ESPN: Are Dolphins better off facing Steelers or Texans in playoffs? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

ESPN: Are Dolphins better off facing Steelers or Texans in playoffs?

Perfect72

Perfect72

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Which matchup would be better for the Dolphins? Here are the pros and cons to each:

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Why Dolphins could win: Miami has done it before. The Dolphins beat the Steelers 30-15 in Week 6; Jay Ajayi had his way with Pittsburgh’s defense, and the Dolphins roughed up quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The win gave the Dolphins plenty of confidence -- it was the springboard to Miami reeling off nine of its last 10 games. In some ways facing the Steelers a second time would bring the Dolphins’ surprising season full circle.

Why Dolphins could lose: The first meeting was in South Florida. Playing in the cold and potentially inclement weather in Pittsburgh in January favors the Steelers. Roethlisberger also was in and out of the previous meeting, and now is playing much better football. Facing an elite quarterback in a “win or go home” situation always is unnerving for opponents. The difference between Roethlisberger and Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore is vast. Pittsburgh’s offense also has arguably the best receiver (Antonio Brown) and best running back (Le’Veon Bell) in the NFL.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Why Dolphins could win: The Texans are a flawed playoff team with several well-defined holes, particularly on offense. They have big issues at quarterback, with backup Tom Savage replacing Brock Osweiler due to performance. Houston scored just 12 points in Savage’s first start last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Dolphins also pounded the Texans 44-26 last season, and many of those players remain on Houston’s roster.

Why Dolphins could lose: The Texans’ defense is No. 1 in the NFL. They are an aggressive and physical front that would give the Dolphins’ offense problems. Add the fact that Miami’s defense isn’t ranked well statistically and struggles against the run, and this could be tough to overcome. Miami is 4-4 on the road with no real signature wins. The Dolphins didn’t beat a team above .500 on the road, and Houston has a winning record.

More at LINK: http://www.espn.com/blog/miami-dolp...ter-off-facing-steelers-or-texans-in-playoffs

Your thoughts? :ponder:
 
Steelers are an extremely battle-tested team that - yes - we beat earlier this year. Texas are a team with a backup QB that - true - we tend to lose to. However, all things being equal, I am desperately hoping a scenario plays out where we face the Texans in the wildcard and then somehow travel to play the Raiders.
 
It's like pick your poison.

We should be able to move the ball against Pittsburgh, even with Matt Moore, but can we stop their offense?

We should be able to pressure the hell out of Savage and not be exploited . . . . but can Matt Moore do enough to manage the offense to a win and not falter under the pressure?

I'm hoping for the Texans. Our back 7 is easily the biggest liability on the field . . . we don't need a HOF QB playing his best football of the season, at home, coming in shredding us.
 
I pick the Texans. We can load up to stop the run and Savage can't hurt us too much. Our offense will be fine
 
We can beat either team, but I would prefer to play in a warmer climate.
If it is 35 degrees and rain (worse case scenario) in Pittsburg, that would definitely be a factor.
If the Stealers get on top, the Fins will pack it up and head for the busses in the 3rd quarter.
Cold rain will kick you in the balls and it is tough to get back up.

Playing against a weaker team in a warmer climate in definitely better.
 
Obvioisly the team without an elite qb rb and wr
 
Texans d is pretty damn good but so is gases uses of formations etc and is it really a question roethlisberger or tom savage

:lol:
 
hoops said:
Texans d is pretty damn good but so is gases uses of formations etc and is it really a question roethlisberger or tom savage

:lol:
Click to expand...

Was there another post I may have missed where you went into more depth about this? Thanks in advance.
 
Bring on either one of those beatches! If we stay healthy, I like our chances against either team. Big Ben is an awesome QB, but he is a down the field type QB that this defense is good at stopping. He is not as good at hitting the middle, which is where we struggle.
 
I think we're getting Pittsburgh. Does anyone think we will beat the Patriots? Seems like Brady vs our back 7 will be child's play.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Of course Big Ben is a beast, however, the Steelers offensive line cannot stop Wake....serious problem for them. Wake will again tee off on Big Ben, so bring on the Steelers.

I also trust Lippett and Howard on Brown, just need our safeties to help over the top.
 
The Texans’ defense is No. 1 in the NFL
Click to expand...
Haven't we heard something similar with almost every team the Dolphins have faced this year?!?
 
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