Tua Tagovailoa has been cleared from the concussion protocol, so he will get the start on Sunday night. Skylar Thompson and Teddy Bridgewater are also both clear, but none of them are at 100%, so it will be interesting to see how the Dolphins’ offense runs. The hands of Jaylen Waddle have become a problem, as the star receiver keeps dropping passes. A terrific rope from Bridgewater clanked off Waddle’s hands, right into the waiting arms of Vikings safety Harrison Smith on Sunday, and that allowed the Vikings to turn a 7-3 score into a 10-3 advantage in just 18 seconds. He also fumbled the ball away after making a big catch near the Minnesota red zone, ending the potential winning drive. He did have six receptions for 129 yards, but those two gaffes took as many as 10 points off the board. Next up is a visit from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who also look for consistency at the quarterback position. Planning on including this week’s Sunday night NFL game in your online betting? Read our prediction first.
NFL Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins
(Sunday, October 23)
When: Sunday, October 23, 2022, 8:20 pm ET
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
TV: NBC
Radio: Westwood One
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Miami -7 / O/U 45.5 // Miami -345 / Pittsburgh +270
Why should you bet on the Steelers?
Pittsburgh has made the move to Kenny Pickett at quarterback, and now that he has cleared the concussion protocol, his matchup with Tagovailoa will be intriguing. Last week, the Steelers upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home, even though T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and the team’s top three cornerbacks were all on the shelf. The Steelers’ defense kept Tampa Bay from finding the end zone until the last five minutes of regulation. Then, they kept the Buccaneers from making a two-point conversion that would have tied the game. The red zone stops proved crucial for the Steeler defense.
Pittsburgh’s offense has struggled this year, ranking just 25th in passing and 28th in rushing – and 30th in scoring offense (16.2 points per game). The scoring defense is also subpar, as the team is 23rd, permitting 24.3 points per game. Pickett has thrown four interceptions so far in his young career, but he has also run for two touchdowns. Diontae Johnson has been the top receiver, with 33 catches for 295 yards, and Najee Harris has run for 264 yards and a touchdown while scoring twice more on pass catches.
Why should you put your money on the Dolphins?
Miami has lost three in a row after starting 3-0, largely in part because of the injury parade at quarterback. Tagovailoa, Bridgewater and Thompson have all had to leave with injuries, leaving the team’s offense in chaos. Against the Vikings last week, the Dolphins took an early lead with a field goal, but then they surrendered 16 unanswered points. After that, they could not get closer than six points from the lead. The three turnovers (which led to 10 points for Minnesota) were crucial in the loss.
Miami’s defense has given up 25.8 points per game, 27th in the league. The rushing game has struggled, as they rank just 30th in the league (81.2 yards per game). Raheem Mostert is the top ball carrier with 309 yards and a touchdown, but most of the offense has come through the air, as Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have combined for 80 receptions and five touchdowns. If you like Miami here, you see their offense finding holes against an injured Steeler defense.
Final Score and Prediction
Fitzpatrick, Cam Sutton, Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon should all be back on defense for Pittsburgh, and Tagovailoa may show some rust or hesitation in his first start after the extended time in the concussion protocol. Because of these reasons, this point spread seems high. I predict a final score of Miami 20, Pittsburgh 16.
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