Pittsburgh Game Day: Steelers vs Dolphins Preview

by Mike Drakulich (PghSportsNation) on October 28, 2019

Welcome to the most comprehensive Pittsburgh Steelers Game Day Preview on the internet! Steel City Underground is where you come to find everything you need to know about the Steelers and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich of Pittsburgh SportsNation brings you inside the huddle for both teams, providing all fans with a weekly game story, Steelers Path to Success, score prediction, game information, a detailed breakdown of each team, individual stats, team stats, and team injury reports. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff! The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform!

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STEELERS MUST FIND THEIR IDENTITY AS SEASON NEARS MIDPOINT

Six games into the 2019 season the Pittsburgh Steelers sit at 2-4. Not counting Ben Roethlisberger and Stephon Tuitt, the team is slowly getting back to full health, coming off of a bye, as just about everyone should be ready to play come kickoff this Monday night against the winless Miami Dolphins.

The defense is playing superb right now. Losing Tuitt hurts, no doubt, but this team has some excellent depth. With Tuitt out, you may see the Steelers alter their defensive game-plan a little bit, perhaps bringing back the good ole days of Blitzburgh to keep opposing offenses on their toes.

This is a championship-caliber defense since acquiring Minkah Fitzpatrick, who really was the glue that brought this whole defense together.

It’s the offense that is holding this team back from contending for a playoff spot, or perhaps even a shot at the AFC North crown.

There is still time left to make the corrections needed to be successful.

Everyone realizes that Mason Rudolph isn’t Roethlisberger. Heck, there are 32 teams in the NFL and only a few have a player that is comparable to the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Rudolph is the QB for the rest of the season if he stays healthy. He may be the heir apparent to the throne once Big Ben retires. With 10 games remaining, it’s past time we all see what talents Rudolph possesses and how good of leader and quarterback he can be. In other words, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner need to take the shackles off of their young signal-caller.

If you’re going down, go down fighting, Go down giving everything you have.

This is an offense that needs to open up its passing game to include its receivers catching passes downfield. It’s also time to see the return of some physical, in your face Steelers football, and that means establishing a rushing attack and pounding the ball down opposing defense’s throats.

“From going through that first full practice with the (starters), I don’t think I’ve missed much,” Rudolph said. “I don’t think I’ve skipped a beat. I think we’re really starting to gel well as an offense, and I’m looking forward to Monday.”

Will Rudolph have any fears of stepping up in the pocket after the brutal hit he took vs the Ravens?

“No,” said Rudolph with a laugh. “My dad’s a linebacker, my brother’s a defensive end – a lot of times I wish I could have more contact in the game because I truly love it. That’s kind of the backyard player that I am. So I’m not going to be gun shy at all. If anything, I’ll be seeking it out, contact, earlier in the game to get the rust back and know what it feels like to get hit.”

Now it’s time to get back to business and take down the Dolphins.

“It’s over now,” Rudolph said of his concussion experience. “It’s behind me. I’m ready to play football.”

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Steelers Path to Success

STOP living in your fears! Hey coach Tomlin and Fichtner! You have to see what Mason Rudolph can bring to the table. Let this guy throw the ball and open up the playbook.
Bring back Steelers Football! This team needs to find it’s manhood and reestablish the running game. A balanced offense is a must.
Blitzburgh against Fitzmagic? Good ole Ryan Fitzpatrick likes to wing the ball around, but he tosses more turnovers than a bakery while under pressure. Bring the heat!
Have you seen us? It’s almost time for a milk carton for the Steelers receivers. In addition to getting the running game going, it’s time to see the actual receivers catch some passes for once.

Prediction

Playtime is over. The Steelers defense is playing great and now it’s time for the offense to join the party. If there was ever a time for the Pittsburgh offense to open it up, it’s going to be on Monday night at Heinz Field when the hapless Miami Dolphins visit the Steel City. The Fish are giving up over 35 points per game. Everyone knows that the defense will be bringing the heat against Ryan Fitzpatrick, hopefully forcing him into giving up a few juicy turnovers. With Mason Rudolph returning to action, it would be nice to see the Steelers coaches open up the offense and start playing aggressive again.

It’s not a difficult game-plan this week. Continue to play fast and physical on defense. With the way this squad has been playing, they should be able to generate multiple turnovers and give the offense some extra chances, hopefully on short fields.

That said, it’s time to let Rudolph find his groove throwing past five yards. There are these weapons called “wide receivers” that really come in handy, especially downfield when you want to get some big gains on offense. I’m sure the RB’s are appreciative of the extra touches out of the backfield, and they are a commodity as a check-down, but that group should get plenty of work carrying the ball with some vigor, and finally showing a semblance of a running game, you know, a Steelers staple since like, forever.

Steelers 34 – Dolphins 10

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Game Information

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Miami Dolphins

Venue: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.

Field: Natural Grass

Game-time: Monday, October 28th, at 8:15 pm ET

TV: ESPN (Local on WTAE-TV)

Announcers: Joe Tessitore (play-by-play) Booger McFarland (analyst) Lisa Salters (reporter)

Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE & WBGG 970 AM

Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Tunch Ilkin (analyst) Craig Wolfley (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)

Internet Broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com

Weather at Kickoff: A mostly clear sky at night. Low: 56°.

Vegas Line: Steelers -14.5

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Pittsburgh Steelers vs Miami Dolphins History

Series History: Began in 1971

Steelers are 14-13 overall vs Dolphins

At Home: 8-4
On Road: 6-9
Post-Season: 2-2
Streak: Dolphins won the last meeting.
Last Regular Season Meeting: Dolphins Win, 30-15 (Oct. 16, 2016)
Last Post-Season Meeting: Steelers Win, 30-12 (Jan. 8, 2017)

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Steelers Injury Report (10/26/19)

Out: None
Doubtful: None
Questionable: LB Mark Barron (Hamstring), LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Back)

Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers

Overall Record: 2-4

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (13th Season with Steelers)

Overall Regular Season Record: 127-70-1 (.641)
Playoff Record: 8-7 (Qualified for playoffs 8 times)

2019 Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster

Steelers Team Statistics

Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 Schedule

Last Game: Steelers 24 – Chargers 17

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STEELERS OFFENSE

QUARTERBACKS

Mason Rudolph*

The 2nd-year gunslinger out of Oklahoma State takes over for the injured Ben Roethlisberger but has yet to be fully unleashed by the coaching staff.

Passing Yards: 646
TD Passes: 7
Interceptions: 2
Sacks: 3
Yards Rushing: 19
Rushing TD’s: 0

Devlin Hodges

The former Samford quarterback showed no fear when he was forced into action vs the Ravens. Did well in first NFL start vs Chargers.

Passing Yards: 200
TD Passes: 1
Interceptions: 1
Sacks: 0
Yards Rushing: 28
Rushing TD’s: 0

Ben Roethlisberger (Injured)

Out for the season with an elbow injury.

RUNNING BACKS

James Conner*

Not off to his best start. Conner needs to get back to power football and secure the ball.

Yards Rushing: 235
Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 26
Yards Receiving: 231
Receiving TD’s: 1

Jaylen Samuels

Dynamic player who can play several positions. Dangerous as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Yards Rushing: 50
Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 13
Yards Receiving: 83
Receiving TD’s: 0

Benny Snell, Jr.

Will be used to spell Conner and possibly short-yardage situations.

Yards Rushing: 105
Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 1
Yards Receiving: 14
Receiving TD’s: 0

Roosevelt Nix (Fullback)

Yards Rushing: 0
Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0
Yards Receiving: 44
Receiving TD’s: 0

WIDE RECEIVERS

Juju Smith-Schuster*

Smith-Schuster is set to prove he is a true No.1 receiver for the Steelers, but now has two fumbles that have cost the team two probable wins.

Receptions: 25
Receiving Yards: 340
Receiving TD’s: 2

Diontae Johnson*

Talented rookie who makes the most of every reception. Blessed with wicked moves in open space.

Receptions: 20
Receiving Yards: 212
Receiving TD’s: 2

James Washington

He was ready to have a breakout season and establish himself as a big-time playmaker in the NFL. So far, not going anywhere as expected. Coming off of injury.

Receptions: 9
Receiving Yards: 140
Receiving TD’s: 0

Donte Moncrief

He was expected to be the #2 receiver but had five drops in the first two games.