Steelers suddenly have their backs against the wall on Monday night following a pair of big wins by AFC foes on Sunday
Monday Night Football is now a must win for the Dolphins and there is reason to believe that could hurt the Steelers.
Monday Night Football in Pittsburgh was always going to be a big one. Until the shocking T.J. Watt news on Thursday, it seemed like the Steelers had the upper hand. A game forecasted to be in the single digits in terms of real temperature, Pittsburgh clearly has the environmental advantage over a Miami Dolphins team that has never won in sub-40-degree conditions with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback.
However, with the loss of Watt, the Steelers’ record as favorites, and Sunday’s results, the Dolphins have urgency on their side on Monday night.
Dolphins playing for their season on Monday Night
The Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans both won on Sunday, which means that the next time the Dolphins lose, their season is over. Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports Miami and I broke down the keys to victory for both sides ahead of the game, and the Dolphins’ game plan was clear before Watt ever had his lung punctured.
As crazy as it may sound, the Dolphins are playing better on both sides of the ball when it comes to the trenches. The Steelers just ran for less than 40 yards against the Ravens, while allowing over 200 yards on the ground twice in as many weeks.
Now, the Dolphins head into the advantageous matchup knowing it’s win or the season is over, and with history on their side. Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season, but a little-known fact about the Steelers under Tomlin is that they are actually below .500 against the spread when favored. Pittsburgh is 99-107-3 all-time under coach Tomlin in said circumstances. The exact situation they head into as three-point favorites on Monday night.
We know the Steelers show fight when they are the ones facing the brink of elimination due to insurmountable circumstances. Right now, the Steelers hold a 54 percent chance of making the playoffs ahead of Monday night. If they win, that jumps to 61 percent. If they lose, it goes to 45 percent, but the team would hold the tiebreaker over the Ravens and still sit atop the division.
The bottom line is, Pittsburgh tends to lose these games, and the Steelers are 1-11 all-time without Watt. It will be on Tomlin and the Steelers players to reverse course and put a stranglehold on their AFC North lead.
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