Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (88) runs ahead of Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) on a touchdown run in the first half Sunday. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
When the Dolphins have the ball…
Miami passing (26th in NFL) vs. Pittsburgh pass defense (16th)
With Matt Moore likely under center, the Dolphins will offer a different look to the Steelers pass defense that allowed 252 passing yards in its Week 6 setback in Miami. If Moore plays, the Steelers will need to account for a variety of targets, as the veteran QB has utilized DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills heavily. If Ryan Tannehill were to return under center, Pittsburgh could focus more on Jarvis Landry, who was targeted nine times in the teams’ first meeting. Regardless of who is under center for the Dolphins, Miami should only expect marginal success against a respectable Steelers pass defense.
Edge: Pittsburgh
Miami rushing (9th) vs. Pittsburgh rush defense (14th)
Oh, how times have changed. When these teams first met on Oct. 16, Miami had no defined rushing attack, having run for over 100 yards only once in their first five contests. But against Pittsburgh, Jay Ajayi introduced himself to the football world with the first of two consecutive 200-yard performances. And with Ajayi’s leap, Miami improved from one of the worst rushing offenses in the league to a top-10 team. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has consistently performed well against the run, having allowed over 100 yards only six times during the regular season. Miami’s rushing attack has been inconsistent, but past performance indicates that the Dolphins may be able to produce on the ground against Pittsburgh.
Edge: Miami
When the Steelers have the ball…
Pittsburgh passing (5th) vs Miami pass defense (15th)
A healthy Ben Roethlisberger will make all the difference for the Steelers. Pittsburgh’s star quarterback was forced to leave the Week 6 game in Miami with an injury before returning and finishing out the game. Despite only missing two series before the half, Roethlisberger’s second-half performance suggested he wasn’t at 100 percent, ending the game with a pedestrian 189 yards and two interceptions on 19-of-34 passing. Miami’s pass defense has been solid all season, but against an established quarterback on the road with Antonio Brown at his disposal, stopping the Steelers passing game a second time will be easier said than done.
Edge: Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh rushing (15th) vs Miami rush defense (30th)
Le’Veon Bell has established himself as one of the best running backs in the NFL, while the Dolphins’ run defense has proven to be among the league’s worst. Bell, who ran for 1,268 yards in just 12 games, should have little trouble against a Dolphins defense that allowed him 108 all-purpose yards in their first meeting this season. Though Miami held Bell to only 53 rushing yards in that game, the 24-year-old back amassed that yardage on only 10 carries. A larger workload should allow Bell to go off against a defense that seems poised to offer little resistance.
Edge: Pittsburgh
