Steelers, Dolphins Week 8 Keys to the Game

by Mike Pelaia (SteelNationAssc) on October 26, 2019

The 0-6 Dolphins come to Heinz Field on Monday night to take on the 2-4 Steelers in a game that must be won by the Steelers.

The Dolphins are clearly one of, if not the, worst team in football and with the Steelers coming out of their bye week and off a win on the road against the Chargers, there is no reason for them to come out flat.

The first thing Pittsburgh needs to do is get after Ryan Fitzpatrick and force him to make the mistakes he’s known for. Fitzpatrick is gutty and will make throws all over the field, often to the opposing jersey. The way the Steelers defense has been playing, I anticipate at least two interceptions out of the secondary.

Fitzpatrick is also a guy the Steelers should be able to sack often. I’m looking for a big game out of TJ Watt. I don’t expect the Dolphins offense to do much against the rabid Steelers defense but it will be interesting to see how the Steelers play in their first game without out stud defensive end Stephon Tuitt.

Will that change their approach? No. Will it change their play?

Yes, naturally it has to, he’s a talent that’s hard to replace. Against the Dolphins, however, it won’t matter much.

Offensively, the Steelers must go back to doing what they did against the Chargers, center the offense around James Conner and run the football.

Mason Rudolph will start the game and it’s my hope that Randy Fichtner will allow him to throw the ball downfield and utilize his receivers more. It’s time to get JuJu Smith-Schuster the ball and there is no better team to try throwing deep against than the winless Dolphins.

No matter what the approach is this week, the Steelers must and will come out on top. The Dolphins are “tanking for Tua” and it’s working. The Steelers will be dead in the water should they lose. Heads must roll if the team loses to the Dolphins after a bye week.

Not going to happen this week though.