The Miami Dolphins leave the southeast and head 3,300 miles across the country to the Pacific Northwest to battle the Seattle Seahawks and the 12th man of Lumen Field. Tua Tagovailoa has been placed on the injured reserve meaning he’ll miss at least the next four games, that’ll leave Skylar Thompson as the starter for the Miami Dolphins. Let’s take a look at this Dolphins-Seahawks preview.
The visiting team suffered a big loss last week after Tua Tagovailoa took a scary hit and suffered yet another concussion that has him sidelined for a minimum of four weeks. They’ll move forward with Skylar Thompson who has made a few starts for the Dolphins in the past. The former Kansas State quarterback has started three games, going 1-2, with one of those losses being in a playoff game.
On the other side, it’s business as usual for the Seattle Seahawks. Geno Smith has looked good through the first two games leading the Seahawks to a comfortable win in Week 1. In Week 2 they needed a little more from him to get the overtime win, and he delivered. Smith went 33/44 for 327 yards and a touchdown. All three of his receiving options have delivered through two weeks in DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Running back Ken Walker isn’t likely to play this week with an Oblique injury, but Zach Charbonnet is a strong backup
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Miami Dolphins at Seattle Seahawks Preview and Predictions
Devon Achane 40+ Receiving Yards (+150)
Without Tua, the Dolphins are going to rely on short passes and their explosive playmakers. Look no further than Devon Achane. In the two Dolphins games so far, Achane has easily surpassed this number going for 76 yards on seven catches in Week 1. Week 2 it was another seven catches for a nice 69 yards this time. In both games, Achane was targeted seven times and caught all seven targets. The Dolphins know they can trust him, and with a backup quarterback, checking down to an explosive player who can get things done after the catch will certainly be in the game plan.
Miami Dolphins +4.5 (-106)
Miami was a -2 favorite on the look-ahead line. The injury to Tua has swung that 6.5 points in the other direction and now they end up as 4.5-point underdogs. At first glance, you think Skylar Thompson, yikes. Nobody will blame you for that but look at the Green Bay Packers last week with Malik Willis. Good teams and good coaches can make a strong plan around their weaker backups at least as a placeholder until the starter returns. The supporting cast around Thompson is a strong one and Mike McDaniel will scheme up the right stuff. The Dolphins might not win this game, but they’ll keep it close and surprise many.
