Steelers @ Dolphins
Final Score: Dolphins 16, Steelers 10
Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)
It wasn’t the highest-scoring primetime game, but boy was it still fun to watch. The Steelers’ offense is clearly still finding itself while the Dolphins’ offense looked back to normal after dropping the last three games. First-year quarterback Kenny Pickett looked fantastic at times, but the growing pains come with some costly mistakes – one of which sealed a Dolphins win with 25 seconds left to play.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Kenny Pickett: 32/44, 257 Yards, TD, 3 INT, 2 Sacks | 3 Carries, 20 Yards
I’ll be honest, Kenny Pickett has looked better than I anticipated so far. He still makes some rookie mistakes, such as holding onto the ball too long or seeing his receiver just a moment too late. The Steelers are doing a great job of helping Pickett develop with their playcalling, as he looks comfortable in the pocket most of the time, as evident by a 13-play 86-yard scoring drive capped off by a dime to George Pickens… you’ll see that one later. If you take away a couple of bad decisions, this game easily could’ve been a win for the Steelers. Pickett looked good in his drop backs, and can also do stuff like this when that pocket breaks down:
Kenny Quickett 💨 @kennypickett10
📺 #PITvsMIA on NBC pic.twitter.com/gfAmoEgnna
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 24, 2022
Running Back
Najee Harris: 17 Carries, 65 Yards | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 15 Yards
Jaylen Warren: 2 Carries, 7 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards
With 25 touches designed for this group, you’d love to see more production. Jaylen Warren caught a few dump-offs but was otherwise held quiet as Najee’s backup. Najee Harris ran hard all game, but as mentioned previously, the Steelers’ offensive line is not the run-blocking juggernaut they once were. Najee is going to be involved throughout the game every week, but until the passing game becomes more threatening, the ceiling for him might be lower than we like. Get him the ball in the open field and let him work:
🌪 @ohthatsNajee22 🌪
📺 #PITvsMIA on NBC pic.twitter.com/iadQihHYGI
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 24, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Pat Freiermuth: 9 Targets, 8 Receptions, 75 Yards
George Pickens: 6 Targets, 6 Receptions, 61 Yards, TD
Diontae Johnson: 10 Targets, 5 Receptions, 42 Yards | 1 Carry, 3 Yards
Chase Claypool: 8 Targets, 5 Receptions, 41 Yards
Connor Heyward: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Zach Gentry: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions
Pat Freiermuth brought in eight of his nine targets for 75 yards while being the safety valve for Pickett on the day, a lot of his damage being done between the 20’s. In a league with a decimated tight end position, this type of production is going to welcome every week, especially once the touchdowns start coming. As long as Pat isn’t game-scripted out, this should become more common. Zach Gentry and Connor Heyward both contributed by bringing in all three of their combined targets, which isn’t super relevant outside of the potential of those targets funneling to Freiermuth. Diontae Johnson ultimately lead the team in targets with 10, but only brought in half. It’s something to note that two of the interceptions thrown by Pickett were targets meant for Diontae – take that how you will. Chase Claypool was third on the team in targets with eight, bringing in five of them for a rather quiet 41 yards. George Pickens continues to make absolutely disgusting sideline catches – this one for a score on a dime from Pickett towards the end of the first half:
sheeeeeeesh 🔥
📺 #PITvsMIA on NBC pic.twitter.com/pWCGaG6V5z
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 24, 2022
He’s a bad man.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa: 21/35, 261 Yards, TD | 4 Carries, 15 Yards
In his first game back after missing three weeks due to a concussion, Tua Tagovailoa looked like he hadn’t missed much time at all. Tua mentioned he would change his play style by trying to avoid holding the ball and taking sacks in order to protect himself and his future. It did not look like those precautions cost him much production. The Steelers have a stout defense, but Tua took what they gave him all game while he left his defense win the game for him. It wasn’t the best fantasy day, but it was an excellent professional football day for Tua. Of the five players who caught a pass from Tua, each had a long of over 18+ yards. This offense is scary good.
.@Tua and @cheetah are automatic on 3rd down.
📺: #PITvsMIA on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/vDQGJ9SfCd pic.twitter.com/DhyvF65Qpj— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2022
Running Back
Raheem Mostert: 16 Carries, 79 Yards | 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 30 Yards, TD
Chase Edmonds: 7 Carries, 17 Yards | 2 Targets
After getting the bag in the offseason, it seems that Chase Edmonds has become an afterthought in this offense, even more so after getting his only meaningful snap stuffed on the goal line. He will continue to get touches each week, but this backfield split is leaning far away from Chase as of now. Raheem Mostert put up over 100 scrimmage yards and a score after a dud last week. The Dolphins utilized Mostert in the run game throughout the match, but they also designed passing plays to get him the ball in the open field. If this is a trend that continues, the former track star might be primed for an excellent 2022 season as part of this high-powered offense.
Not easy trying to take down @RMos_8Ball 😳
📺: #PITvsMIA on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/vDQGJ9SfCd pic.twitter.com/vJI7ftWlOy— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jaylen Waddle: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 88 Yards
Tyreek Hill: 13 Targets, 7 Receptions, 72 Yards
Trent Sherfield: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 44 Yards
Mike Gesicki: 7 Targets, 3 Receptions, 27 Yards
With the only passing score going to a running back, the ceiling for this group was a lot lower than what we have seen in the past. The Steelers’ defense is tough to blow out, so the Dolphins just took what was given all game as their defense carried the load. Tyreek Hill was peppered with targets all game with 13, bringing in seven of those for 72 yards. The Steelers looked like they did not want to get beat by a deep ball and did whatever they could to not let Tyreek get behind them. It worked, sort of. Trent Sherfield got involved by bringing in all three of his targets, one of which was a huge 32-yard gain. Mike Gesicki was targeted seven times, but only managed to bring in three of them as he was smothered all game. Jaylen Waddle was the most effective pass catcher for the Dolphins, averaging 22 yards a catch but like the rest of his colleagues held without a score. Much like Tyreek, the Steelers didn’t want to get beat by Waddle. Even when Tua overthrew Waddle, Waddle let me know that penguins can fly:
Air Waddle! 🐧 @D1__JW
📺: Watch #PITvsMIA on @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/uJnHjfeZGn
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 24, 2022
Thank you and good luck next week!!