Seattle host Miami in their first game of the season on Sunday. It’s going to be crucial for the Seahawks to get off to a fast start if they’re going to win.

The biggest key for the Seahawks is going to be for the offense to be efficient with their drives. Even with the uncertainty at guard and running back, Russell Wilson is going to have to need to take advantage of a weak Dolphins secondary (which allowed 7.8 yards per pass in 2015) to air it out. If Seattle can connect on several deep passes, they should be able to open up the running lanes for Christine Michael and whomever is backing him up with Thomas Rawls status being unclear do to an illness.

Miami’s defense was really good at limiting its opponents rushing (4.3 yards per carry). It is going to be hard for Michael, and the rest of the Hawks running backs, to find success against the Dolphins front seven…unless the defense has been stretched to the breaking point.

The Dolphins offense is led by Ryan Tannehill, he is coming off of a where he completed nearly 62% of his passes with 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 4,208 yards (7.2 yards per attempt). While he doesn’t have many high-profile targets, Tannehill has proven to be one of the more consistent quarterbacks in the league since  his rookie season in 2012. He is going to provide an interesting test for a Seahawks defense that allowed 5.8 yards per attempt last season.

Miami’s best bet offensively is going to be to pound the football. The Dolphins averaged 4.3 yards per rush, while Seattle gave up an average of 4.3 yards per carry. If   Tannehill struggles against the Hawks experienced secondary, then putting the ball on the ground probably will be there best bet for success.

Prediction

Miami 21

Seattle 27

The Hawks build up an early lead after a couple of long touchdown passes, but can’t establish the running game as Miami grinds its way back into the ball game…but can’t complete the comeback.

[twitter-follow screen_name=’sportswithneil’] [twitter-follow screen_name=’nvr93′]