Much has changed since Sunday, October 16th. The Cubs won the World Series. Donald Trump won the presidential election. Most importantly, the Pittsburgh Steelers are a very different football team. After the 30-15 loss to the Dolphins in week six, the Steelers looked hungry for vengeance in the rematch. The conditions were slightly different. In Miami, the temperature was over 90 degrees. Sunday, the temperature was flirting with single digits throughout the day. Also, Miami was without their starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and Ben Roethlisberger was at full strength.
Pittsburgh Steelers Wild Card Takeaways
In the AFC Wildcard Round, the Steelers looked rather impressive against the six seeded Dolphins. The defense was able to slow down running back Jay Ajayi significantly from his 204 yard performance from Week Six. Also, pressure and hits on Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore led to key turnovers. Offensively, it was all about the “Killer B’s”. Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell all had huge games to lead the offense to 30 points in the cold weather. This type of performance will be needed yet again next week to beat the Chiefs in frigid Kansas City.
Defense Redeems Themselves Against Jay Ajayi
The major issue in week six was stopping the run game. Before his 204 yard performance against the Steelers, Jay Ajayi was relatively unknown. Ajayi, however, went on to have two more 200 yard rushing performances this year and helped to carry the Dolphins offense. The focus heading into this game was to prevent Ajayi from taking over like he had in the previous meeting. Mission accomplished. Ajayi ran for just 33 yards on 16 carries, and showed clear frustration. The defensive line stepped up and was able to make sure the run game was not established.
Aggressive Defense Forces Turnovers
This improved play not only helped keep the run game at bay, but also forced mistakes in the passing game. Backup quarterback Matt Moore, who had a fairly good game statistically, committed costly turnovers caused by the Steelers aggressive defense. With the Steelers up 20-6 late in the second quarter, Miami was driving and threatening to score before halftime. However, linebacker James Harrison sacked Moore and caused a fumble recovered by the Steelers. This kept the Dolphins from reaching the end zone and making it a one possession game entering halftime.
In the third quarter, safety Mike Mitchell also forced a Moore fumble, which resulted in a Chris Boswell field goal. On the very next Dolphins possession, Moore was intercepted by Ryan Shazier, setting up a Le’Veon Bell touchdown. The ability to force these turnovers was one of the biggest keys to victory on Sunday for the Steelers. The defense played energized and forced the Dolphins offense to turn the ball over, which the Steelers offense converted into points.
“Killer B’s” Put On Offensive Showcase
This was the first playoff game in which all three “Killer B’s” were on the field and healthy together. Not only did the Steelers offense strike Miami full force, they struck them fast. On the Steelers first two drives, they ran 11 plays total and picked up 175 yards. Both drives resulted in Antonio Brown touchdowns. The first was a 50 yard reception in which Brown waited for the right moment then sprinted up the sideline. The second was a 62 yarder in which Brown beat the corner then raced around the safety into the end zone.
After Antonio Brown put up 119 yards and two touchdowns on the first two drives, it was Le’Veon Bell’s turn to produce on offense. The Steelers third possession consisted entirely of Bell, ten rushes for 78 yards and a touchdown. These three successful drives allowed the Steelers to jump on the Dolphins early and assert themselves.
With the win, the Steelers move on to face the second seeded Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Playoff. Earlier in the year, the Steelers beat the Chiefs 43-14 at Heinz Field in Week Four. As we learned this week though, a lot can change over the course of a season. Pittsburgh must step up and deliver another top notch effort to move to nine wins in a row, clinch a spot in the AFC Championship game, and keep the Chiefs from getting their revenge for the blowout in week four.
