at his best, playing mistake-free football and not forced to carry a team.

Lately, Tannehill has looked a lot like Smith, who wins plenty of games with the Kansas City Chiefs (6-2) without putting up big numbers. Tannehill has been efficient with fewer pass attempts, and scrambles when he has to.

As long as the victories continue to pile up, that is just fine with Tannehill. The Dolphins will travel to play the San Diego Chargers (4-5) on Sunday in the first of consecutive West Coast games.

“Whatever it takes,” Tannehill said. “Obviously, [149 yards] was plenty last week. If we need 300 this week, then that’s what we need. It’s just a matter of game by game [doing] whatever it takes to move the chains and put points on the board.”