Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 Keys To a Dolphins Win
It almost seems as if every week is a must-win game for the Dolphins.
Honestly though, they can't afford to lose any more ground in what is probably the toughest division to win in the NFL.
Not only is the AFC East the only division in the NFL with a team with five victories, but it is also the only division in the league that has two teams with only one loss and the Dolphins already have two.
If the Dolphins lose this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they dig themselves into a hole they probably cannot come out of, seeing as how they are already 1-2 in the division (0-2 at home).
Sunday's game against Pittsburgh is the Miami Dolphins toughest task to date. It will be a physical game that will match up some of the NFL's hardest hitters on the defensive side and some of the toughest running backs to bring down in the league.
Here are the five keys to victory this Sunday. Obviously all this is easier said than done, so execution is the key.
5. Stop Rashard Mendenhall
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Rashard Mendenhall is sixth in the league in rushing with 495 rushing yards and five TDs this season. He averages 99 yards and just under 24 carries a game.
If Mendenhall continues this curve, it means that the Steelers will be facing second or third down and short on several occasions. If the Fins defense can stop the physical Mendenhall, it will also allow the Dolphins safeties to guard against the deep pass.
Stopping Mendenhall also forces Roethlisberger to try and make plays and the Dolphins secondary has been up to the challenge so far on the season as they rank 12th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game.
Not to say that Roethlisberger can't beat the Dolphins, but it's a safer bet to make Big Ben, only playing his second game on the season, beat you instead of Rashard Mendenhall.
In the only game this season that Mendenhall was held to under 80 yards, the Steelers lost.
4. Cameron Wake Must Be a Factor Again In the Pass Rush
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Last week against the Green Bay Packers, Cameron Wake managed three sacks on his own and continued to show Miami Dolphins fans why upper management had no doubts about releasing Joey Porter in the offseason.
Of the team's 14 sacks on the season, six are by Cameron Wake. He is on pace for 19 sacks this year.
The Steelers will counter with Max Starks or Flozell Adams to temper the wild Wake.
Wake is persistent in his attack and never gives up on any play, and if the secondary can cover as well as they did last week, look for Wake to add a few more notches to his belt.
The two-time CFL defensive player of the year is always good for at least one bull rush sack, but it is not only sacks that will make the difference. Wake needs to penetrate the Steelers dominant offensive line and force Roethlisberger to make a mistake, or try to get out of the pocket.
But if Wake or anyone else on the Dolphins defense can't get to the QB, then the Fins could be in for a long day as Roethlisberger can also make plays with his feet, which leads me to my next step.
3. Do Not Let Big Ben Make Plays With His Feet
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Ben Roethlisberger is one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL.
He has a career average of 3.1 yards a carry and does have 12 touchdowns in his career thus far. He is not afraid to tuck the ball into his arms and run with it. At 241 pounds, he is no simple task to take down either.
Previously I mentioned stopping Rushard Mendenhall, and now I am saying to stop Ben Roethlisberger. Sounds easy right?
Ladies and gentlemen, this is why Big Ben has two Super Bowl rings in his six years in the league. He isn't good, he's great.
I have enough faith in the Dolphins secondary to stop the Steelers receivers, which is why I put so much stock in to stopping Pittsburgh's backfield.
The Dolphins front seven has to step up in this game. They are ranked right in the middle of the league being 16th in rushing defense. Tony McDaniel has showed in the past few weeks he can play the end position, and now that first-round draft pick Jared Odrick is out for the year, it seems that the end position is an open battle waiting to be won.
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2. Run Rick-and-Ronnie Run
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Simply put, RUN THE BALL.
If the Dolphins are trailing by more than 14, they will lose.
If the Chad Henne is throwing the ball 40 times, they will lose.
When Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams combine for over 100 yards this season the Dolphins are 3-0. When Brown and Williams combine for less than 100 they are 0-2.
Now that doesn't mean that 100 yards equals victory. It means that the Dolphins controlled the clock, controlled the field and field position and won those games playing Miami Dolphins style football.
Against the Packers, Dan Henning shelved the Wildcat, but that needs to be a one-game deal. Trying to run straight through the Steelers front seven is a recipe for disaster.
If the Dolphins use the Wildcat, run sweeps to the left (ahem, Jake Long) and some draw plays after successful passing plays, then the rushing game will be able to, once again, dominate the time of possession and field position.
Of course fans want to see Chad Henne throw for 400 yards and Brandon Marshall catch another 15 passes, but if that is happening then I will guarantee you the Dolphins will be trying to come from behind.
1. Continue To Progress In the Special Teams Game
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Dan Carpenter made four field goals last week, only three that counted though. He hit a 43-yard field goal, which the Dolphins ended up getting a holding call against them so Carpenter then proceeded to hit a 53-yard field goal, and also a 41-yard attempt and the game-winning 44-yard field goal in overtime.
A game after the Dolphins special teams practically cost them a divisional game and special teams coach John Bonamego was fired, the group bounced back to have a solid effort against the Packers and hopefully this is a sign that things are headed in the right direction.
The Steelers lead the league in scoring defense, allowing an average of 12 points per game, so giving a team like this, extra positions or beneficial field position is essentially digging your own grave.
Against the Packers, the Dolphins allowed about 10 yards on punt returns and just under 20 yards on kick-off returns, one game after allowing a punt to be blocked and a kick off to be returned to the house for a touchdown.
If the special teams can hold their ground again and show continued improvement, then the Dolphins chances of winning increase that much more.
This of course, is the biggest IF which is why it is the No. 1 key to a Miami Dolphins victory this Sunday
Easier Said Than Done
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All of these factors are easier said than done.
The Dolphins go into Sunday's game looking to buck the ongoing trend they have as they are 3-0 on the road but 0-2 at home.
Falling behind another game to the idle Jets would be all but devastating at this early part in the season, especially after falling to them earlier at home and having to face them again in the later part of the season in New York.
The Dolphins need to play their game of finesse with the rushing game and control the clock. Keep Pittsburgh's defense on the field. It's a one o'clock home game and the sun will be beating down on the field.
Use the home field advantage and the Dolphins will have a very impressive victory on Sunday.
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