The Pittsburgh Steelers are trying to build some momentum Monday night by making it two straight wins, but the challenge is steep as they host a Miami Dolphins team that’s suddenly playing very good football. It gets even tougher with TJ Watt ruled out, a loss that impacts far more than just the pass rush.
Without Watt on the field, Pittsburgh’s defense becomes more vulnerable on the edges, and that’s exactly where Miami likes to attack. De’Von Achane has been one of the most explosive runners in the league, and the Dolphins’ run game is built around speed to the outside. That’s a bad combination for a Steelers defense that will also be dealing with injury concerns up front, as Cameron Heyward and Derrick Harmon both showed up on Friday’s injury report. Even if they play, it’s fair to question how effective that defensive line can be.
Because of that, this game may ultimately come down to how well the Steelers’ offense controls it. After managing just 34 rushing yards last week in Baltimore, Pittsburgh has reached the point where it must recommit to the run. The matchup is there. Miami’s run defense ranks 25th in the league and is giving up 131 yards per game, which is an area the Steelers need to exploit.
Running the ball isn’t just about moving the chains, either. Long, sustained drives keep Achane and Miami’s offense on the sideline and protects a defense that could be stretched thin. In a primetime game at home, likely in cold and windy conditions, that formula makes even more sense. This isn’t a game that needs to turn into a track meet.
For Pittsburgh, the blueprint is clear: run the football with purpose, take smart shots in the passing game, win the time-of-possession battle, and avoid putting the defense in bad spots. With Watt out and the defensive front banged up, the offense carrying more of the load isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity if the Steelers want to protect their home field and keep the Dolphins from taking over the game on the perimeter.