MIAMI – Things looked bleak just a week ago for Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Home fans chanted for backup Matt Moore in response to Tannehill's struggles in a loss to the Tennessee Titans. Tannehill would admit that hearing those jeers hurt him. And various local and national media called for Miami to move on from Tannehill sooner rather than later.

But Tannehill showed his resolve Sunday, bouncing back with his best performance of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tannehill was sharp – completing 16 of his first 22 passes – and picked apart the Steelers' defense to lead Miami to a 30-15 victory.

There were no boos for Tannehill in this game -- only cheers as the Dolphins improved to 2-4 on the season.

For the first time since Week 1, Tannehill didn't have a turnover. He threw for 252 yards and even had a little magic in the second quarter. On a play that looked like an improvisation from Brett Favre, Tannehill shook off a would-be sack, scrambled to his left and hit tight end MarQueis Gray down the field for 53 yards. It was the kind of play and overall performance that should silence Tannehill’s many critics -- at least for another week or two.

Throughout Tannehill’s struggles, Dolphins coach Adam Gase continued to back his quarterback and proclaim that things will “look different” once he gets solid pass protection and other parts start clicking around him. Gase was correct on Sunday.

Miami’s offensive line, boosted by the return of left tackle Branden Albert and rookie left guard Laremy Tunsil, kept Tannehill clean and created holes in the running game. Jay Ajayi also had a monster game with a career-high 204 rushing yards and two touchdowns, which kept the Steelers off balance.

Miami’s defense also did its part by pounding the Steelers’ high-powered offense. The Dolphins roughed up Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with two sacks, two interceptions and a knee injury that temporarily knocked him out the game in the second quarter.

All of this contributed to Tannehill’s solid day. He had time to spread the ball around to nine different receivers and played with a lead for the entire second half. The game looked easy for Tannehill for the first time this season, and this could create some momentum. The Dolphins have another big home game next week against the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills (4-2).

It remains to be seen if Tannehill is Miami’s long-term solution at quarterback. He has a $96 million contract that the Dolphins could get out of this offseason without a huge penalty.

But Gase is giving Tannehill the full season in his offense before making that important decision. Tannehill rewarded Gase for his patience on Sunday.