Seattle Seahawks vs Miami Dolphins: A Brief History

In preparation for this Sunday’s upcoming matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins, here’s a look at the history between the two teams.

The Seahawks and the Dolphins have played each other 14 times. The Dolphins are ahead in the matchup, winning 10 of the 14 games. Miami beat Seattle the last time they faced each other, but the two teams have gone in opposite directions since. Seattle has the makings of a dynasty, while  Miami looks to be in the midst of yet another coaching change. 

The first time these two teams met was October 23rd, 1977 at the Orange Bowl in Miami. Despite a Steve Largent touchdown and two John Leypoldt field goals, the 4-1 Dolphins rode a dominant run game to a victory against the 1-4 Seahawks 31-13. After another victory vs Seattle in 1979 and an AFC Championship under their belts, Miami went into the 1983 AFC Divisional Playoffs with plenty of confidence.

This game was the first of three playoff matchups between the two teams. However, Seattle converted two Dan Marino interceptions and a fumble recovery into 13 second half points. Seahawks running back Curt Warner was electric, running for 113 yards and two touchdowns while catching 5 passes. The victory was Seattle’s last postseason win on the road until their 2012 defeat of Robert Griffin III and the Redskins.

The next year, Seattle and Miami met again in the Divisional round. As you may have assumed, it didn’t go well for the Seahawks. Ringless Dan Marino & company went into the matchup with a vengeance.

Miami gained an unprecedented 405 yards of total offense, Marino threw for three touchdowns, and the Dolphins avenged the previous year’s upset. In 1987, Miami visited the Kingdome for the first time. Seahawks QB Bruce Mathison threw for 326 yards, WR Jimmy Teal caught 9 balls and Seattle eeked out a 24-20 win.

Fast forward a few years to 2000 for Seattle’s first playoff game since the 1984 Dolphins loss. Unfortunately, their offense was completely shut down. The running back duo of Shaun Alexander and Ricky Watters were unable to get going, leading to a losing effort in the last game ever played in the historic Kingdome.

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Seattle then went on a three-game losing streak against Miami. The last time the two teams faced each other was 2012, and it was a close affair. But, hard as it may be to believe, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks fell to Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins.

Wilson was 21/27 with 224 yards and 2 touchdowns, Bobby Wagner had an interception, and Leon Washington had a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough. Miami took the W behind a strong game from Reggie Bush and 129 receiving yards from Devonte Bess. In 14 total games, Miami has outscored Seattle 308 points to 241 points.

As with any combination of two great teams, certain players playing on Sunday have been on both sides. Seahawks defensive tackle Tony McDaniel was a Dolphin from 2009-2012. He had 0.5 sacks against Russell Wilson in the 2012 matchup.

Miami cornerback Byron Maxwell was a Seahawks 6th round pick in 2011 and an important member of the Legion of Boom until he signed a 63 million dollar contract with the Eagles in 2015. He struggled in Philadelphia, and the new regime quickly jettisoned his monster contract to Miami. He will be making his first appearance in Seattle as the enemy on Sunday.

Next: Will Jimmy Graham play Week 1?

Soon, a new page in the surprisingly long history of these two old AFC rivals will be written. Will QB Russell Wilson avenge the 2012 defeat while defeating his 27th NFL team? Or can Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins continue their win streak against Seattle? We’ll find out on Sunday.