The NFL’s late window opened today at 4:05 PM Eastern time with the Seahawks hosting the beat-up Dolphins who were without starting QB Tua Tagovailoa. Seattle came into the game 2-0 instead of Miami, who came in 1-1. From the start of this one, the Seahawks dominated the Dolphins on both sides of the ball. After a strong opening drive led to a field goal, Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders missed a kick that helped set up a Zach Charbonnet TD run. Charbonnet and WR D.K. Metcalf both added two more touchdowns as the Seahawks finished with a 24-3 win. Let’s take a deeper dive into how the Seahawks dominated the Dolphins on Sunday.
Seahawks Defense
The Seahawks defense flourished today as expected with Tua being out. Going into the game, the expectation was for Seattle to dominate this depleted Miami offense, and they did just that. Seattle’s defense only allowed 205 total yards this afternoon as well as holding the Dolphins to 1/12 on 3rd downs.
A problem for Seattle in prior years has been the rushing defense which allowed 100+ yards a game last year. The Seahawks showed signs of improvement today only allowing 65 rushing yards while going against one of the more efficient ground games in the NFL. With the improvements to the rush defense individual players have succeeded greatly, including Derick Hall and
With the improvements to the rush defense individual players have succeeded greatly, including Derick Hall and Boye Mafe as they continue their upward trajectory. Hall emerged this year after a good training camp registering two of Seattle’s six sacks as well as a forced fumble along with 4 QB hits. Mafe is coming off a 9-sack breakout campaign and looks even better this year picking up sacks in all of Seattle’s first three games. Even with the departure of Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy due to injury, the Seahawks have an improved pass rush.
Seahawks Offense
Another pretty impressive showing from the Seahawks offense this week, Seattle finished with 370 yards picking up 200 through the air and 100 on the ground. New offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has unleashed the passing game the last two weeks and star receiver D.K. Metcalf has gone ballistic.
Metcalf had his 2nd straight week with over 100 receiving yards with 71 of them coming on one touchdown catch. QB Geno Smith was solid in this one finishing with 289 passing yards and a 95.7 passer rating. The 2 interceptions Smith threw could have been avoided but were tipped causing the ball to fall right into the Dolphins laps.
On the ground, Zach Charbonnet stepped up in the absence of Kenneth Walker picking up 91 rushing yards and two touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards a carry. Seattle is hoping Walker will be ready to go next week and in his 1 start this season went for over 100 rushing yards. The tandem of Walker and Charbonnet is one of the best in football but until Walker is healthy, they are in good hands with Charbonnet.
Looking Forward
The Seahawks have taken care of business the last 3 weeks, earning wins against teams they were all favored to beat. Next week they have their toughest matchup to date against the 2-1 Detroit Lions. The Lions are bringing one of the top offenses in the NFL to town and will be a good test for this improved defense. Ultimately if the Seahawks want to contend in the NFC, a win against the Lions will put them in a good position going forward.