Scouting the Steelers' Week 7 opponent: Miami Dolphins
The Pittsburgh Steelers will head south to take on the Miami Dolphins at 8:20 p.m. Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Here’s a look at the Steelers’ Week 7 opponent:
The basics
Coach: Mike McDaniel, first season (3-3)
Record: 3-3
Division: AFC East, third place
Wins: Patriots (20-7), Ravens (42-38), Bills (21-19)
Losses: Bengals (27-15), Jets (40-17), Vikings (24-16)
Stat leaders
Passing: Tua Tagovailoa, 80-15, 1,035 yards, 8 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing: Raheem Mostert, 71-309 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Tyreek Hill, 50-701 yards, 2 TDs
Tackles: Brandon Jones, 42
Sacks: Melvin Ingram, Jones, 2
Interceptions: Jevon Holland, 1
2022 storylines
• The Dolphins were the talk of the NFL after three weeks, having defeated the Patriots, Ravens and AFC favorite Bills to start 3-0. A three-game slide has followed. It’s no coincidence that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left the first loss against the Bengals after suffering a concussion and also didn’t play the past two weeks in subsequent losses. Tagovailoa also left the Week 3 game against the Bills with what was deemed a back injury. Four days later, he was concussed against the Bengals during a Thursday night game.
His injuries in back-to-back games resulted in the NFL and NFLPA changing their concussion protocol policies.
He is expected to return to the field Sunday night.
Tua on returning to the team while on a losing streak: I have to be myself. I’m not the savior of this team. I don’t just come in and we start winning games. It’s a team deal.
— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) October 19, 2022
• The third-year QB has had a solid start to his career. After throwing for 1,814 yards and 11 TDs in 10 games as a rookie in 2020, he upped those marks to 2,653 yards and 16 TDs in 13 games last season.
He was the fifth overall choice in the 2020 draft after being named the Offensive MVP for Alabama in the 2018 College Football Playoff national championship. His junior season was cut short after he injured his hip.
• Tagovailoa has certainly helped the Dolphins’ offense succeed, but no one has had more of an impact than wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Since joining Miami via trade from Kansas City in the offseason (and signing a four-year, $120 million contract extension), Hill has been unstoppable. After catching 12 passes for 177 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings, the four-time Pro Bowler has an NFL-high 701 receiving yards and is on pace for 1,986 yards, which would break Calvin Johnson’s record of 1,964 set in 2012.
“It would make me feel really good to do something like that, just the magnitude of that, a fifth-round draft pick,” Hill told the Miami Herald. “A lot of people labeled me a return specialist, not being your traditional wide receiver. The magnitude of it speaks volumes. If I break it, I would be grateful for the opportunity, grateful for what God blessed me with and … would hope to break it again … if I do.”
• Fellow Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle is battling a shoulder injury and has been limited in practice. McDaniel said Wednesday that he is optimistic Waddle will be available Sunday. He has been a strong complement to Hill with 30 catches for 533 yards and three touchdowns.
• A win over the Steelers would give the Dolphins the 500th win in franchise history, including playoffs.
Last meeting
• Mason Rudolph threw touchdown passes to Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster, and James Conner ran for a fourth-quarter TD, as the Steelers defeated the Dolphins, 27-14, in their most recent meeting Oct. 28, 2019, at Heinz Field. Steelers kicker Chris Boswell also booted 42- and 41-yard field goals. Rudolph completed 20 of 36 passes for 251 yards, and Conner ran for 145 yards. Miami was led by QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw for 190 yards and two TDs.
• The Steelers lead the all-time series with the Dolphins, 15-13. The Dolphins’ last victory was in 2016 when they beat the Steelers, 30-15, at Hard Rock Stadium. Jay Ajayi ran for 204 yards and two touchdowns, and Andrew Franks kicked three field goals.
Facts and figures
701 - Receiving yards for Hill, the most in Dolphins history through the first six games of a season.
137 receiving yards for @cheetah ???? pic.twitter.com/cQoihB6o1U
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 16, 2022
14-0 - Record of the 1972 Dolphins, led by Hall of Fame coach Don Shula, that won Super Bowl VII and became the NFL’s only undefeated team in history. The Dolphins will wear throwback uniforms from that season Sunday, including a commemorative patch.
Coming soon ???? #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/fFliM7T59G
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 19, 2022
16 - Number of combined punts between the Dolphins and Vikings in last week’s 24-16 Minnesota victory.
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