The Miami Dolphins are once again grappling with uncertainty under center following a 24-3 defeat against the undefeated Seattle Seahawks. With the team now sitting at 1-2, questions surrounding their quarterback situation have intensified, as Skylar Thompson, filling in for the injured Tua Tagovailoa, was knocked out of the game with a chest injury in the third quarter.
Thompson’s injury, combined with an overall dismal offensive performance, has left head coach Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins facing mounting concerns about their ability to bounce back in the upcoming weeks.
“We have to get better collectively,” McDaniel said after the loss. “In 2022, we faced similar challenges, and the rest of the league doesn’t care. We have to figure out a way to win games.”
Thompson completed 13 of 19 passes for 107 yards but was under constant pressure from Seattle’s defense, suffering five sacks and struggling to establish any rhythm. His departure in the third quarter left Tim Boyle, elevated from the practice squad just a day earlier, to try and rally the Dolphins back from a 17-3 deficit. Boyle was unable to spark a comeback, and the Dolphins offense was held to just 205 total yards.
Miami’s offense appeared out of sync from the start, with confusion in getting plays called, an inability to convert on third downs, and an ineffective running game. De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright showed glimpses of promise early on, but with just eight rushing attempts for 38 yards by halftime, the Dolphins found themselves behind the chains too often to establish a balanced attack.
The lack of production from star receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle was another critical issue. The duo combined for only seven catches for 66 yards, a far cry from the explosive output that Miami enjoyed last season. Hill and Waddle, once the focal points of a dynamic offense, have seen a significant drop in production this year, and their limited involvement has hampered Miami’s ability to challenge defenses downfield.
Despite the offensive struggles, the Dolphins defense provided Miami with a chance to claw back into the game. A key moment came early in the fourth quarter when Zach Sieler intercepted a deflected Geno Smith pass, setting up the Dolphins with a first-and-goal at the Seattle 3-yard line. However, four consecutive plays failed to produce a touchdown, and the Dolphins turned the ball over on downs—effectively sealing their fate.
Seattle quickly responded with a 98-yard drive, capped by a Zach Charbonnet 10-yard touchdown run that put the game out of reach. Charbonnet finished the game with 91 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Smith threw for 289 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf in the first quarter.
With Tagovailoa out due to a concussion, Thompson was expected to keep the Dolphins offense afloat, but his chest injury has now left the team facing more uncertainty. Tagovailoa won’t be eligible to return until late October, and if Thompson is unable to recover quickly, the Dolphins may be forced to turn to Boyle once again.
“We’ll evaluate the situation and do what’s best for the team moving forward,” McDaniel said regarding the Dolphins’ quarterback dilemma. “We’ve been here before, but we can’t afford to let this define our season.”
The Dolphins return home next week to host the Tennessee Titans on “Monday Night Football.” With their quarterback position in flux and a 1-2 record, Miami will need to regroup quickly to avoid falling further behind in the competitive AFC East. Despite their struggles, McDaniel and his staff remain confident that the team can turn things around, but the window is closing fast.
For now, all eyes will be on the health of Thompson and the potential impact of Tim Boyle, who may be thrust into the spotlight once more if Miami’s quarterback injuries persist. The Dolphins will need to find answers, and fast, if they hope to salvage their season and compete for a playoff spot.
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