Interesting Observation From Dulac's Chat Today...

[Slapstick]

Pointing out the differences from the Miami loss to now...

On Defense

Ryan Shazier was hurt and did not play

Bud Dupree was hurt and did not play

Sean Davis played zero defensive snaps vs 100% against the Ravens

Artie Burns did not start and only played 70% if the defensive snaps vs 100% against the Ravens

Javon Hargrave only played 59% of the snaps vs 84% against the Ravens

James Harrison only played 56% of the snaps splitting time with Jarvis Jones vs 99% against the Ravens

Willie Gay was the number 1 CB playing 99% of the snaps vs 60% against the Ravens

this was the first game without Cam Heyward and they had not figured the D line rotations out

On Offense

Marcus Gilbert played zero offensive snaps

Ladarius Green played zero offensive snaps

Ben Roethlisberger tore his meniscus and was a shell of himself

and this game was played in the heat in Miami

It's my thought that very little from that last game transfers to this game

[RuthlessBurgher]

Since everything seems to have reversed itself since that last matchup, let's go ahead and simply reverse the scoreboard as well. Predicting Steelers 30, Miami 15 this time.

[Starlifter]

that's why the NFL season is so compelling. How a team is playing in sept/oct means nothing. How they're playing in Dec/Jan means EVERYTHING.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Pointing out the differences from the Miami loss to now...

Some good points to encourage hope among Steelers fans.

I will point out that I disagree with a couple of his statements. First, that "heat in Miami" was a factor ... It was around 80F at kickoff, IIRC, and had been raining; don't think heat was a significant factor in that loss. Also, Ben wasn't playing well BEFORE tearing his meniscus in that game. Otherwise, Dulac raises some good points.

I think the Steelers' Offense should be able to have a big day against a depleted Dolphins' secondary. But I'm still nervous about the game. Fins have athletic O-line, very good at run-blocking ... I'm glad that Tuitt and Hargrave will be good to go, but still, the Steelers' D could be vulnerable vs. their rushing attack.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Since everything seems to have reversed itself since that last matchup, let's go ahead and simply reverse the scoreboard as well. Predicting Steelers 30, Miami 15 this time.

I like your score, but I'm going to say it will be closer. Steelers by 3.

Hope yours is right.

[feltdizz]

that's why the NFL season is so compelling. How a team is playing in sept/oct means nothing. How they're playing in Dec/Jan means EVERYTHING.

It's not how you start...

and damn near everyone I know tells me they would love to see what looked like with a healthy team in the playoffs.

[SidSmythe]

I never put much weight on regular season matchup vs post season.

The Cowboys beat a different Packer team in week 6 ... I guarantee they don't want to see theveryone Packers come playoff time.

Miami is the only game in didn't watch this season. My kid had a football game so I opted to just listen on the radio instead of catching the 2nd Q and beyond at a bar. I knew it was going to be a let down game. Ben getting hurt didn't help.

I have zero worries about Miami this weekend

[pittpete]

Yup, this team is a totally different team then when we played them.
No Tannehill and cold,cold weather.