The Steelers are set for a difficult primetime matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday. Here is how the return of Tua Tagovailoa will impact the game.
The Miami Dolphins have become a threatening team under the leadership of new head coach Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins are one of the most explosive teams in the league, due to their efficiency on both sides of the ball. This matchup will be quite the test for Minkah Fitzpatrick and the Steelers defense.
That explosiveness is ignited by starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is set to start after recovering from a concussion that kept him out for two weeks.
Tagovailoa has an incredible connection with his two speedy receivers, Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. Waddle and Hill are so quick on their feet that this will cause coverage issues for the Steelers defense, and Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin knows this. Here is how he responded to a question regarding his plans to cover them.
What can the Steelers do to get ready for Tyreek Hill?
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 20, 2022
DC Teryl Austin: "We could put our guys in a car, on a motorcycle. I don't know if you can get ready for that speed. And it's not just him. You got Waddle across from him. And and I mean, those guys can really run."
Tagovailoa has had some deep connections with his top targets, despite criticism and jokes about his arm strength. Not only does that pose a threat, but their yards-after-catch stats are incredible. Below, you’ll find their YAC stats compared to the Steelers’ wide receivers.
#Steelers entire team YAC: 481 yards
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) October 17, 2022
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle YAC: 487 yards
Steelers really need to stay disciplined and respect what this talented WR duo could do to them this week with the ball in their hands.
The game plan for the Steelers will be to prevent them from making big plays. Shutting Waddle and Hill down is not an option. You can only hope to contain them and prevent them from turning on the jets after making a catch.
Despite the early struggles with this Steelers team, they have a shot at slowing down this offense. With a crew of second-string players in the secondary, they were able to slow down Tampa Bay’s offense last week.
Given what the Steelers were without in their secondary yesterday, in no scenario known to mankind, on any planet, should a WR of Mike Evans’ caliber have this stat line:
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) October 17, 2022
4 TARGETS
4 receptions
42 yds
ZERO TD’s.
Minimizing the production of Mike Evans and depleting his connection with Tom Brady was an impressive feat. And that was with a group of backups playing in the secondary. It is possible with a healthy defense the Steelers could pull off the unthinkable.
No one expected a win against Tom Brady after the beatdown the Steelers received from Buffalo, but they managed to bounce back. One week later, no one is expecting a win against Miami. But if the defense plays as it did against the Buccaneers they will give themselves a shot against this talented Miami Dolphins team.