Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins Betting Preview
Sunday Night Football features an AFC showdown as the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) take on the Miami Dolphins (3-3). The Dolphins will host this one at Hard Rock Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 8:20 pm ET.
The Steelers come into this one off of a shocking 20-18 win over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mitch Trubisky led the team to the win, throwing for 144 yards and a touchdown. Chase Claypool led Pittsburgh receivers with seven receptions for 96 yards.
Dealing with injuries to their quarterbacks, the Dolphins have lost three in a row, including a 24-16 loss to the Vikings last weekend. Teddy Bridgewater threw for 329 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the loss. Tyreek Hill had 12 receptions for 177 yards.
The Dolphins are the overwhelming favorites playing at home. They are -335 to win, while the Steelers’ moneyline sits at +270. The spread features Pittsburgh +7 (-110), and the over/under for total points is 44.5.
Steelers Look For Back-To-Back Upsets
Not too many people gave the Pittsburgh Steelers a chance last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After upsetting the Bucs last week, they will look to make it two upsets in a row as they travel to Miami in Week 7.
After leaving the game with a concussion last weekend, Kenny Pickett was not able to finish his first career win as a starter. According to head coach Mike Tomlin, though, Pickett will be under center Sunday night if he passes concussion protocols.
This season, Pickett has thrown for 514 yards, a touchdown, and four interceptions in three games. If he isn’t able to play, it will be Mitch Trubisky (797 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions) getting the start.
In the backfield, Najee Harris has been a bit of a disappointment thus far. He last rushed 83 times for just 264 yards (3.2 average) and has just one rushing score to date. Through the air, he has 15 receptions for 71 yards and another two scores.
The Steelers have four players with over 225 yards receiving, including Chase Claypool (225 yards, TD), Pat Freiermuth (235 yards, TD), George Pickens (277 yards), and Diontae Johnson (295 yards).
Defensively, the team ranks 23rd in scoring defense, allowing 24.3 points per game to opponents (29 points per game on the road).
Dolphins Playing With Fire Under Center
Anytime a quarterback is returning from a concussion, it gives a team pause. With the issues that Tua Tagovailoa suffered in back-to-back weeks, it will be interesting to see how he will perform on his return this Sunday.
Prior to the injuries, Tagovailoa was playing at a phenomenal level. This season, he has thrown for 1,035 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions in four games.
Tagovailoa has an amazing assortment of receivers at his disposal. Tyreek Hill has already hauled in 50 receptions for 701 yards and two touchdowns. Jaylen Waddle has been almost equally as impressive going for 533 yards and three scores.
On the ground, Raheem Mostert leads the backfield. He has rushed 71 times for 309 yards and a touchdown. He also has eight receptions for 64 yards.
Like Pittsburgh, Miami’s defense has also struggled. They rank 27th in the league in scoring defense, allowing 25.8 points per game, although they are allowing just 16.7 at home.
Take The Steelers And The Points
If this was prior to Tagovailoa’s injuries, this would feel like a no-doubter taking the Dolphins over Pittsburgh. It isn’t, though, and there is no guarantee that the quarterback will return to the same level that he was playing at just a few weeks ago.
Furthermore, the Steelers have some momentum coming off of a massive win over Tampa Bay.
On paper, the Dolphins have the superior team, but with some uncertainties surrounding Miami, taking Pittsburgh and the points seems like the smart play here.
Take Pittsburgh +7 (-110).
