Our panel of writers came together to preview this week’s Dolphins game, by each finding a single battle they felt would be the “key to the game” for the Steelers to emerge victorious.

Here are those results:

Brian

The key to this game is going to be the O-line.

They were awesome last week against a really good D-line, but the Dolphins D-line is different: Jets had power, but no speed.

Dolphins have both: Suh in the middle provides a LOT of power, while Cameron Wake and Mario Williams have speed on the edges. Hubbard and Villanueva are going to have their hands full with those guys, and they have to be on their games.

Bell should be open over the middle all day long, because the Dolphins linebackers are not as good as the Jets, and the Jets had no one who could cover Bell.  The Dolphins don’t either. Short passes, with running room are going to be there and will help the O-line with the rush.

The other big thing is how our secondary holds up against the best group of receivers that they have faced all season.  The Dolphins don’t have anyone as good as A.J. Green, but overall their group is better than the Bengals in my opinion, and nobody else we’ve played even comes close.

If Tannehill has “one of those games’ and is on, this could be a shootout.

The good news is I don’t think that the Dolphins can stop our offense.

Look for Ben to go crazy if it turns into a shoot out, and possibly put up historic numbers

Terry

The key to the game is to be on full attack mode against the Dolphins’ 28th ranked defense in yards allowed (per PFT).

Miami will be without CB Xavien Howard. With Le’Veon Bell performing at an elite level, not only as the star RB, but as a receiving weapon, and then with AB, Coates, Rogers, and DHB, Miami doesn’t have a chance to stop them. Add in our TE’s James, Grimble and Johnson and the weapons on offense for Big Ben are endless.

Did I mention DeAngelo Williams could see field time?

This offense will get it done.

The only thing needed from the Steelers Defense?

Be efficient on 3rd down and get off the field.

I don’t see a hurricane on the horizon for weather, but the Forecast for Sunday is 82 degrees, scattered thundershowers 50% chance of rain. Well we all know how Big Ben plays in the rain; like a backyard pickup game a 13-year-old can’t wait to win.

Prediction: Steelers 42-6 over the Dolphins

Joe

The Steelers need to stick to the run. I had recently written a response to Chris Simms (progeny of Phil) about his downplay of the Steelers offense. Chris had mentioned the Steelers rely too much on a “boom or bust” passing offense, insinuating Pittsburgh is only a big play team.

That couldn’t be further from the truth, as the Steelers maintain a 4:5 run/pass ratio, if you remove the Philadelphia game from those stats (where Pittsburgh played from behind and abandoned the run.)

Miami gave up 235 rushing yards to Tennessee a week earlier; and 30 points. They were miserable in every way imaginable, and the Titans run the former Steelers 3-4, with Dick Lebeau at the helm… and with former Steelers backups Sean Spence, Al Woods, Antwon Blake and Brice McCain in their rotation!

This doesn’t bode well for the ‘Fins this weekend, because even a banged-up Pittsburgh defense should be able to attack Ryan Tannehill, who has been sacked 17 times this season.

Worse: the Dolphins have a lone sack in their last two games (even with the star defenders Brian mentioned above).

I can definitely see Killer B’s having a big day.

Zac

Anthony Chickillo gets his first start, in his home town. He has the perfect opportunity to perform, and even keep the starting gig, based on the number of times Tannehill has been sacked.

Miami’s offensive line is atrocious: and that’s without two injuries to key players.

I can’t see Miami doing much on offense, unless we defeat ourselves.