Just three games into his time as head coach, Mike Macdonald has the Seattle Seahawks off to a great start and already leads the division by two games.
Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins are once again unsure about their quarterback situation.
“All that matters is that we win, however that we get it done,” Seattle QB Geno Smith said. “I’m not really particular about that, but 3-0, it’s a great start.”
Smith threw for 289 yards and connected with DK Metcalf for a 71-yard touchdown. Zach Charbonnet rushed for two touchdowns, and the Seahawks defeated the Dolphins 24-3 on Sunday, while the focus shifted to another injury to a Dolphins quarterback.
After losing Tua Tagovailoa to his third concussion in two years, Miami saw Skylar Thompson suffer a chest injury in the second half, forcing Tim Boyle to step in while trailing 17-3.
Boyle couldn’t lead a comeback, leaving the Dolphins (1-2) with more questions about their QB situation.
Miami coach Mike McDaniel said Thompson had a painful rib injury.
“You have to look at everything and you have to find a way to give your team the best chance to win,” McDaniel said. “I think in 2022, this was something that happened to us as well and ultimately the rest of the league does not care, nor should they. So, we have to find a way to get better collectively.”
Thompson was injured in the third quarter after being pushed by Dre’Mont Jones following a pass to De’Von Achane. He likely got hurt earlier when he was sacked by Tyrel Dodson and was hunched over as he left the field.
Thompson completed 13 of 19 passes for 107 yards before leaving the game. He was also sacked five times.
Seattle is the first team since the Steelers in 1979 to start 3-0 while holding each opponent to under 150 yards passing. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle managed only seven catches for 66 yards together.
“It’s such a dangerous team. You know the usual suspects,” Macdonald said. “When they get their hands on the ball you’ve got to take great angles, you need inside-out pursuit, you’ve got to set the edge. I thought our front played incredibly hard.”
Tagovailoa traveled to Seattle just over a week after suffering his concussion against Buffalo on September 12. The Dolphins were confident that Thompson could step in and keep their strong offense going.
But all Miami could manage was a 23-yard field goal by Jason Sanders in the first quarter. Miami finished with just 205 total yards.
“I’ve never won a game scoring three points, so I think collectively starting with me it has to be better. We have to get it figured out fast,” McDaniel said.
Miami had a chance to get closer early in the fourth quarter after Smith threw his second interception of the game. The pass was deflected by Calais Campbell and caught by Zach Sieler. Miami reached the Seattle 3-yard line but failed to score on four attempts and turned the ball over on downs.
Seattle responded to that defensive stand with a 98-yard scoring drive, ending with Charbonnet’s 10-yard touchdown run with 4:55 left. Charbonnet rushed for 91 yards on 18 carries, while Smith completed 26 of 34 passes, including the long touchdown to Metcalf.
Seattle improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2020.
“We always talk about closing the game and for the offense that was our opportunity to go close the game … and just be on the attack right there. I think we did a great job,” Charbonnet said.
Seattle’s offense started strong, with Smith throwing for 133 yards in the first quarter. The big play came at the end of the first quarter when Metcalf made a double move to get open, and Smith found him for his seventh career touchdown catch of 50 yards or more.
However, after that strong start, it was a tough afternoon for the Seahawks on offense, with drives often stopped by penalties. Both teams were penalized 11 times, with several more declined or offsetting.
“I think that’s the only thing that stopped us today was the stupid penalties that we had,” Metcalf said.
