The Miami Dolphins lost 24-3 against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon at Lumen Field despite a solid defensive performance that included forcing two turnovers and recording three sacks.
Skylar Thompson, the quarterback, completed 13 of 19 throws for 107 yards in his first regular season start since Week 18 of the 2022 campaign. Due to a chest ailment, he was later declared out of the game after leaving in the third quarter. Thompson was replaced by Tim Boyle, a quarterback who made his Dolphins debut and went 7-of-13 for 79 yards.
After quarterback Geno Smith connected with wide receiver Tyler Lockett for an 18-yard gain to put the Seahawks in Dolphins territory, Seattle scored on the opening possession of the game. Then, with 10:49 remaining in the first quarter, kicker Jason Myers made a field goal from 56 yards out to put Seattle ahead 3-0.
The Seahawks used a combination of their passing and rushing attacks to move down the field rapidly after Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders missed a 57-yard field goal. Running back Zach Charbonnet put the Dolphins behind 10 points early on with a four-yard touchdown run.
After Jake Bailey punted 51 yards, Miami’s defense forced a crucial turnover.
While under pressure from Miami’s pass rush, Smith was picked off by cornerback Kader Kohou on a ball that was meant for Charbonnet and tipped into the air on third-and-15 from Seattle’s five-yard line. The Dolphins began the next offensive drive on Seattle’s six-yard line, but they were only able to make a 23-yard field goal since they couldn’t properly use the field position.
On the last play of the first quarter, Smith connected with Metcalf downfield for a 71-yard touchdown, the sole play of the spectacular scoring drive, which increased Seattle’s lead to 17-3.
With 0:46 remaining in the third quarter, defensive lineman Zach Sieler intercepted a ball that defensive tackle Calais Campbell had tipped, giving the Dolphins their second takeaway of the game.
Boyle took over at their own 48-yard line and led the Dolphins on an 11-play, 50-yard drive to Seattle’s two-yard line, but he failed to score after a fourth-down ball meant for running back De’Von Achane went incomplete.
Before Charbonnet’s second 10-yard run across the pylon at 4:55 in the fourth quarter gave Seattle the win, no side had scored.
With 30 yards on 11 carries, Achane led the Dolphins’ ground game. Jaylen Wright, a rookie running back, ran for 17 yards on two tries, his most productive day as a professional.
Tyreek Hill, a wide receiver, led Miami’s pass-catchers with three catches and 40 yards. In his Dolphins debut, receiver Dee Eskridge grabbed one ball for 30 yards, Miami’s longest play from scrimmage, while wide out Jaylen Waddle recorded a team-high four grabs for 26 yards. From 2021 to 2023, Eskridge spent three seasons with the Seahawks.
Security Cornerback Jalen Ramsey led all players with a game-high two tackles for loss, while former Seattle linebacker Jordyn Brooks and Jordan Poyer set the stage for Miami’s defense with a team-high nine tackles. Sieler and Campbell each added a sack in the second and third quarters, while defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand earned his first sack as a Dolphin on the game’s opening drive.
Miami will play the Tennessee Titans (0–3) at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, September 30. ESPN will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
