Mike McDaniel was once in hot water as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Fast forward a couple of months, and his team is enjoying a four-game winning streak. On the flip side, Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin faced calls for his job after a tough season. Yet, his team recently stunned the Baltimore Ravens, taking the top spot in the AFC North. Both coaches have eased the pressure, but how will their teams perform in the frigid Pittsburgh weather?
It’s expected to be well below freezing on Monday night, which poses challenges, especially for the Dolphins. Tua Tagovailoa’s record is concerning—he’s 0-5 in games where the kickoff temperature is under 40 degrees. However, the Dolphins haven’t solely depended on Tagovailoa; their ground game has been remarkable. Since Week 10, they have averaged 192.3 rushing yards per game, leading the league. In contrast, Pittsburgh has allowed 466 rushing yards over the last two weeks, so Miami seems poised to find success on the ground.
A key player for Miami is De’Von Achane. In just his third season, he ranks third in total rushing yards with 1,126 and leads in yards per carry at 5.8. But there are concerns—Achane left last Sunday’s game against the Jets with a rib injury. He’s motivated to play against Pittsburgh, but he’s been practicing on a limited basis.
Pittsburgh has its own injury worries. Star linebacker T.J. Watt was hospitalized recently due to a lung issue, making his status for the game uncertain. However, the Steelers just had their best passing performance of the season, and Miami’s defense against the pass has been shaky.
This game feels like a toss-up, but the Steelers might hold the edge, especially given their experience with winter conditions. Recent statistics indicate that teams accustomed to colder weather tend to perform better in such conditions, providing a solid argument for Pittsburgh.
In the world of sports, these matchups are about more than just stats; they tap into emotions and community pride. As both teams prepare, fans on social media are buzzing about potential playoff implications. A win could solidify a spot for either team, leading to an exciting end to the season.
Source link
Game Picks,Analysis,no-minute,Buffalo Bills,New England Patriots,Pittsburgh Steelers,Atlanta Falcons,Denver Broncos,Baltimore Ravens,Green Bay Packers,Chicago Bears,Jacksonville Jaguars,Detroit Lions,Cleveland Browns,Houston Texans,New York Jets,Minnesota Vikings,Washington Commanders,New York Giants,Tennessee Titans,Philadelphia Eagles,Seattle Seahawks,Los Angeles Rams,Miami Dolphins,San Francisco 49ers,Kansas City Chiefs,Cincinnati Bengals,Los Angeles Chargers,Las Vegas Raiders,Indianapolis Colts,Dallas Cowboys,New Orleans Saints,Tampa Bay Buccaneers,Carolina Panthers,Arizona Cardinals
