In an exciting Week 3 matchup, the Miami Dolphins (1-1, 0-2 ATS, 0-2 O/U) will visit the Seattle Seahawks (2-0, 0-1-1 ATS, 2-0 O/U) on Sunday afternoon. The Dolphins are looking to bounce back after a tough loss to the Bills, while the Seahawks aim to maintain their undefeated streak following a road victory against the Patriots. The last encounter between these two teams took place in 2020, where Seattle emerged victorious.
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Dolphins Face Setbacks After Loss to Bills
The Miami Dolphins are heading out on the road after starting the season with two home games. They managed to secure a narrow 24-21 win over the Jaguars in their opener, just missing the 3.5-point spread. However, their second game was a setback, suffering a 31-10 loss to the Bills, where they were favored by 2.5 points. This defeat took a toll on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who sustained a concussion and has since been placed on injured reserve.
With Tagovailoa sidelined, Skylar Thompson will take over as the starting quarterback. Drafted late in 2022, Thompson has 614 passing yards along with a 1:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio across eight games. He recorded 80 passing yards in the previous match.
Running back Raheem Mostert did not play in the last game but returned to practice on Wednesday. His status remains questionable. If he cannot play, De’Von Arcane is a promising option. The 22-year-old running back amassed 800 rushing yards last season and has recorded 120 rushing yards in two games this season. Star wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been a consistent threat, racking up 154 receiving yards, while Jaylen Waddle has also impressed with 150 receiving yards. The Dolphins’ offense faces a significant challenge without Tagovailoa and will need contributions from all players.
On the defensive side, the Dolphins have shown promise. They limited the Jaguars to just 267 total yards and held the Bills to 247 total yards despite allowing 31 points. Currently, the pass defense ranks fifth in the league, while the rush defense is sitting at 15th. The secondary, featuring star corner Jalen Ramsey, has yet to record an interception.
Overall, the Dolphins are averaging 15 points over their first two games, ranking them 28th in the league, while they have allowed an average of 24 points, placing them 24th.
Seahawks Seek to Keep Momentum After Overtime Win
The Seattle Seahawks are determined to keep their perfect record intact this season. After winning their home opener with a 26-20 victory against the Broncos, they had a thrilling 23-20 overtime win against the Patriots in their last outing, where they were favored by three points.
Quarterback Geno Smith has proven to be a dependable leader. He finished last season with a 20:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio, throwing for 171 yards in the opener and 327 yards against New England. Overall, Smith has accumulated 498 passing yards this season with a 2:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
This season, Seattle has leaned more on its passing game. Kenneth Walker III, a talented running back, made an impact with 103 rushing yards in the first game but missed the last due to an oblique injury. His practice status remains uncertain. If he can’t play, Zach Charbonnet will step in with his 50 rushing yards so far. Wide receiver DK Metcalf has also been a key player, contributing 158 receiving yards, although he is dealing with a hand injury. Tyler Lockett has been active as well, with eight receptions and 92 receiving yards. Despite the absence of Walker III, the Seahawks’ offense has shown depth, averaging 331 total yards per game.
Defensively, the Seahawks have been performing well. They held the Broncos to just 231 total yards and allowed 310 to New England. Cornerback Tre Brown has made a significant impact this season, deflecting one pass and contributing to a defense that has recorded five sacks. The Seattle pass defense ranks second in the league, while the rush defense is at 22nd.
Seattle averages 24.5 points per game, placing them 10th overall, and they have limited opponents to an average of 20 points, ranking them 12th.
Best Bets for Miami Dolphins vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Miami Dolphins, currently 1-1, are grappling with key injuries, particularly losing quarterback Tagovailoa. Running back Raheem Mostert’s status is also up in the air. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks, with a 2-0 record, look strong after their recent victories, including a challenging game against the Patriots.
Skylar Thompson stepping in as the Dolphins’ quarterback will face significant pressure in one of the NFL’s toughest environments. With a 57% completion rate on his career passes and a troubling touchdown-to-interception ratio, expectations may be low. The Seahawks’ defense has shown strength, ranking second in the league against the pass, which will add to Thompson’s challenges. Miami will likely lean on its running game, but facing a well-ranked Seahawks defense that allows few yards per game will be no easy task.
