Quick hits: Seahawks lose to Dolphins 24-21
Nov 25, 2012, 1:15 PM | Updated: 2:25 pm
By Brady Henderson
A few notes on the Seahawks’ 24-21 loss to the Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.
The lead. The Seahawks lost a very winnable game and dropped to 6-5 despite a stellar outing from quarterback Russell Wilson. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak and will invite more questions about Seattle’s inconsistent defense.
The good. Wilson continued his upward trend on the road, where he had thrown all eight of his interceptions and only four of his 15 touchdown passes. Wilson completed 21 of 27 passes for 224 yards, connecting with Anthony McCoy and Michael Robinson on touchdown passes. At one point, he completed 16 consecutive attempts, one shy of Warren Moon’s franchise record. He was not intercepted for the first time in six road games. Like he’s done all season, Wilson made plays on the move. He scrambled and found Sidney Rice for a 26-yard gain in the second quarter and set up Seattle’s second touchdown with a 20-yard run in the third quarter.
Tate’s highlight de jour. Golden Tate’s spectacular catch deserves separate mention due to the degree of difficulty and the impact it had. In the second quarter, with the Seahawks trailing 7-0, Tate set up their first touchdown with a 32-yard reception up the sideline. The pass was thrown inside, but Tate jumped over a Dolphins cornerback to make a diving catch.
Washington hits one. Leon Washington didn’t have a touchdown to show for what has been a strong season returning kickoffs. He finally got one in the fourth quarter, going 98 yards to give the Seahawks a 21-14 lead after Miami had gained momentum with a tying score. Jermaine Kearse delivered one of several key blocks. It was Washington’s first return touchdown since 2010.
The bad. The Seahawks had little success running the ball, which has been their strength all season. Marshawn Lynch finished with 46 yards on 19 carries, snapping his streak of four consecutive 100-yard games. He often had little chance due to the penetration Miami’s defensive line was getting. Inside and outside runs were equally futile.
Defensively, the Seahawks allowed 189 rushing yards and saw rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill lead Miami on a game-winning drive, going 65 yards to set up a 43-yard field goal as time expired. One defensive breakdown allowed Miami to score on a 29-yard pass from Tannehill to Charles Clay. The FOX broadcast identified Leroy Hill as the guilty party on that one.
Costly penalty. Seattle committed 10 penalties, none more costly than a roughing-the-passer infraction on Earl Thomas that negated Bobby Wagner’s second interception and gave Miami a first down. On the play, Thomas closed in on a scrambling Tannehill and jumped as Tannehill threw. Thomas made contact with Tannehill’s head as he came down. Wagner had intercepted the pass in the end zone, but the penalty allowed Miami to tie the game at 14 with a touchdown on its next play.
The strange. In a scene straight from a Buffalo Wild Wings commercial, sprinklers on the field at Sun Life Stadium came on during the third quarter, stopping play for about a minute.
