The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Miami Dolphins 24-3 today, and the score is accurate to the theme of the game. It was a dominant win from start to finish for the Seattle Seahawks.
The game started with a long 56 yard field goal for Jason Myers. The Dolphins then took over and were moving the ball through the pass and run game, Devon Achane and Jalen Wright were featured. Jason Sanders set up for a 57 yard kick, but missed wide left. The Seahawks then took advantage of the field position and punched a touchdown in with Zach Charbonnet run up the middle.
Later in the quarter, the Dolphins intercepted Geno Smith with his back to the endzone. The ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage and Kader Kohou brought in the interception at the 8 yard line. The Dolphins couldn’t capitalize however, as Skylar Thompson missed an open Jaylen Waddle on 3rd down and flooded a decent pocket.
They settled for 3, but Geno Smith made it a 2 touchdown game in one play. DK Metcalf used a double move to freeze up safety Jevon Holland and left him in the dust. This is a theme that has exposed Holland, as last week against Buffalo he gave up a big play being out of position.
After this, the Dolphins defense settled in, the offense however did not. Skylar Thompson and the offense was as dysfunctional as you could have imagined, and it took him getting injured to see a difference. Tim Boyle stepped in for Thompson, and the offense saw life. Watching him, the offense was more under control, there were less procedural penalties, and the ball was on time and more accurate. Boyle led a drive in the 4th quarter that almost led to a touchdown, but his pass intended to Durham Smythe was not brought in.
The game ended with Zach Charbonnet rushing for another touchdown, and the Dolphins couldn’t respond. My thoughts on the game are that it went about how I expected, the Dolphins got punched in the mouth and shot themselves in the foot. Seattle is a good well rounded team, but Miami’s 11 pre snap penalties are unacceptable.
Mike McDaniel has issues with his football team and it starts with him. McDaniel is regarded as an offensive genius, but why can his teams not move the ball and score points when Tua Tagovailoa is out? McDaniel’s play calling remains questionable when the run game is working and he abandons it to throw with his backup quarterback. To me, it is clear that Tagovailoas efficiency has masked some of the issues in McDaniels play calling and execution on game day.
On the defensive side of the ball, it looked ugly at first but the Dolphins settled in. They gave up a touchdown in garbage time, but before that they did not allow a point for 2 straight quarters. Zach Sieler had an interception and sack today, he is a clear leader on this defense and will not allow them to kill their team. More players like Sieler need to emerge on the offense if they want a chance to be a contending football team in the future.
So, where do the Dolphins go from here? I think it starts with self reflection. Mike McDaniel needs to adapt and understand that Tagovailoa is not under center right now, he needs to rely on the run game and simplify the calls for his QBs. Speaking of quarterbacks, I think Boyle or Tyler Huntley deserves the nod next week. Boyle looked confident and could move the ball, but Huntley is the best healthy quarterback on the roster. One of those two quarterbacks makes the Dolphins chances better against the Titans.
On defense, the Dolphins need to wake up earlier in the games. It has been 3 weeks in a row they have given up points early and often. They have played better football once they settle into the game, but putting a struggling offense behind the 8 ball early is not helping their chances to win the game. It is paramount the Dolphins start fast on offense and defense.
The Dolphins host Tennessee next week on Monday night football, we will see if these questions will be addressed then.