Dolphins have the advantage with their run game and Steelers injuries
The Miami Dolphins are a rare situation for the franchise where they should win despite a notoriously tough setting. This Monday night is on the road, in the cold, and against a winning team in Prime Time.
This is usually a recipe for a Phins to loss.
But, after the injury carnage Pittsburgh’s suffered, Miami must win this — and here’s why the matchup is tilted in the Dolphins’ favor and how Miami should close the door.
The question is will they?
The injury swing is massive for the Phins
Pittsburgh comes into the game severely hobbled.
The biggest blow is T.J. Watt’s hospitalization for a lung issue and isn’t playing. That alone removes the AFC’s premier edge-rusher from the equation. On top of that the Steelers have multiple players in concussion protocol (Andrus Pea out, Darnell Washington questionable, Malik Harrison reported limited), and cornerback James Pierre their best pass defender is ruled out with a calf injury.
When your star pass rusher is sidelined and your linebackers are in and out of protocol, your identity — pressuring quarterbacks, setting the edge against the run, covering intermediate seams — gets bluntly reduced. Add in the loss of Pierre and this Steelers defense that has struggled all season is coming in seriously hobbled.
Devon Achane and Jaylen Waddle are big play quick strike players, and any defensive hole could lead to a could easily lead to game changing plays. Considering this will be a lower scoring game in rough offensive conditions and point will be a premium, that’s a huge, immediate advantage for Miami.
Why Miami should — and needs to — win
Miami’s playoff math makes this a must-win from a momentum and tiebreak perspective. If the Dolphins want to keep hopes alive for a 10–7 finish and the mid-teens playoff probability that comes with it, you can be with the best pay per head that they must win.
The Steelers’ injuries hand Miami an opening to prove its toughness and to show the kind of consistency their coaching staff keeps preaching. This is a critical measuring stick for the Dolphins and McDaniel.
Pittsburgh’s injuries don’t guarantee a win — football is played on the field — but they hand Miami the tools to impose its will.
