Dolphins lose big to Seahawks 24-3 as Skylar Thompson injured in the third quarter

Everyone wanted to see how the Miami Dolphins will respond after the loss of Tua Tagovailoa to a concussion.

Well, it wasn’t good. At all.

The Seattle Seahawks spanked the Dolphins 24-3 in the Emerald City as Miami’s touchdown-less streak extended to seven quarters.

Not only did the Dolphins lose backup quarterback Skylar Thompson to a chest injury in the third quarter, the offense — the very same one that led the NFL in total yardage in 2023 – only accumulated 205 yards on the day. They also only converted one of the 12 third downs and averaged 3.7 yards per play.

“Bottom line is the quarterback is the extension of the offense and the offense is an extension of me and 3 points,” coach Mike McDaniel said Sunday evening. “I’ve never won a game scoring three points.”

No one on the Dolphins offense had a particularly noteworthy game. Star wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for seven catches and 66 yards. De’Von Achane rushed the ball 11 times for 30 yards and caught three balls for another 28 yards. Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf, however, finished with four receptions for 104 yards, highlighted by 71-yard touchdown reception. Running back Zach Carbonnet finished with 18 carries for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite having a higher quarterback rating than Geno Smith, who completed roughly 76% of his passes for 289 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, Thompson didn’t look comfortable under center. He completed 68% of his passes for just 107 yards before taking a brutal shot in the third quarter. Third-string quarterback Tim Boyle, who replaced Thompson after he was ruled out with a chest injury, didn’t impress either, completing about 54% of his passes for 79 yards.

“It’s tough,” defensive lineman Zach Sieler said of Thompsons’s injury. Sieler was arguably the Dolphins’ MVP, finishing with three combined tackles, a sack and an interception. “I love Skylar. He’s done a great job in the games he had to step up for Tua. It’s tough to see that. You just hope that he’s healthy.”

The Seahawks dominated the Dolphins in just about every facet of the game. First downs (21 to 13). Total net yards (370 to 205). Passing net (270 to 140). Rushing net (100 to 65). The only team stat that went in the Dolphins favor was turnovers. Both teams had their fair of sloppy moments as they each finished with 11 penalties.

“I thought the positives were we took care of the ball,” McDaniel said, noting that Thompson did a great job “operating the offense” while Boyle “came in and did a great job leading the guys.” “I think there needed to be a lot better job in preparation on my part — 11 penalties is not good.”

From the very beginning, the game looked sloppy. A missed field goal on the Dolphins’ first drive resulted in the Seahawks getting great field position. Five plays later, the Seahawks had scored courtesy of Charbonnet’s 4-yard touchdown scamper.

The very next offensive drive: Thompson dropped the ball on a crucial third down. And while Terron Armstead’s recovery led to a great punt that had the Seahawks back near their own end zone, the Dolphins couldn’t capitalize. Four plays later, Kader Kohou picked off Smith’s errant throw to give the Dolphins offense great field position on the 6-yard line. The Seahawks defense forced the Dolphins to take a field goal, their only score of the game.

“We have to handle the road better,” McDaniel said. “And that starts with me. But then that continues throughout everyone. I think the crowd was rocking and we looked as though it was our first time in a hostile environment.:”

The Dolphins’ sole glimmer of hope came towards the end of the third quarter. Down 14-3, Zach Sieler picked off Smith’s pass that Calais Campbell had swatted into the air. Boyle then managed to lead the Dolphins to the redzone but couldn’t score a touchdown despite having six chances. After a turnover on downs, the Seahawks would drive down the field and score a touchdown with just over five minutes remaining to put the game out of reach, 24-3.

With Thompson’s status unknown for next Monday’s game against the Tennessee Titans, the Dolphins are in a precarious position at 1-2 and possibly having to start a third-string quarterback. Jalen Ramsey succinctly described where the Dolphins have to go to keep the season afloat.

“Up a notch,” Ramsey said before exiting the podium.