DOLPHINS’ RUNNING GAME VS. SEAHAWKS’ RUN DEFENSE
The most impressive aspect of the Dolphins’ offense during training camp was the emergence of a ground attack. If the unit can maintain its 3.9-yard preseason rushing average through the regular season, the Dolphins will have their highest per-carry mark since 1987. Lamar Smith will start at tailback against his former team. After finishing ranked No. 23 last season, stopping the run once again is Seattle’s biggest defensive weakness. DT Riddick Parker plays with more heart than the man he replaced (Sam Adams), but he might not be good enough to draw double-teams away from Cortez Kennedy. Seattle still has interest in free agent Gilbert Brown should Parker struggle.
Edge: Dolphins
DOLPHINS’ PASSING GAME VS. SEAHAWKS’ PASS DEFENSE
Jay Fiedler may be the first quarterback in NFL history to win the job after throwing three interceptions in an exhibition game. Fiedler, though, seems to do a better job than Damon Huard of connecting with wide receivers on intermediate routes. Don’t be surprised if FB Rob Konrad becomes a major factor after a quiet preseason. New Seahawks defensive coordinator Steve Sidwell is flopping undersized DE Michael Sinclair with Lamar King according to where the tight end is aligned. Smallish CB Willie Williams (5-9) is the secondary’s weak link. Still, any unit with CB Shawn Springs, LB Chad Brown and S Reggie Tongue can hurt you.
Edge: Seahawks
DOLPHINS’ RETURN GAME VS. SEAHAWKS’ KICK COVERAGE
Rookie cornerback Ben Kelly showed enough during the preseason to land spots on both return teams. Kelly had a 73-yard punt return to set up the winning touchdown against Green Bay. Kelly also is being teamed with Brock Marion on kickoffs. Seattle has uncertainty at kicker, as veteran Doug Peterson was released in favor of rookie Kris Heppner. The college free agent from Montana has a strong leg, but can Heppner handle the pressure of kicking field goals in a hostile environment for his NFL debut? There are no question marks at punter, as ex-University of Miami starter Jeff Feagles is among the AFC’s most consistent.
Edge: Dolphins
SEAHAWKS’ RETURN GAME VS. DOLPHINS’ KICK COVERAGE
The Dolphins are too familiar with Charlie Rogers, who returned a kickoff 85 yards against them in last year’s AFC wild-card game. As a rookie last season, Rogers set eight team records for returns. Dolphins linebackers Scott Galyon and Twan Russell look like nice replacements for Dwight Hollier and O.J. Brigance on the coverage units. Keep an eye on defensive back Travis Gamble, the only college free agent to make the Dolphins’ roster. Gamble will be aligned on the outside and may be paired against Springs, an All-Pro cornerback and quality special teams player.
Edge: Dolphins
SEAHAWKS’ RUNNING GAME VS. DOLPHINS’ RUN DEFENSE
Ricky Watters and rookie Shaun Alexander are an impressive pair of tailbacks, but they won’t get much help from the right side of their offensive line. Seattle has two big-time players (LT Walter Jones and LG Pete Kendall) and not much else, especially at right tackle. Todd Weiner is starting because 2000 first-round pick Chris McIntosh missed the entire preseason in a contract holdout. The Dolphins finished No. 8 in the NFL against the run last season and should be even better with the return of DE Kenny Mixon to full health.
Edge: Dolphins
SEAHAWKS’ PASSING GAME VS. DOLPHINS’ PASS DEFENSE
Quarterback Jon Kitna’s collapse in the second half of last season prompted coach Mike Holmgren to inquire about Dan Marino and Steve Young playing in Seattle. In his defense, Kitna isn’t working with any game-breakers. Wide receivers Derrick Mayes and Sean Dawkins don’t have the speed to compensate for the loss of Joey Galloway, who was traded to Dallas in the offseason. Dawkins, though, is a dangerous deep threat because of his size (6-4). Watch for rookie Darrell Jackson from the University of Florida on three-receiver sets. Right defensive end Jason Taylor will have his first chance to show that his 1999 season was an aberration.
Edge: Dolphins
INTANGIBLES
Marino didn’t help his former team last week by saying Huard should be starting ahead of Fiedler. That gives Fiedler even less of a grace period with fans should he start sluggishly after missing almost the entire preseason. The Dolphins, though, enter this game with confidence after dispatching Seattle 20-17 in last year’s playoffs. The Dolphins have won eight consecutive openers while Seattle has the worst opening-day record (6-18) of any NFL team with the exception of Carolina (1-4). The Dolphins are 33-5 (.868) at home in September since 1970. Think it might be a tad balmy today at Pro Player?
Edge: Dolphins
COACHING
Tradition isn’t on Dave Wannstedt’s side, as Mike Holmgren posted an 11-1 record against him when both were in the NFC Central. As defensive coordinator in New England from 1997-99, Sidwell is familiar with Dolphins personnel. But the Dolphins’ entire offensive scheme has changed under new coordinator Chan Gailey, whose play-calling showed more originality in the preseason than what transpired all of last season under the departed Kippy Brown (Green Bay). Defensive coordinator Jim Bates didn’t need to tinker much with his unit, but look for more blitzing than last season. Kitna may be susceptible to heavy pressure.
Edge: Seahawks
