MIAMI GARDENS (AP) — For much of the game, when the Miami Dolphins had the ball, the only thing that seemed to work was the sprinklers.
They came on by mistake late in the third quarter, dousing both teams and causing a brief interruption. An amused crowd roared but otherwise fans had little to cheer about until Miami's offense suddenly came to life.
Rookie Ryan Tannehill helped the Dolphins score 17 points in the last 8:08, including a field goal on the final play, and they rallied past the Seattle Seahawks 24-21 Sunday at Sun Life Stadium.
Tannehill had drawn criticism for mistakes down the stretch in close games but he moved the Dolphins 65 yards in six plays over the final 92 seconds to set up the decisive 43-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter.
Tannehill pulled off his first fourth-quarter comeback victory and the Dolphins overcame a seven point deficit in the final period to win for the first time since 2005.
Carpenter hit the winning kick on his 27th birthday to help Miami (5-6) break a three-game losing streak.
“Anytime you lose consecutive games like that it's tough,” Tannehill said. “We're just looking to get back on track.”
The Seahawks’ Russell Wilson was the better rookie QB for much of the afternoon. He threw two touchdown passes, completed 16 consecutive attempts and finished with a hefty passer rating of 125.9.
“We did a lot of great things but we did some stuff that's not characteristic of us,” Wilson said.
Tannehill finished 18 for 26 for 253 yards and a score. He broke the Dolphins' rookie record of 2,210 yards passing set by Dan Marino in 1983.
A computer glitch caused the sprinklers to come on, creating a comical sight as they briefly showered the entire field on a cloudless afternoon. Wilson said the Seahawks were unfazed. “I think they're used to the rain,” he said.
The Dolphins will take on the New England Patriots at 1 p.m. Sunday at Sun Life Stadium.
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