In Week 6, the Pittsburgh Steelers suffered one of their most embarrassing losses of the season, losing 30-15 to the then-1-4 Miami Dolphins.
Now, with everything on the line, the Steelers will have their chance to exact their revenge next Sunday when the two teams meet in the first round of the AFC playoffs.
The loss to the Dolphins was the start of Pittsburgh’s four-game skid — which included losses to the New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys — but that’s since turned around. The Steelers have won their last seven games, including impressive wins over the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens.
The win over Pittsburgh helped turn Miami’s season around, and the Dolphins went 8-2 the rest of the season. Still, Miami has just one win this season over a team with a winning record… yes, that’s right, the Steelers.
When the two teams last met, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left the game with an injury that required surgery, and the team’s perhaps two best linebackers, Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree, were out from the game with injuries. Also missing from the game was tight end Ladarius Green, who might also miss Sunday’s game (concussion).
On the other side of the ball, there will be some shakeup in the starting lineup in Sunday’s game. Miami will be without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who went down with a serious knee injury (partially torn ACL and MCL joints) against the Arizona Cardinals. In Tannehill’s place will be Matt Moore, who threw for 205 yards in the Dolphins’ season-finale loss to the Patriots.
The big key for Pittsburgh will be the run game — on both sides of the ball. In Week 6, Le’Veon Bell, who is averaging over 100 yards per game this season, had just 53 yards versus the Dolphins. And Miami running back Jay Ajayi introduced himself to the league when he gashed the Steelers’ defense for 204 yards.
The game will take place either Saturday or next Sunday; the playoff TV schedule has yet to be set.
