Steelers at Dolphins: Preview, Predictions, and More

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins

The Pittsburgh Steelers go on the road to face a reeling Miami Dolphins team, fresh off a humiliating loss against the Tennessee Titans. The Steelers have been one of the best teams in the league this year, coming into Miami having won four of the first five games, most of them by double digits. Their only loss this season, an inexplicable blowout defeat at the hands of a surprisingly good Philadelphia Eagles team.

For the Dolphins, the season may already be over. If it’s not over yet, it will be with another home loss. This is a team that, on paper, has just as much talent as almost anyone in the league. Yet, when you watch the games this year, they put on the performance of a team completely bereft of talent. To say that this team gives fans headaches would be an understatement.

Steelers Keys to Victory

Play within yourself: Don’t overthink the gameplan. Don’t try to outsmart yourself and get cute with things. This is a struggling team that has very obvious, very exploitable flaws. The things that the Miami Dolphins don’t do well, the Pittsburgh Steelers do very well. If the Steelers play their game, everything should play out in their favor on Sunday.

Challenge the corners: Or should I say lack thereof. Despite being in the middle of the pack in pass defense this season, it sure doesn’t look that way when you watch the Dolphins team play. They don’t have a reliable, shut-down corner, and their linebackers can’t cover, either. They aren’t putting pressure on the quarterback with the front four. Combine that with arguably the best wide receiver in the league and a strong-armed quarterback, that spells victory.

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Pressure, pressure, pressure: Earlier this week, the Miami Dolphins released three of their offensive linemen. If I’m on the Pittsburgh defense, I absolutely can’t wait for Sunday to get here. Ryan Tannehill has been the most-sacked quarterback in the league since he entered, due to a porous offensive line. That line has failed Tannehill badly this year, giving up 11 sacks in the last two games alone. Put pressure on that offensive line and those new starters early and often.

Dolphins Keys to Victory

Contain Brown and Bell: I know, easier said than done. Antonio Brown is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL. The same could be said for Le’Veon Bell at the running back position. The Dolphins are average, at best, in pass defense, and the worst in the league at stopping the run. They have their hands full on Sunday. If they’re going to have any shot at pulling off an upset against one of the class teams in the AFC, they must stop these two players.

Rattle Ben Roethlisberger: Again, easier said than done. Big Ben is one of the largest quarterbacks in the league, and he’s incredibly mobile. He creates well on the run, and is a force to be reckoned with both inside and outside the pocket. The fact is that behind Dolphins front four, there isn’t a whole lot of talent, aside from Reshad Jones. Cameron Wake, Ndamukong Suh, and the rest of the crew have been disappointing so far this season. It’s time for them to step up in a big way.

Establish the run: One of the biggest problems for the Dolphins offensively in 2016 has been the lack of a running game. No one has really separated themselves after Arian Foster went down with a groin injury, and Ryan Tannehill has suffered for it. The lack of a run game, combined with a lackluster defense, has put Miami in a hole early in games, forcing the team to become one-dimensional. Which allows Tannehill to take a beating week in and week out. If this continues, it’s going to be “lights out” on the season, and maybe Tannehill’s career in Miami. The good news is, Foster is expected to return to the lineup this week.

Odds

Point Spread: Pittsburgh -7.5

Moneyline: Pittsburgh -350, Miami +290

Over/Under: 48.5

Prediction

There just isn’t any way that I can realistically see the Dolphins winning this game. I know that the Steelers are a different team when they go on the road. Yes, they have a tendency to play down to their opponents and can lose games that they shouldn’t lose. I know.

Still, I just don’t see any way Miami pulls an upset. This team looks defeated already, and their opponent on Sunday is the best they’ve faced all season. None of that bodes well for Adam Gase lighting a fire under this team and notching the biggest win of his young head coaching career.

Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers: 34 Miami Dolphins: 14

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