(Dolphins.com)
Kickoff is just under three hours away from Pittsburgh, where temperatures sit in the low 20's right now, and the chance for snow rises to around 60% at game time.
Football in December!
This is a HUGE game for both these teams, folks. A Miami Dolphins win would seriously clear their path for that 6th and final playoff spot.
A loss would put them on life support. They would need to win out, and need some help along the way.
Big game.
The keys:
1. Continue To Run The Football: The yards weren't pretty, or flashy, or sexy last week. But they were hard fought. They were critical. And, most importantly, they showed us that Mike Sherman will continue to commit to the run game. That's going to be the key in today's game, folks. How do you win cold, snow games? You run the football. Lamar Miller MUST be apart of the offense today.
2. Get Mike Wallace Involved EARLY: Wallace has put together a strong string of games over the past two weeks, and today should be no different. Ride the emotion from Wallace today. What do I mean by that? He's going to be pumped up for this one. He wants to beat he former team. Get him involved early, get him in a good rhythm, and ride that pony till she dies (not literally, that's awful).
3. Keep The Impressive Stat Alive: What stat, you ask? The Miami Dolphins secondary has allowed a total of ONE touchdown this season to a WR. One. That was Aaron Dobson in week 8. The battle to watch today will be Brent Grimes and Antonio Brown, who's on a team record setting pace for receptions this season with 85. Continue shutting down wide receivers, not only because it's crucial to the game, but because that's just an awesome stat.
4. Don't Stop Today, Olivier: 10.5 sacks. Who saw that coming four months ago? The second year man out of Miami has been dominating lately, so much so he's recently earned defensive player of the week. Don't stop today, Olivier! I may make a T-shirt if he keeps this up, mainly because it rhymes. Continue being a force, make them put SOME attention on you, and then, in effect, free up Cam Wake on the opposite side. That's a one-two punch that could change games.
5. Wrap Him Up: This is what you learn day one of football practice, and it will be CRITICAL to today's game. Ben Roethlisberger is no Tom Brady. He's not Peyton Manning. What do I mean by that? I mean he won't just completely collapse the second someone gets a finger on him. In-fact, it takes a whole lot of fingers, and arms, and muscle, and sheer will, just to get this guy to go down. The chance will be there- Pittsburgh's offensive line is in shambles- however, guys MUST finish the job. Roethlisberger's at his most dangerous when you don't.
PREDICTION
I've gone back and forth all week on this game. But if you forget about the weather, and the venue, and just look at the matchups, then it's hard not to pick Miami. Ryan Tannehill can pick apart this Pittsburgh defense. The Dolphins can dominate up front AND in the secondary. That Steelers front four ranks near the bottom of the league in sacks. Nearly EVERY matchup favors Miami, folks. We're going for four in a row here at The Dolphinsider, so, like Miami, I'm putting it all on the line today. I'm going with the Dolphins. But it's OH. SO. CLOSE.
Final: Dolphins 23 Steelers 21
BIG GAME today, folks.
Check back later for any last minute news, including the inactives.
After that, follow the live, quarter by quarter, blog of all the action today!
2.5 HOURS
GO FINS
[UPDATE: I've just heard a rumor that Miami will wear their aqua pants for the first time in the Joe Philbin era today. If this is true, then it's over, folks. Way to much swag on the Dolphins. Just a hunch.)
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