Seahawks Defense Shines in Near Shutout of Dolphins
From the opening whistle, it was clear that the Seahawks were ready to take command of this game. With an emphasis on starting fast on both offense and defense, Seattle’s first drive ended in a 56-yard Jason Myers field goal, setting the tone early. On the other side of the ball, the defense stifled Miami’s first two possessions, giving the Dolphins little room to operate. By halftime, it was evident: the Seahawks were dominating, particularly on defense. While the offense showed flashes of greatness, the steady backbone of Seattle’s success was its unwavering commitment to complimentary football, led by defensive captain Tyrel Dotson.
Miami’s decision to defer after winning the coin toss seemed to backfire, as the Seahawks went to work immediately. Although the first drive was far from a masterpiece—covering just 28 yards in eight plays—Myers’ field goal was a sign of things to come. The Dolphins' first offensive attempt looked promising, but they missed a 57-yard field goal, handing the momentum back to Seattle. Seattle capitalized quickly with a fast-paced 58-yard drive in under two minutes, punctuated by a Zack Charbonnet four-yard touchdown run. At 10-0, the Dolphins needed a spark, but Seattle’s defense was not about to let that happen.
Miami appeared poised to strike back on its second drive, with Skylar Thompson, filling in for an injured Tua Tagovailoa, connecting on a 23-yard pass to Jaylen Waddle. Yet just as Miami began to find a rhythm, Seattle’s defense shut the door. Two consecutive plays for losses—including a brutal 14-yard sack on third down—forced Miami to punt, and any hope of a Dolphin resurgence quickly faded. The Seahawks’ defensive unit, embodying Dotson’s mantra of “having your brother’s back,” proved its dominance time and again.
The Seahawks’ third offensive possession, however, revealed some of the team’s more frustrating tendencies. A short pass from Geno Smith, intended for Charbonnet, was tipped and intercepted at Seattle’s 8-yard line. Miami turned that gift into a mere field goal, thanks to another gritty defensive stand. That would be the last time the Dolphins would see points on the board.
Seattle’s offense responded almost immediately. Just three plays later, Geno Smith found DK Metcalf for a 71-yard touchdown bomb, effectively crushing Miami’s spirit. By the end of the first quarter, it was 17-3 in favor of the Seahawks, and the Dolphins never recovered. Though neither team scored in the second quarter, Seattle continued to exert control. Seattle's defense held Miami to punts and sacks, keeping the pressure on while forcing mistakes.
As the second half wore on, Seattle’s defense only grew stronger. Thompson was knocked out of the game early in the third quarter, forcing third-string QB Tim Boyle into action. Miami, desperate to keep the game alive, turned it over on downs at the Seattle 2-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Seattle's response was methodical. A 13-play, 87-yard drive ended with Charbonnet's second touchdown of the game, sealing a 24-3 victory.
While the Seahawks’ offense had its moments, it was the defense that stood tall, holding Miami to a dismal 1-of-12 on third-down conversions and completely shutting them out on fourth-down attempts. Seattle’s pass defense, now top-ranked allowing just 3.5 net yards per pass on the season, added another dominant performance to its resume and solidifying its spot as one of the league's best.
In the end, the Seahawks served up a heavy dose of complimentary football—led by Dotson’s defense—and it proved to be the winning prescription once again.
By: Peter Duncan, Sports Writer for The Seattle Facts Newspaper
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