Dolphins vs Steelers Predictions: Week 15 Monday Night Football Preview

Miami Dolphins @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Line: Steelers -3

Total: 42.5 

 

We wrap up Week 15 with a sneaky important match-up between the Steelers and the Dolphins. Both teams are still in the mix for the play-offs and the outcome of this game will have big implications heading into Week 16. Kick-off is set for 8:15 ET and the game will be broadcast on ESPN. 

 

The big storyline from this game is the cold weather. Temperatures are expected to be in the teens when the game begins, and that has led people to wanting to blindly pick against the Dolphins. Miami has long been a bad team in cold weather, while starting QB Tua Tagovailoa is 0-5 in games below 40 degrees. I tend to not buy into small sample sizes like this, for example the Dolphins won in cold weather last week against the New York Jets it just happened to be a few degrees over 40. Regardless, the majority of the public is on the Steelers here despite how well the Dolphins have been playing. 

 

The key for me in this one is the absence of TJ Watt. Pittsburgh has really never played well without him in the lineup and they are also set to be missing DT Derrick Harmon as well. Harmon really helps as a run stuffer, while the Dolphins have been one of the most run-heavy teams in football the last month. In his career, the Steelers allow under 100 rush yards per game with Harmon active while that number balloons to over 180 with him off the field. De’Von Achane has been on a heater, and I truly think the run game will make a big difference here. I’m on the Dolphins in this one and I think they win outright. 

 

Score Prediction: Dolphins 20, Steelers 17

Touchdown Prediction: Darren Waller