3 storylines heading into the Seahawks versus Dolphins Week 3 matchup

Coming off a gritty week two win in Foxborough last weekend, the Seattle Seahawks return home to host the Miami Dolphins, who are coming off a disheartening 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills last Thursday night.

The Seahawks and the Dolphins only see each other once every four years, so this is a semi-rare matchup. Their last meeting was in week four of the 2020 season in which Seattle, quarterbacked by Russell Wilson, took the long flight down to Miami and beat the Dolphins 31-23. This time, the Dolphins have to make the long flight northwest to Seattle and they don't get the brutal Florida sun on their side.

Seattle looks to improve to 3-0 and hold onto an early NFC West division lead as the very-injured San Francisco 49ers and very-very-injured Los Angeles Rams beat up on each other. Miami, on the other hand, looks to improve to 2-1 and avoid an early drop in the heavy-hitting AFC East. Here are three major storylines heading into this Week 3 game.

Three storylines to watch when the Seahawks play the Miami Dolphins in Week 3

1. Both teams are dealing with injuries to key players

The biggest storyline coming into this game is the fact quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be inactive for the Dolphins after suffering a scary head injury last Thursday night. Former seventh-round pick out of Kansas State Skylar Thomspon will get the start in Seattle on Sunday.

To make matters worse for Miami, running back Raheem Mostert will also be inactive. Miami still has second-year man Devon Achane available, and he's no slouch, but the Dolphins love to run by committee, and Mostert's absence is a fairly big deal for starting their backup quarterback. All-Pro left tackle Terron Armstead was also questionable for Miami, as were cornerback Jalen Ramsey and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.

Seattle is not much healthier, however. Running back Kenneth Walker will be missing his second straight game with an oblique injury. Last weekend, Seattle had essentially no running game in his absence. Boye Mafe, the ascending star rushing the passer, might also be hampered by a knee injury he sustained in Foxborough. Fellow pass rusher Derick Hall was questionable as well with a hip injury. A third pass rusher, Uchenna Nwosu, who was injured in the preseason after a season-ending injury last season, won't play.

Both interior linebackers for Seattle, Jerome Baker, and Tyrel Dodson, also appeared on the injury report and were questionable to play but will. Offensive tackle George Fant missed last weekend's game with a knee injury and his status was also in doubt again this weekend.

Further, all three tight ends for Seattle appear on the injury report. Finally, three wide receivers for the Seahawks, Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, and Laviska Shenault all appeared on the injury report, but all three should fortunately be good to go on Sunday.

2. Miami explosive wide receivers will put the Seahawks secondary to the test

Even though Tagovailoa will be inactive on Sunday, the Dolphins' passing game is still a serious threat. Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are always home run threats. The Seahawks' secondary which has allowed very little through the air through two weeks will have their first true test of the season against a star-studded Dolphins receiver corps.

It'll be interesting to see how Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, and the rest of the secondary can keep up with the speed and playmaking abilities of Miami. The secondary will have to be wary of pre-snap movement, shifts, and motions and be able to communicate in a loud Lumen Field atmosphere as Miami head coach Mike McDaniel dials up his offense.

Watch for Seattle to show 2-high shells, but then disguise coverages and simulate pressures. This is the exact reason Seattle hired Mike Macdonald to coach the team -- to confuse opposing offenses and rattle the quarterback.

Not only will the cornerbacks need to continue being sticky in coverage, but the safeties, Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins, and K'Von Wallace, will need to be on their A-game to slow down the lethal Miami offense. Pressure from the defensive line will also be essential, but what Seattle must avoid at all costs is busted coverages allowing explosive plays.

3. Can the Seahawks offensive line take a step up this week?

Through two weeks, the one giant screaming red flag for this team is its offensive line. Whether it's the lack of protection for Geno Smith or the complete lack of push on the ground, the offensive line has been an overwhelming disappointment. With the exception of left tackle Charles Cross, who has yet to allow a pressure this season, the entire offensive line must take a leap forward in week three.

Against a really solid front seven which includes Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Emmanuel Ogbah, and a familiar face in Jordyn Brooks, the offensive line will have its hands full keeping the pocket clean and opening up holes in the running game.

Seattle has been dealing with a bad offensive line for what feels like an entire decade now and it's getting really old. Injuries have dismantled the line over the past few seasons, and if Seattle can keep Geno upright and spring some runs for the running backs this week, it would be a very encouraging sign for a struggling unit.

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