What the Steelers must do to defeat the Dolphins in week 8

The Steelers can win if offensively…

Let’s be frank: the Dolphins defense is bad.

How bad? The best category they rank in is against the pass at 22nd in the NFL. This ranking is deceiving, however. Their secondary has given up a lot of big plays down the field.

For starters, the Steelers will have to continue to build momentum in the ground game. The Steelers recorded over 120 yards rushing against the Chargers; their first time eclipsing 100 yards this year on the ground.

Wearing down the Dolphins will set up the pass and get the deep ball rolling. This week, Mason Rudolph talked about being aggressive upon his return. I love it!

Pittsburgh’s offense is playing complementary football to their defense that has played at a semi-dominant level. The Steelers run game is finally rolling and now it is time for the deep ball to develop.

Then it’ll feel like the Steelers football of old. Big Ben and Terry Bradshaw loved to throw it deep–after all Bradshaw wasn’t called the Blonde Bomber for nothing.

Mason Rudolph’s strength in college was the deep ball. I get the sense all he needs is to get that confidence and execution rolling and this offense can be a steady force again. What better opportunity than to steamroll a bad team again?

Rudolph looked good against the Bengals and Ravens. He was picking up steam until he was knocked out of the game courtesy of Earl Thomas. Now is an opportunity to pick back up.

Continuing the ground game momentum and opening up the passing game will be key not only against the Dolphins but the rest of the year. It is time.