When the Seahawks offense took the field late in the first quarter following a Dolphins field goal, Geno Smith and company were looking for to bounce back after an interception set up what wound up being Miami's only score in the game.
And when Smith and receiver DK Metcalf recognized a particular coverage look from the Dolphins secondary, both players, who have the kind of chemistry that comes with six seasons playing together, quickly realized their bounce-back drive could be a quick one.
After running past cornerback Jalen Ramsey, Metcalf faked an in-breaking dig route that froze safety Jevon Holland, then was able to run past Holland to get wide open for a 71-yard touchdown that played a big role in Seattle's 24-3 win over the Dolphins.
"That was a play that we had been repping all offseason, give DK the option to read that right there," Smith said. "If we get the coverage we like, he's going to take the top off it. So they were playing low quarters on that side; they play up half to the other side; we got the safety in the position we want him, and he really bit down on the dig route and DK was able is it get behind him. I thought the protection was great. Allowed us the extra second we needed to get ball downfield. That was a big play for us."
A 71-yard touchdown is obviously a big play in any game, but it felt particularly important in the moment because it came on the heels of a turnover, and it also proved to be very valuable as the game went along and the Seahawks were unable to score again until late in the fourth quarter.
"Me and Geno have been working that certain route since training camp, and it just came to life today," Metcalf said, adding that the final score mattered a lot more than any big plays individually. "If we didn't win, we would have had a sour taste in our mouth after the second and third quarter that we had out there. Winning takes care of a lot of mistakes, but you can't overlook them or sweep them under the rug. You've got to be professionals and be the type of team that fixes those mistakes and moves on and improves throughout the season."
Metcalf had another big moment earlier in the first quarter, leaping over cornerback Kendall Fuller for a 22-yard catch to Miami's 4-yard line. One play later, Zach Charbonnet scored on a 4-yard run to give the Seahawks a 10-0 lead.
Those two plays helped Metcalf finish with 104 yards on four catches, giving him back-to-back 100-yard games for the first time since he did it twice during the 2020 season. Metcalf, who had a 56-yard touchdown last week on his way to 129 yards on 10 catches, now has seven touchdown catches of 50-plus yards in the regular season—he also has three in the playoffs—one shy of a franchise high held by Joey Galloway and Tyler Lockett.
"I'm sounding like a broken record with DK; at any point in time, he can put points on the board wherever you're at," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "We love him. He's working his butt off. I'm just glad that 14 is on our side. He's a problem. He's a massive problem for defenses."
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) and Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at their Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks players at their Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 3 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
