Seattle Seahawks vs Miami Dolphins Picks and Predictions September 22nd 2024

Skylar Thompson gets shot to lead Dolphins’ offense at Seattle

The Dolphins and Seahawks will face off at 4:05 ET on Sunday, September 22nd at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Seahawks are favored with a money line of -223 and are -5 point favorites on the point spread. The over/under line is at 41.5 points. This non-conference matchup is being televised on CBS.

Miami vs. Seattle Key Information

• Teams: Dolphins at Seahawks
• Where: Lumen Field Seattle
• Date: Sunday, September 22nd
• Betting Odds SEA -223 | MIA +184 O/U 41.5

The Dolphins Can Win If…

The Dolphins were 2.5-point favorites at home but ended up losing 31-10 to the Bills, dropping their record to 1-1. Miami was tied 7-7 after the 1st quarter, but Buffalo took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Dolphins 24-3 in the first half. The Dolphins didn’t cover the spread with their 21-point loss.

Miami’s only chance to get back into the game was in the 3rd quarter when they trailed 24-10, but Tua Tagovailoa’s interception ended their hopes. The Dolphins did score a late touchdown in the 2nd quarter and another one early in the 3rd quarter, but they missed a great opportunity to close the gap when the Bills missed a field goal in the 4th quarter.

De’Von Achane was the standout player for the Dolphins’ offense in their 31-10 loss to the Bills, leading the team in both rushing and receiving. He rushed for 96 yards on 22 attempts and also had 69 receiving yards, including one touchdown through the air. Miami’s offense managed 20 first downs and 139 yards on the ground.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa struggled, completing 17 of 25 passes for 145 yards and finishing with a passer rating of 56. He threw three interceptions and one touchdown. The Dolphins’ passing game struggled overall, gaining only 212 yards through the air and being sacked twice.

In their 31-10 loss to the Bills, the Dolphins’ defense allowed Buffalo to convert on 33.3% of their third down attempts. Miami gave up 139 passing yards on just 13 completions. However, they struggled to generate pressure, as they didn’t record any sacks and lost both the QB hit and tackles for loss differentials.Miami’s run defense allowed 108 yards on 26 attempts, and overall, they gave up 247 total yards in the game. The Dolphins also allowed one passing touchdown and a 68.4% completion percentage to Buffalo.

• The Dolphins have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. Across these games, their ATS record was just 0-3, while posting an over-under record of 0-3.
• The Dolphins have gone 5-5 over their last ten regular season games. The team’s record vs the spread was just 4-6, in addition to an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Seahawks Can Win If…

Seattle is now 2-0 after their 23-20 overtime win against the Patriots. The Seahawks were on the road for this one and came out on top by a score of 23-20. The game was tied 20-20 at the end of regulation, but the Seahawks outscored the Patriots 3-0 in overtime. The Seahawks were -3 point favorites going into the game, resulting in a push vs. the spread. The combined 43 points was just over the 39-point total line.

Geno Smith found DK Metcalf for a touchdown to tie the game at 7 in the 1st quarter. Seattle then took a 17-13 lead into halftime with a 1-yard touchdown run from Zach Charbonnet. The Patriots took a 20-17 lead early in the 3rd quarter, but the Seahawks tied it up with 58 seconds left in the 4th quarter on a 38-yard field goal from Jason Myers. Myers would add a 31-yard field goal in overtime to give Seattle the win.

Geno Smith had a good game for the Seahawks, throwing for 327 yards and completing 75% of his passes in their 23-20 overtime win over the Patriots. Smith’s performance included one touchdown and he was not intercepted. The offense managed 18 first downs and 312 total yards, although they struggled to run the ball, gaining only 46 yards on 19 attempts.

DK Metcalf was a key target for Smith, finishing with 129 yards receiving and a touchdown, while Zach Charbonnet led the team with 38 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Smith was sacked three times, and the Seahawks finished with a 46.7% conversion rate on third down.

In their most recent game, the Seahawks’ defense gave up 185 rushing yards on 36 attempts to the Patriots. Despite this, they still managed to come out on top, winning 23-20 in overtime. The Patriots finished with 310 total yards, but Seattle’s defense held them to just 4.6 yards per attempt in the passing game.Seattle’s defense recorded three sacks and limited New England to a 37.5% conversion rate on third down. The Patriots completed just 15 passes for 125 yards, and the Seahawks defended the pass well, allowing only one touchdown and a completion percentage of 55.6%.

• Seattle will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 2-1 over their past three games. However, they have only gone 1-2 vs. the spread over this stretch. Their over-under record in these three games was 2-1.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Seattle has a record of 7-3. The team’s record vs the spread was just 3-6-1, in addition to an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Lean

Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Dolphins to cover as road underdogs in this week three matchup between the Dolphins and Seahawks. Even though the Seahawks are the favorite at -5, we have the Dolphins pulling off the upset by a score of 26-23.

For the over/under, with the line at 41.5 points, we are leaning towards taking the over, with a projected combined score of 49 points.

Expert NFL Betting Picks

Skylar Thompson, the Miami Dolphins’ young quarterback, is preparing to take control of the team’s high-powered offense as they head to Seattle to face the Seahawks. The opportunity comes after Tua Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve due to his third concussion in two seasons, sustained during last Thursday’s 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

For Thompson, it’s a pivotal moment in his career—akin to being handed the keys to a high-performance sports car. This metaphor captures the pressure and potential in front of him as he steps into the role of Miami’s starting quarterback.

Skylar Thompson’s Big Opportunity

Thompson, a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Kansas State, will have to navigate the Dolphins’ offense in one of the NFL’s toughest environments. Though he’s replacing a high-caliber quarterback in Tagovailoa, the Dolphins are confident in Thompson’s abilities to keep the team on track.

With limited playing experience, Thompson’s approach is straightforward: keeping things simple. In his own words: “When tomorrow comes, I’ll focus on tomorrow. That’s my approach to everything.” This mentality reflects a calm and collected mindset, which will be crucial as he faces a Seahawks team known for its home-field advantage.

In the 2022 season, Thompson made three starts when Tagovailoa was injured, including a playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. In those starts, Thompson completed 78 of 150 passes for 461 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. His record during that stint was 1-2.

Learning from the Past, Prepared for the Present

Reflecting on his rookie season, Thompson acknowledged that his performance sometimes suffered because he was too focused on executing the playbook “by the book.” The meticulous attention to detail, while important, occasionally slowed him down. Now in his third season, Thompson feels more comfortable with the Dolphins’ offensive system and better understands the nuances of why specific plays are called.

This growth could make a significant difference in his performance against Seattle, as he is no longer bogged down by overanalyzing but rather equipped with a clearer sense of when to make quick decisions on the field. He believes this evolution will allow him to play faster and more instinctively, a necessity when facing an aggressive defense like the Seahawks’.

The Dolphins’ Confidence in Thompson

Despite being thrust into the spotlight, Thompson has the full support of his teammates and coaches. The Dolphins signed former Pro Bowler Tyler Huntley from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad as a backup option, but the team’s intention to start Thompson is clear.

Thompson played a limited role last week, completing 8 of 14 passes for 80 yards off the bench. But his teammates are optimistic. Dolphins’ defensive tackle Zach Sieler spoke highly of Thompson’s abilities, stating, “I have no doubts in my mind that Skylar is going to go out there and do the best he can in Seattle… I have no hesitation with Skylar going out there as QB1 this week.”

Seattle Seahawks: Riding Momentum

While the Dolphins prepare to adapt under Thompson’s leadership, the Seattle Seahawks are coming into the game with momentum. Seattle is 2-0 after an impressive 23-20 overtime victory over the New England Patriots. Their quarterback, Geno Smith, led the charge with an outstanding performance, completing 33 of 44 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown.

Smith has silenced many doubters this season and continues to prove himself as a leader in critical moments. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald commended Smith’s resilience, stating, “There’s a little chip on his shoulder. I like it… He played at a super high level.”

Smith’s ability to guide the Seahawks down the field in crunch time was key in their victory, leading to a last-minute field goal to tie the game and a successful overtime drive to secure the win. This clutch performance is a direct contrast to Thompson’s limited resume, but the young quarterback will need to demonstrate similar composure if he hopes to secure a victory for Miami.

Injury Concerns for Both Teams

Both teams are entering the game with notable injuries that could affect the outcome. The Dolphins have one significant injury, with offensive tackle Terron Armstead sidelined due to a shoulder issue. Armstead is a key piece of Miami’s offensive line, and his absence could complicate Thompson’s ability to find time in the pocket.

The Seahawks, on the other hand, are dealing with a longer list of injuries. Running back Kenneth Walker III, a vital part of Seattle’s rushing attack, is out with an oblique injury, and several other key players are listed as questionable, including wide receiver DK Metcalf (hand), defensive end Leonard Williams (knee), and multiple linebackers. These absences could hinder Seattle’s effectiveness on both sides of the ball, potentially giving Miami opportunities to exploit weaknesses.

A Critical Test for Thompson

The upcoming game against the Seahawks represents a significant test for Skylar Thompson. The young quarterback has the chance to step out of the shadows and lead the Dolphins in a high-stakes matchup. While his approach is to keep things simple, the real challenge will be maintaining composure under the intense pressure of playing in Seattle’s notoriously loud stadium.

The Dolphins have faith in Thompson’s ability to manage the offense, and his development over the past two seasons suggests that he is ready for the challenge. Yet, how he handles the Seahawks’ defense and whether he can execute in critical moments will determine whether Miami can secure a victory.

Conclusion

As the Miami Dolphins take on the Seattle Seahawks, all eyes will be on Skylar Thompson. In only his fourth career start, Thompson is stepping into a game with major implications for both teams. The Seahawks, led by the in-form Geno Smith, will be a formidable opponent. However, if Thompson can leverage his growth and the Dolphins’ offensive playbook, there’s a possibility for a strong showing. Injuries on both sides could play a role, but the focus will be on Thompson as he tries to guide Miami to victory in one of the toughest environments in the NFL.