Pittsburgh hosts the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. Here are three Steelers who could have a breakout performance this week.
Following the bye, the Steelers play host to perhaps the worst team in football: The Miami Dolphins. Experts and Vegas odds-makers both have Pittsburgh as heavy favorites heading into the Monday night contest.
The bye week is a time for new beginnings and a fresh start. Here are three Steelers who could break out this week against the Miami Dolphins:
James Washington
We have seen flashes of the player we think Washington could be, but he has yet to put it all together. The former 2nd round draft choice from Oklahoma was impressive in each of his first two NFL seasons, but now it’s time to show that his play can transition to the big stage.
James Washington will have favorable matchups against rookie cornerbacks Ken Webster, and Jomal Wiltz. He should be able to exploit these matchups down the field.
Ola Andeniyi
Ola is not guaranteed to see the field often, as his snaps will be contingent upon T.J. Watt’s availability for this game. Regardless, with fellow edge defender Anthony Chickillo on the commissioner’s exempt list, Adeniyi stands to see an increased workload.
If he is deployed often, he could be going up against a pair of offensive tackles who have not fared well at this season in J’Marcus Webb and Jesse Davis. This could be his time to finally shine in a regular-season game.
Isaiah Buggs
Here’s a player we haven’t heard much of since the preseason, but that could change after this week. Isaiah Buggs was a 6th round draft choice this past April who could see his first NFL action this week.
Buggs was a healthy scratch against the Chargers before the bye week, but with Stephon Tuitt now on IR, the Alabama product could hear his number called on Sunday. Veteran Tyson Alualu stands to be the biggest beneficiary of Tuitt’s absence, but Buggs may have a chance to make his presence felt against a weak offensive line.
It’s hard to know exactly how the Steelers plan to deploy these three players, but if given the chance, they all present favorable matchups this week. Perhaps one of them could have a break out performance we have been waiting to see.