It’s playoff time in Pittsburgh, which means are band of contributors put their minds at work to figure out what the keys to this week’s Wild Card game, between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins, could hinge on.

Here’s a collection of those thoughts on what it will take for the Steelers to continue on their path to another Lombardi trophy.

Brian

In the end, I believe that quarterback play will determine who wins this game. We now know it’s Matt Moore, and I just don’t think Matt Moore is going to beat Ben Roethlisberger, at home, in the playoffs.

The question this season remains what it has been, which version of Ben shows up?

Do we get the version of Ben that tosses two INT’s in the second quarter of the critical Ravens game?
The Ben who throws three picks against the Bills?

Or do we get the Ben who leads 2 fourth quarter drives, including the game winning drive, completing almost everything he throws, and slicing up defenses like, ahem, sushi?

Boy I sure hope it’s that second guy!

I think it will be, and there is reason to think it will be. We are at home. That’s been Ben’s happy place most of the season. This is a big game. Ben loves big games. He excels in big games. The guy is clutch.

Joe

Getting to the quarterback will be important.

When these two teams met in Week 6, the Steelers didn’t get to Ryan Tannehill once.

On the other hand, Matt Moore has passed for 8 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions, good for a 106.5 QB rating, in his past three starts. During that period he has only been sacked once.

Enter the guys who were limited and/or missing in Week 6: Ryan Shazier, Sean Davis and Bud Dupree, and scrap that OLB rotation too. The Steelers will be bringing pressure, and a noisy Heinz Field home game should tip the cap in the Steelers favor.

But it all begins, and ends, with making sure Moore doesn’t get too comfortable out there.

Eric

A key for Sunday’s game versus the Dolphins is the Steelers rookies. Many of them will play a major role.

The Dolphins have a surprisingly solid group of wide receivers, so Artie Burns will be important for not allowing big plays or blowing coverages. With Matt Moore throwing Burns certainly may get a pick as well.

Sean Davis wasn’t starting the first time we played Miami, he will certainly help in preventing Jay Ajayi from breaking off big runs, as well as in coverage.

With Ricardo Mathews out, we will be relying on not only Javon Hargrave but Johnny Maxey to shore up the trenches.

Tyler Matakevich could even be significant on special teams since Anthony Chickillo is out.

Last but not least Demarcus Ayers, who has impressed in his limited action and has made key plays over the last 2 weeks that have helped the Steelers win.

Our rookies have impressed this year and they will play a big role versus the Dolphins.

Terry

Who will be the better coach? We know what the players can do, but what decisions will Coach Tomlin and Coach Gase make?

They have two very different quarterbacks: one with little experience, and one with 3 Super Bowl appearances and two rings.

Are we playing not to lose? Or playing to beat the crap out of a team that embarrassed us Week 6?

This is a coaches battle, and Tomlin needs to show what taking the “cheer” out of cheerleader really means.

It’s his game to win.

Zac

I’m gonna say my key to the game will be the utilization of the slot WR – for both teams. With Ladarius Green likely out, the Steelers will need others (Eli, X-man, James, AB, etc.) to get open in the middle of the field.

With Miami’s normal 2 starting safeties out, the middle of the field should be filled with opportunities to strike.

For Miami, Jarvis Landry is one of the best when it comes to manipulating the middle of the field, so I imagine Will Gay and the team of Davis/Mitchell will need to all be on their A game.

I bet this game is won between the hash marks.