Fans hoping for a defensive struggle that went down to the wire got exactly what they wanted from the Seahawks in Week 1.

Traveling across the country to play in the loudest stadium in the league, the Miami Dolphins came in as heavy underdogs against the Seahawks. However they gave the Seahawks as tough a test as any they could have had, held to six points until the last four minutes of the game.

They say defense travels, and Miami does have a talented defense that showed they travel well. Byron Maxwell came back to Seattle in a Miami uniform and immediately displayed his innate skill of punching the ball out of a ball carrier's hands on the Seahawks' first offensive possession. Although it was officially ruled an incomplete pass, Maxwell clearly knocked the ball out of Tyler Lockett's hands to prevent the Hawks from picking up a first down.

The Dolphins had a successful game plan in place to stop Russell Wilson and co. Although Russell started out hot, completing his first eight passes to six different receivers, the Dolphins  were able to do what every team that is successful against the Hawks is able to do, force them to pass a lot. Wilson threw a career high 43 passes in the opener, and we know from their slow start last year that Russell throwing the ball that often is not the recipe for success. Many thought that the Seahawks would throw more this season, but if Week 1 is any indication, this year might not be the year that produces dividends. 

However as the Seahawks do, they saved their best for last, with Russ leading the offense down the field for what was their only touchdown drive of the game, hitting Doug Baldwin towards the back corner of the end zone with less than a minute left.

Steven Hauschka though decided to keep it interesting, by missing the ensuing extra point. Replays showed it was blocked, but if Miami could have driven to within field goal range, a make would have won it instead of simply forcing overtime.

Luckily that scenario did not pan out for the visitors, as Cassius Marsh added yet another big play to his opening day, stripping quarterback Ryan Tannehill behind the line on the second to last play. Marsh definitely should get MVP of the game, as he had big plays all game long. Marsh was a beast on special teams, blocking a field goal and laying hat big time on Jakeem Grant on a punt return.

Miami is a decent team, better than their 2015 record would indicate, so it was good for the Hawks to come away with the W. Traditionally they have been slow starters, therefore they should focus on simply just getting the W, and worry about style points later in the year.

Photo:Flickr/Mike Morris