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Baxter Bits: Dolphins at Seahawks
By Russell S. Baxter
Special to ESPN.com
The Dolphins head west to the Kingdome for the first time since 1992 as these teams battle for the first time since 1996.
|  | | | Jon Kitna's Seahawks lost five of their last six ... and still won the AFC West. |
Including playoffs, while the Dolphins own a 5-3 edge in the series standings, the Seahawks managed a 22-15 victory in 1996 at Pro Player Stadium in the most recent encounter between the teams.
The Dolphins are 1-1 lifetime at the Kingdome, their last appearance in Seattle resulting in a 19-17 victory in 1992.
This marks the third postseason meeting between these clubs, with Seattle posting a 27-20 upset victory at the Orange Bowl in the 1983 AFC Divisional Playoffs, while Miami rebounded with a 31-10 triumph at the Orange Bowl in the 1984 AFC Divisional Playoffs.
Numbers: The Dolphins have allowed nine defensive touchdowns returns (7 interceptions, 2 fumbles) in 16 games in '99. PK Olindo Mare has kicked an NFL-record 39 field goals in 16 games in '99. Miami's defense has allowed 25 touchdowns, while Miami's offense and special teams have given up 10 touchdowns (7 interceptions, 2 fumbles, 1 kickoff) in 16 games in '99. Including playoffs, the Dolphins have allowed 265 points in 20 wins, 391 points in 14 losses dating back to '98. Since 1996 (including playoffs), under head coach Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins have totaled 119 sacks and 95 takeaways in 37 wins but just 40 QB traps and 37 takeaways in 30 losses. The Dolphins have committed two or more turnovers in seven straight games. The Dolphins have not intercepted a pass in four straight games.
Seahawks QB Jon Kitna has thrown seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions in his last six games (1-5), after 16 TD passes and just 6 interceptions in his first nine contests (7-2) in '99. The Seahawks have committed 16 turnovers in their last six games (1-5), this after committing 17 turnovers in their first 10 contests (8-2) in '99. Since 1996, the Seahawks have given up 516 points in 32 wins (16.1 PPG), 830 points in 32 losses (25.9 PPG). Since 1996, the Seahawks have allowed 140 or more yards rushing in 24-of-64 games, 180-plus yards rushing in nine of those contests. The Seahawks have limited the opposition to 17 or fewer points in 8-of-16 contests in '99. They have forced two or more turnovers in three straight games.
The Coaches: Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson is 8-3 in postseason play (7-1 with Cowboys, 1-2 with Dolphins), while Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren is 9-5 in postseason play (9-5 with Packers, 0-0 with Seahawks).
Postseason History: The Dolphins are making their 19th overall playoff appearance (19th since merger) and are 18-16 in postseason play (18-16 since merger), while the Seahawks are making their 5th overall playoff appearance (5th since merger) and are 3-4 in postseason play (3-4 since merger).
Things To Look For: It's been a forgettable season for Dolphins' QB Dan Marino, who finished the season with more interceptions than touchdown passes for the first time in his NFL career. But he'll be facing a Seahawks' defense that lost its opportunistic touch down the stretch, while Seattle's offense turned mistake-prone as well.
Etc.: The Seahawks are making their first playoff appearance since 1988 (ending the longest current playoff drought in the NFL) and are hosting a postseason game for the first time since defeating the then-L.A. Raiders, 13-7, in the '84 AFC Wild Card Playoffs. Both the Dolphins and Seahawks are 1-5 in their last 6 games, this after opening 8-2 in '99. The Dolphins are just 10-14 in the playoffs (10-5 at home, 0-7 on road, 0-2 in Super Bowls) dating back to the 1974 postseason, this after amassing an 8-2 playoff record from 1970-73...Dolphins' QB Dan Marino made his first NFL playoff start against the Seattle Seahawks, a 27-20 loss at the Orange Bowl in the 1983 AFC Divisional Playoffs.
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