Scouting the Dolphins: Steelers opponent has one of NFL’s best defenses over past month

SCOUTING THE DOLPHINS

Last meeting

Dolphins beat Steelers, 16-10, on Oct. 23, 2022 in Miami

Key matchup

Dolphins CB Rasul Douglas vs. Steelers WR DK Metcalf

Douglas was unsigned until after roster cuts — but since joining Miami via a one-year, $1.572 million deal Aug. 27, he has become one of the team’s most valuable defensive players. Douglas grades out by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s fourth-best starting cornerback. Metcalf is coming off a season-best game (seven catches, 148 yards).

Key injuries

In addition to outside linebacker T.J. Watt (lung), the Steelers will be without cornerback James Pierre (calf), as well as offensive lineman Andrus Peat (concussion). For the Dolphins, defensive back Elijah Campbell (ankle/knee) is doubtful to play. RB De’Von Achane was limited in practice Friday but is expected to play.

Series record

Steelers lead 15-14

Series notes

The teams met just twice over the prior eight regular seasons; the most recent matchup in Pittsburgh was a 27-14 Steelers victory Oct. 28, 2019. The Steelers played at least three games versus every other AFC team over that time period (2017-24). … Before the 2022 game, the Steelers had won seven of the prior nine meetings (including playoffs). … The franchises have met in the postseason four times — but only once over the past 41 years. It was the 2016 wild-card playoff round, with the Steelers prevailing 30-12. To date, that is the Steelers’ most recent home playoff win. … The Steelers are 9-4 (including playoffs) in home games against the Dolphins, including 4-1 at what is now called Acrisure Stadium. … This is the sixth time the warm-weather Dolphins have played a December/January game in Pittsburgh. Three came during the playoffs, with the Steelers winning two. In the regular season, the Steelers beat Miami, 40-24, on Dec. 18, 1988, but lost to the Dolphins, 34-28, on Dec. 8, 2013, during a snowstorm. … This is the third consecutive Steelers-Dolphins meeting played with a primetime kickoff.

Notable

Miami has a four-game winning streak. … Over those past four weeks, no team has allowed fewer points per game than the Dolphins (13.3). That figure would rank No. 1 in the league over the full season. … Over their past seven games, Miami’s defense has allowed an average of 287.6 yards per game – a figure that would rank sixth in the NFL over the full season. … During their winning steak, the Dolphins’ rushing offense is averaging 192.3 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry. Each would easily lead the league over the full 2025 season. … Conversely, the Steelers rush defense over the past four games has allowed 167.5 yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry — figures that would rank last and tied for fifth-to-last in the NFL over the full season. … This is the Steelers’ fourth primetime game of the season, the first on a Monday night. The Steelers lost each of the previous three night games (two on Sundays and one on “Thursday Night Football”). … Miami also has previously played three night games this season; the Dolphins lost two of those three. They did, however, win on their lone “Monday Night Football” appearance — 27-21 at home against the New York Jets on Sept. 29. … The Dolphins have won three of their past four to AFC North opponents, including defeats to the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns in October.

Fantasy tip

This game features two of the NFL’s top six running backs in receptions — Miami’s De’Von Achane (55) ranks fourth and the Steelers’ Kenneth Gainwell sixth with 50. Over the past four weeks, only 10 players across the NFL — regardless of position — have more catches than Gainwell (21).