Unfortunately, Seattle gave Miami incredible field position on their next drive with a head-scratching play call in the shadow of their own goal post. With a 3rd-and-15 from their own six-yard line, Charbonnet moved out of the backfield into an empty set and the Dolphins quickly collapsed the pocket on Smith, who attempted to avoid a sack by dumping the ball to his backside, but the ball deflected off the receiver’s hands and was intercepted by cornerback Kader Kohou inside the Seahawks’ 10-yard line.

Fortunately, the Seahawks defense held, forcing the Dolphins to settle for a short field goal by Jason Sanders, keeping the lead at 10-3. Smith responded to his only blemish of the half as best he could, making his first read on the first play of the ensuing drive and throwing a deep ball to Metcalf, who had managed to sprint past cornerback Jalen Ramsey and both Dolphins safeties, scoring a long touchdown despite the ball being thrown slightly too low.

Seattle had a chance to extend its lead on its next possession, driving to the Miami 36-yard line with a pair of first-down passes to Noah Fant and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But a holding penalty against Anthony Bradford sent the team back and Jason Myers was unable to convert a 53-yard field goal, leaving the lead at 14 points with nine minutes left in the half.

Defensively, the Seahawks took advantage of the absence of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, hammering backup Skylar Thompson for three sacks and six quarterback hits. Dre’Mont Jones, doing the damage up front, forced a fumble on a strip sack, while Derick Hall got to the backup signal caller twice for sacks and Boye Mafe added one of his own.

Under constant pressure, Thompson finished the half with just 79 passing yards on 16 pass attempts, as the Dolphins failed to convert a single third down. Running back De’Von Achane also couldn’t get into a rhythm, rushing just five times for 21 yards due to the lack of plays.