Instant takeaways as Miami Dolphins lose 24-3 to Seattle Seahawks on dismal day
Tim Boyle could be the Miami Dolphins’ starting quarterback next week vs. Tennessee.
That alone sums up the kind of trip the Dolphins had to Seattle, where they lost 24-3 Sunday while losing their second quarterback to injury in two weeks.
Skylar Thompson, starting in place of Tua Tagovailoa, was knocked out of the game in the third quarter with a chest injury. There was no immediate word on the severity of the injury, but it was indicative of a dismal day for the Dolphins:
- There was confusion getting plays in and getting plays off in time.
- There were far too many penalties, especially on special teams.
- There were far too few third-down conversions.
- There was nowhere near enough Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
- Never has Oct. 27 — the first day Tagovailoa is eligible to return from concussion off injured reserve — seemed so far away.
The Seahawks led 10-0 after their first two possessions and never looked back. The Dolphins had a chance to make things interesting when Boyle, elevated off the practice squad Saturday, drove the team following a fourth-quarter interception by Zach Sieler. But tight end Durham Smythe narrowly missed hauling in his fourth-down pass that would have cut the deficit to 17-10.
Thompson was largely ineffective, completing 13 of 19 passes but for only 107 yards, no TDs and no interceptions. He was sacked five times.
Miami’s problems at quarterback are costing the Dolphins their most effective weapons on offense. Last year after three games, the Dolphins were 3-0. Receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle had combined for 50 targets, 33 receptions, 576 yards and four touchdowns. This year, the Dolphins are 1-2. Hill and Waddle have combined for 37 targets, 26 receptions, 370 yards and one TD.
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Here are our takeaways:
No. 1 rule for backup QB stepping in: Secure the ball!
Thompson could have committed turnovers on both of Miami’s first two possessions.
First, he was lucky a throwaway didn’t result in an interception.
Then things got worse.
Miami’s problems getting the play call in quickly, and breaking the huddle with time to spare, reared their ugly head on the second possession. At one point, McDaniel was on the brink of calling timeout, which he should have done. Instead, McDaniel saw Thompson was going to (barely) get the play off. He did, but fumbled. Luckily for him, left tackle Terron Armstead fell on it on the Miami 39.
No. 2 rule for backup QB: Release the ball!
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier poked fun at reporters, again saying they were more concerned with the offensive line than he is.
That was before the season.
Maybe he’s more concerned now.
Thompson was sacked five times and forced out of the game in the third quarter with a chest injury. Some of it was Thompson’s fault. Some of it wasn’t.
If Thompson is going to survive this month in place of Tagovailoa, he must try to unload the ball about as quickly as Tagovailoa. Must.
Beyond that, the offensive line must perform far better — and that’s despite an injury to tackle Terron Armstead that triggered several changes along the line.
And that includes knocking it off when it comes to all those penalties.
Please explain those penalties, Danny Crossman
To be fair: The Dolphins’ special teams had an exceptional day in the opening win over Jacksonville.
As good as they were that day, that’s how bad they were Sunday.
We’re not talking about Jason Sanders missing a 57-yard field goal try wide left. From that kind of distance, it’s understandable.
But four special teams penalties? In the first half?
It’s tough to explain how that’s even possible. Although coordinator Danny Crossman will be asked to do just that when he meets with reporters late in the week.
Inexcusable.
Taking a close look at McDaniel’s fourth-down decisions
Nobody ever accused McDaniel of being shy when it comes to gambling on fourth down. But he was gun shy on the first possession this time. He didn’t go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Seattle 39, instead sending in Sanders to try a 57-yard field goal. Sanders missed wide left. Had Sanders made it, he would have tied the score at 3-3. But a miss may well have been more costly than a successful kick would have been rewarding. Seattle took possession on its 47 and was in the red zone five plays later. Just like that, Zach Charbonnet ran 4 yards for a touchdown and a quick 10-0 lead.
The likely defense for McDaniel: With Thompson making his first start since 2022, points probably were at a premium. Still, a 57-yarder, even in today’s NFL, is a healthy kick.
Apparently deterred, McDaniel eschewed a 58-yard try later in the first half on a fourth-and-13 from the Seattle 39. Unfortunately, Jake Bailey’s punt resulted in a touchback, netting Miami only 19 yards.
This and that …
No matter how dire things look, Sieler always shows up to play. Always. Sieler even had an interception off a ball deflected by Calais Campbell. … Emmanuel Ogbah and Kader Kohou combined on an interception to hand the Dolphins the ball on the Seattle 6. Unfortunately, it resulted in only a field goal. … It appears not even the heralded Kevin Harlan effect can help the Dolphins now. The CBS announcer had been hailed by Dolphins fans as the team’s good-luck charm. … Safety Jevon Holland’s bid to make his first Pro Bowl (and help land a lucrative second contract) wasn’t helped when DK Metcalf flew past him on that 71-yard touchdown pass. … Tight end Julian Hill was nailed for three penalties.
Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.