The Steelers have a banged up offensive line heading into the game with Miami.
David DeCastro will be back at right guard after injuring his foot last week against Baltimore, but center Fernando Velasco and left tackle Kelvin Beachum are out.
That means Cody Wallace will get his first career start at center, while Mike Adams will be at left tackle for the first time since being pulled after week four.
Against a Miami defensive front that has 37 sacks, that could be tough.
The Dolphins have also given up just one touchdown pass to an opposing wide receiver this season, though Miami has allowed seven scores to opposing tight ends.
The Steelers, meanwhile, should have some success getting after Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who has been sacked 45 times this season.
The Steelers have been getting good production out of Jason Worilds in the past month and should get LaMarr Woodley back this week, at least on a limited basis.
Tannehill also has never played a game in the snow before, which should be interesting considering the snow that hit the area Friday night.
The Steelers are 3-point favorites in this game and actually need it worse than Miami - who also needs it pretty badly.
I'm picking the Steelers to win, 24-16.
@ The Steelers on Saturday activated tight end Matt Spaeth from the injured reserve/designated to return list and released tight end Richard Gordon.
It's an important move for the team, which will have Mike Adams at LT Sunday. Adams had been used as an extra blocker in three tight ends packages. Spaeth graded out as one of the top blocking tight ends in the NFL in 2012.
Steelers - 19 Dolphins - 13
ReplyDelete(#84 takes it to the house in OT)
Really worried that they're gonna revert to the team from week 1-4 b/c of the O-line.
ReplyDeleteI think Miami goes deep early and often and the Steelers find themselves, once again, playing from behind in the first quarter.
Miami's really not a deep passing team. Wallace has just nine catches of 20-plus yards.
ReplyDeleteSanders and Cotchery both have 9 and Brown has 16 20-plus catches.
This game is going to be a mess with Ben sacked 5 or more times and 2 turnovers by the offense.
ReplyDeleteBut I think the Steelers can win if the D gets the same amount of turnovers. I'll go Steelers 20-17.
Does anyone else get the feeling Baltimore is going to lay an egg v. Minn tomorrow?
No, the Ravens beat bad teams at home like clockwork.
ReplyDeleteRavens won't lose this week, but wouldn't be surprised if they lost their last three.
ReplyDeleteBad weather tomorrow Dale. Baltimore can't get the runNing game going to save their lives, The Vikings have the best back in the league. Otherwise I'd agree with you.
ReplyDeleteIm going to watch the game at a Dolphin fan club. I hope your prognostication is right Dale or I'm goingto take some serious abuse from my Dolphin friends.
ReplyDelete