Russell Wilson was hot early. Ryan Tannehill was hot at the right time.
The Dolphins rookie quarterback didn’t have as pretty a stat line as the Seahawks rookie quarterback, but Tannehill was sharp in the fourth quarter to lead the Dolphins to a 24-21 win.
Tannehill finished 18-of-26 for 253 yards with a touchdown and an interception , setting up Dan Carpenter’s game-winning 43-yard field goal as time expired.
Wilson was 21-of-27 for 224 yards, two touchdowns and a 125.9 rating.
But it was Tannehill’s cool down the stretch that allowed the Dolphins to snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 5-6. His 29-yard touchdown to Charles Clay was followed by a defensive stand that saw the Seahawks go backward.
Seattle will complain about a roughing the passer penalty on Earl Thomas that negated a Bobby Wagner interception in the end zone. The Dolphins scored on the next play on a strong run by Daniel Thomas. Thomas was in the air and clipped Tannehill’s head with his forearm on his way past.
But Seahawks return man Leon Washington then took the ensuing kickoff back 98 yards for a touchdown, the eighth of his career, tying the league record. It also gave the Seahawks a 21-14 lead, before Tannehill took over late.