DOLPHINS (1-1) at SEAHAWKS (2-0)
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m., Sunday, Lumen Field
TV: CBS (Ch. 4 in Miami-Dade, Broward; Ch. 12 in Palm Beach); Paramount+ (streaming). RADIO: WBGG (105.9-FM), WIOD (610-AM), WTZU (94.9-FM, Spanish), Sirius XM Ch. 119 or 381; Palm Beach: ESPN (106.3 FM); WEFL (760-AM, Spanish)
Coaches: The Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel is 21-17, including playoffs, in his third season as a head coach; The Seahawks’ Mike Macdonald is 2-0 in his first season as a head coach.
Series: The Dolphins lead the series, 10-6, including playoffs. Seattle won the last meeting, 31-23, in Miami in 2020. Seattle also defeated Miami, 12-10, in the 2016 season opener.
Weather: Cloudy and 69 degrees, 76% humidity, 4 mph winds from the SSW (gusts up to 11 mph), 0% chance of rain.
Line: The Seahawks are 4 ½-point favorites; the over-under is 41.
Injuries: Dolphins — Out: WR Grant DuBose (shoulder); Doubtful: RB Raheem Mostert (chest), WR Malik Washington (quadricep)
Seahawks — Out: LB Uchenna Nwosu (knee); Doubtful: RB Kenneth Walker III (oblique), LB Jerome Baker (hamstring), LB Boye Mafe (knee), S K’Von Wallace (shoulder/personal), TE Pharaoh Brown (foot), LB Derick Hall (hip), WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (foot)
Noteworthy: The Dolphins are under the direction of quarterback Skylar Thompson because Pro Bowl quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is on the injured reserve due to a concussion. The offense might look a bit different in the sense Thompson can’t execute those quick slants to wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as well or as frequently as Tagovailoa, whose anticipation and accuracy are top notch. …
However, Thompson has a stronger arm than Tagovailoa and he’s more agile, so he can buy time with his feet. Most likely Seattle’s defense will feature two deep safeties in an effort to prevent the deep ball to Hill or Waddle. …
In that situation the Dolphins could use their running game to force Seattle to bring a safety into the box and play an eight-man front. Running back De’Von Achane, who had 29 touches in Week 2 against Buffalo, could be the workhorse. Figure on Thompson utilizing tight end Jonnu Smith. …
But be warned. Seattle’s secondary, led by Pro Bowl safety Julian Love, Pro Bowl nickel/slot Devon Witherspoon and cornerback Riq Woolen, is pretty strong. …
Miami’s defense must be prepared for Seattle’s passing game. Quarterback Geno Smith, the Miramar High School product, could be pass-heavy with wide receivers DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett. …
The Dolphins defense, led by Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey, needs to find an effective pass rush. Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) is still having his snaps monitored. The Dolphins also need a better run defense. They’ve allowed more than 100 yards rushing in both of their games. …
Finally, keep an eye on the Dolphins’ penalties and turnover margin. They have 16 penalties for 153 yards, and they’re minus-2 in turnover margin.
Dolphins Deep Dive: Prediction time — can Miami win in Seattle with a backup QB? | VIDEO