The Miami Dolphins fell short in a 24-3 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Lumen Field. The game, characterized by a potent Seattle offense and a struggling Dolphins team, left Miami reeling from missed opportunities and a relentless Seahawks defense.
First Quarter: Seahawks Set the Tone Early
The game began under cloudy skies, with the Seahawks winning the toss and electing to receive. Seattle wasted no time in asserting their dominance. On their opening drive, Seattle’s quarterback Geno Smith led the Seahawks down the field efficiently. After a series of short passes and a 13-yard run by running back Zach Charbonnet, Seattle found themselves in field goal range. Jason Myers nailed a 56-yard field goal, putting the Seahawks on the board first with a 3-0 lead.
The Dolphins responded with a promising drive of their own. Miami’s backup quarterback Skylar Thompson connected with running back De’Von Achane for a 22-yard gain, moving the Dolphins into Seahawks territory. However, the drive stalled at Seattle’s 39-yard line after a failed third-down conversion. Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders attempted a 57-yard field goal but missed wide left, giving the ball back to the Seahawks.
Seattle capitalized on the missed opportunity with another well-executed drive. Smith’s 18-yard pass to tight end Noah Fant and a 22-yard connection with DK Metcalf set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Charbonnet. With Myers’ extra point, Seattle extended their lead to 10-0.
Second Quarter: Miami’s Struggles Continue
The Dolphins’ offense struggled to find rhythm throughout the second quarter. Penalties and sacks disrupted Miami’s drives, and the Seahawks’ defense proved formidable. A holding penalty against Miami nullified a 10-yard run by Achane, and on the next play, Thompson was sacked by Darrell Hall, forcing another Dolphins punt.
Seattle, meanwhile, continued to press their advantage. Smith remained poised, leading another scoring drive capped off by a 71-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf just before the end of the first half. This play was a backbreaker for the Dolphins, who had just managed to score a field goal of their own minutes earlier. The Seahawks headed into halftime with a commanding 17-3 lead.
Third Quarter: Defensive Battle
The third quarter was marked by a defensive battle, with neither team able to add to the scoreline. Miami’s offense continued to be stymied by Seattle’s defense, which sacked Thompson and forced a turnover on downs. The Dolphins’ defense, however, began to show some resilience, intercepting Smith twice—first by Kader Kohou and later by Zach Sieler—but these turnovers did not translate into points.
The Dolphins’ struggles were compounded when Thompson left the game due to an injury. Backup quarterback Tim Boyle stepped in, but Miami’s offensive woes persisted, and they ended the quarter still trailing by 14 points.
Fourth Quarter: Seahawks Seal the Victory
Seattle’s dominance carried into the fourth quarter. A long, methodical drive saw the Seahawks march 98 yards down the field, with Charbonnet scoring his second rushing touchdown of the day on a 10-yard run. The drive highlighted Seattle’s balanced attack, with contributions from multiple receivers and a strong ground game.
Boyle managed to string together a few positive plays for the Dolphins, including a 30-yard pass to Dee Eskridge, but the Seahawks’ defense held firm, preventing Miami from reaching the end zone. Seattle’s final touchdown effectively sealed the game, extending their lead to 24-3.
Miami’s final drive ended in disappointment as they turned the ball over on downs after a failed fourth-down conversion. Seattle ran out the clock, securing their 24-3 victory.
Key Performances and Takeaways
- Geno Smith led the Seahawks with 289 passing yards and a touchdown, despite two interceptions. His connection with DK Metcalf was particularly effective, with Metcalf racking up 104 yards on six receptions, including the 71-yard touchdown.
- Zach Charbonnet was a workhorse for Seattle, rushing for 91 yards on 18 carries and scoring two touchdowns. His performance on the ground was crucial in keeping Miami’s defense off balance.
- The Seattle defense was relentless, sacking Dolphins quarterbacks six times and forcing multiple turnovers. Darrell Hall stood out with two sacks and consistent pressure throughout the game.
- For the Dolphins, Skylar Thompson struggled under constant pressure, completing 13 of 19 passes for 107 yards before leaving the game due to injury. His replacement, Tim Boyle, could not turn the tide, finishing with 79 yards on 13 attempts.
- De’Von Achane was a bright spot in an otherwise dim outing for Miami, leading the team in rushing with 30 yards and adding 28 receiving yards. However, Miami’s inability to establish the run game—gaining only 65 yards on 18 carries—was a major factor in their defeat.
- Miami’s defense, though outmatched for most of the game, had moments of success, particularly with the two interceptions. However, their inability to stop Seattle’s rushing attack and the big plays in the passing game proved costly.
Looking Ahead
The Seahawks improved their record to 2-1 with the win, displaying the type of balanced offense and stifling defense that could make them contenders in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Dolphins dropped to 1-2 and will need to address their offensive line issues and find more consistency at the quarterback position if they hope to turn their season around.
As the Dolphins head back home to prepare for their next game, they will need to regroup quickly. The Seahawks, on the other hand, will look to build on this dominant performance as they continue their pursuit of the NFC West title.
