By ARMANDO SALGUERO
asalguero@MiamiHerald.com
WHEN THE DOLPHINS PASS
Anytime the football is in the air, the Dolphins should have an advantage. The Miami passing game is evolving, and quarterback Chad Pennington has become a fine steward of that attack by limiting mistakes. The Seahawks apply outstanding pressure on the quarterback with Patrick Kerney, Rocky Bernard and Julian Peterson providing most of the pressure. Seattle's problem is its secondary, which has struggled. Former University of Miami cornerback Kelly Jennings lost his starting job three weeks ago, but he still plays in nickel situations. A
dvantage: Miami.
WHEN THE SEAHAWKS PASS
Let's see, this team is playing a backup quarterback, and its receiver corps is either injured (Deion Branch), aging (Bobby Engram) or acclimating to a new team (Koren Robinson). It is no surprise the Seahawks are ranked 32nd in the NFL in passing. The Dolphins' secondary has improved dramatically of late, with interception returns for touchdowns (Will Allen) and interceptions that led to field goals (Jason Allen, Tyrone Culver). After they limited Brandon Marshall to two receptions last week, the frenzy over their struggles against big receivers has been quenched.
Advantage: Miami.
WHEN THE DOLPHINS RUN
The Dolphins' running game has spun its wheels the past three weeks as opposing teams have decided to follow the Ravens' template for stopping Miami's run by crowding the line of scrimmage. The Dolphins have continued to run despite limited success. But last week against Denver, in the fourth quarter, with the game on the line, the Dolphins decided to pass. Seattle has struggled against the run throughout this season. The Seahawks' Lofa Tatupu is an outstanding middle linebacker, but his tackle numbers per game are down slightly this season.
Advantage: Miami.
WHEN THE SEAHAWKS RUN
Miami coaches know Julius Jones well because he played in Dallas last year. Jones had consecutive 100-yard games in September, but he has dropped off of late. The Seahawks nonetheless run the ball effectively, averaging 114.3 yards a game, which is 12th in the NFL. The Dolphins have greatly improved their run defense this season and are coming off their best regular-season performance ever. The Dolphins allowed only 14 rushing yards against Denver last week, which bested the old mark of 16 yards allowed set in 1966.
Advantage: Even.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Seattle ranks sixth in the NFL with an average starting field position at the 29.3-yard line. Returner Josh Wilson is fifth in the NFC with a 25-yard average and had a 61-yard return against Tampa. Former Miami kicker Olindo Mare is having a fine season with the Seahawks, having converted 13 of 14 field goals. That's bad news for the Dolphins, who because they have been inconsistent, as evidenced by the 71-yard punt Brandon Fields had last week that was followed by a 14-yarder. They have yielded long returns on numerous occasions.
Advantage: Seahawks.
COACHING
Mike Holmgren is a potential future Hall of Famer, but in his final season with the Seahawks, Holmgren has his team playing hard, not well. Maybe that's because the Seahawks are not as talented as they used to be. Tony Sparano has brought his team to a fork in the season. The Dolphins can now elect to be playoff contenders or simply be an inconsistent team unable to piece together a long string of victories. Sparano's staff has worked this week in hopes of making Miami pick the latter.
Advantage: Even.
RECENT HISTORY
The last time these teams faced each other in the regular season was in 2004, when the Seahawks won 24-17. The Dolphins lead the all-time series over Seattle 6-3, with five of those victories in South Florida.
Overall Advantage: Miami.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
1½1/04@SEA 24, MIA 17
10/28/01MIA 24, @ SEA20
09/03/00@ MIA 23, SEA 0
01/09/00MIA 20 @ SEA 17 *
10/06/96SEA 22, @ MIA 15
