Post-Season Revindication - Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
This is the first time the Miami Dolphins will make an appearance in the post-season since 2008, they managed do so with a new head coach and a Rookie Quarterback, but as faith would have it, Ryan Tannehill is not likely to start in Sundayís Wildcard game against the Steelers.
Inexperienced was their major problem up until Tannehill sprained his ACL back in week 14 in a game against the Cardinals; now it looks as if their post season dreams could be short lived without their starting quarterback, there is a slim possibility that Tannehill will suit up for this game, but itís unlikely.
Veteran quarterback Matt Moore is likely to be front and center for Miami on Sunday, but he has never snapped the ball in a post season either so that wonít be much help in that respect. However, having Moore heading the offense could turn out to be a good thing for the Fins, in the 3 games he has filled in for Tannehill he has thrown 8 touchdowns and he will offer a different challenge to the Steelers passing defense who must focus on a variety of targets down the field, players like DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills have been targeted multiple times by Moore. If Tannehill were to play, then Pittsburgh would know to cover Jarvis Landry heavily as he is the preferred target for the starting quarterback.
The Steelers made it into the post season as one of the hottest teams in the NFL, they have won 7 games in a row, even after resting their starters in week 17. They have scored an average of 24 points in their last 8 contests and should pose a serious threat to the Dolphins. This is not the same team Miami defeated in week 6, back then Roethlisberger was injured and the entire offense suffered because of it, but now the tables have turned and I am sure they will have no problems finding the end zone against Miami, especially playing at home.
The Dolphins are the biggest underdog in the post season thus far, as per AceSportsbook.com the Steelers are favored by 10 points in this game. With Roethlisberger in top form the Steelers passing game should present more than one challenge for the Dolphins, to add to Miamiís woes LeíVeon Bell has emerged as one of the best running back in the league and will most likely plow through the Dolphins running defense, which is amongst the worst in the league.
The one thing that could possibly keep Miami within range to cover this huge spread is running back Jay Ajayi, who attained his first of three 200-yard rush games in the game against the Steelers in week 6. If Ajayi can break through the Steelers defense then this will be a whole different ball game, but, with Ajayi being so inconsistent (he has been held to as little as 80 yards per game) this is a bet Iím not willing to take.
Bottom line
Donít be fooled by the football gambling line, Miami +10 is not a good bet at this stage, if you really canít bring yourself to bet against Miami then put them in a special teaser the more points you can get the better. Otherwise take Pittsburgh laying the points.
