MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Each week, our football staff at DK Pittsburgh Sports predicts the Steelers' result, along with sharing a few related thoughts.
For a full preview of this matchup with the Dolphins, check my Kickoff.
Chris Halicke (2-4): Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle present a serious threat to this Steelers defense. They are so fast and difficult to tackle in open space. If Tua Tagovailoa has enough time to pick apart Pittsburgh's zone coverage, Kenny Pickett will have to have his breakout game in order for the Steelers to stand a chance. Fortunately, Miami is giving up 7.9 yards per pass attempt. So, there is a chance the offense could break out and put up some points. But, because the Steelers will be in zone coverage more often this week, they will have to get to Tua. The pass rush showed signs of life against Tampa Bay, and Miami's underwhelming offensive line presents another opportunity to build off of that performance. This one will be very close, but I'm siding with optimism here. Steelers, 23-20
Matt Williamson (1-5): I have the Steelers winning this game. They should be much healthier than last week and I really think Coach Tomlin and Brian Flores are huge assets against a first time head coach and Flores' former organization. Miami has killed themselves with hidden yardage, but who is to say if that continues. And while Tagovailoa returns, I truly don't think he is now all of a sudden the elite quarterback that he played like in the first few weeks of the season. And Miami's offensive line and cornerbacks are really playing poorly. Steelers, 24-23
Ramon Foster (2-4): I can’t say what Miami’s quarterback situation will look like, but I can say they’re going to face a defense that’s feeling pretty good about itself. And that they look to me like they’re ready to stack a couple wins together. Once you get that little taste of winning. Steelers, 28-22
Corey Crisan (1-2): The Steelers made me pay for an awful, awful take of picking Tampa Bay to beat them last week. With the starting quarterback for Miami likely going to be Tagovailoa again, maybe Pittsburgh proves me wrong again. Dolphins, 22-17
Eddie Provident (4-2): The offense showed small signs of life against Tampa Bay, enough to build off of. Chase Claypool needs to become the reliable big body that he was last week and the offensive line has to keep Pickett clean. I think both will happen. Add that to a defense that is slowly getting healthy. Steelers, 27-17
Dejan Kovacevic (1-5): It’s one thing to have an outcome go one’s way, as happened in Cincinnati. It’s another to have all three phases go that way and to have individuals improve within that. I loved the energy last Sunday, I loved the confidence all concerned exhibited, and oh, my goodness, will they love this one all the more. Steelers, 29-17
Let's have your picks in the comments!
