The Dolphins will travel to Pittsburgh for a Monday night matchup against the Steelers with at least 150 rushing yards in four consecutive games. The forecast calls for below-freezing temperatures, creating conditions that could place added importance on physical play and ball control. Pittsburgh has won 22 consecutive home games on Monday Night Football, according to the Dolphins source.
Head coach Mike McDaniel said the Dolphins must earn a victory against the Steelers. He credited the players and coaches for the work behind the team’s recent rushing production. McDaniel also emphasized the value of controlling possession without risking a takeaway.
Running game fits the conditions
The Dolphins have reached at least 150 rushing yards in four consecutive games. McDaniel said that consistency has come from talented players buying into the team’s approach and working deliberately in practice. He described the running game as a product of sustained coaching and individual effort.
“The bottom line is if you can run the ball and control the game by possessing the ball and not risking a takeaway, you’d do it week-in, week-out. It’s never a finished product but what you’re seeing is talented guys that have really bought in and have gotten really good at what we’re asking them to do. I think what you’re seeing is an accumulation of so many deliberate hours. You don’t just all of a sudden wake up and want to. This is something that guys have worked tirelessly from coaching it to individual,” McDaniel said.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said an effective running game can affect a defense before the third quarter. He cited inside zone, outside zone, counter and duo concepts as examples of the Dolphins’ run concepts. He also said a strong rushing attack can create opportunities for keepers and play action.
“I think when you can run the ball at will, you can kind of feel that a little earlier than just the third quarter. I think for a defense when an offense can just run inside zone, outside zone, counter, duo and it’s at will, I think that’s demoralizing for defensive players. Outside of that, I think it opens up a lot of the games where we can run keepers, where we can run play action and whatnot off of those,” Tagovailoa said.
Offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea said the rushing production involves all 11 offensive players rather than only the offensive line. He also credited the team’s leaders and coaches for maintaining the standard the Dolphins want to put on the field. Savaiinaea said the offensive line has embraced that expectation.
“That’s our dream, that’s our goal every Sundays, every Mondays. It happens during the week when we practice, and that includes all 11 guys on the offense. It’s not just us five but at the same time, it comes from our leaders, leaders in the offensive room. They’re always pushing us, the coaches as well, they’re always pushing us and making sure that our standard is being presented on the field. Us o-line, we love hearing that, so we’ve got to keep going,” Savaiinaea said.
Defense emphasizes assignment football
The Dolphins also are focused on technically sound and fundamentally sound defense. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said the team is not relying on one or two players to make a large number of splash plays. Instead, he said the Dolphins are emphasizing correct positioning and execution across all 11 players on the field.
“I think just playing all-around high-level football. I don’t think we’re relying on one or two guys to make a whole bunch of splash plays. What we are relying on is playing technically sound, fundamentally sound football across all 11 guys out there on the field. Over the last month and a half, we’ve really been stressing just doing your job, being in the right position and the plays will come,” Fitzpatrick said.
Linebacker Tyrel Dodson said the defense must execute together regardless of the play call. He pointed to the need for players to make the plays in front of them rather than search for a perfect call. Dodson said the group has continued to work and make the plays expected of it.
“I think the coaches are doing a great job. It’s not necessarily about the plays or information; it’s about us executing and playing as one. I think we’re playing as one more. There’s no perfect call. You call Cover 2, Cover 3, you’ve still got to go out there and play. There’s no perfect call. The guys, we’re coming to work and we’re making plays that we’re supposed to be making,” Dodson said.
Chop Robinson welcomes Pittsburgh opportunity
Outside linebacker Chop Robinson said he is excited to play in Pittsburgh because it is close to home and close to where he played college football. He described the matchup as another opportunity for the Dolphins to showcase who they are. Robinson also acknowledged the history associated with Pittsburgh’s stadium.
“I’m excited. It’s close to home, close to where I played college football so it’s just another opportunity for us to go out there and showcase who we’ve been and just take it one game at a time. I’m excited to be especially at Pittsburgh’s stadium, I know there’s a lot of history and everything like that so I’m excited to be out there,” Robinson said.
McDaniel said the Dolphins must put together a strong work week before facing the Steelers. He said games against Pittsburgh require the Dolphins to earn a win rather than expect one to be handed to them. The Monday night matchup will also test the Dolphins’ ability to continue running the ball and executing defensively in below-freezing temperatures.
“We’re going to have to put a good work week together to go battle that team to try to get in the victory column, I know that for sure. I’ve played them multiple times and it’s always been that same story; you have to go earn a win, it will not be handed to you,” McDaniel said.
FSB Take
The Dolphins enter Pittsburgh with a defined approach: run the ball, control possession and execute assignments on defense. Their four-game streak of at least 150 rushing yards supports that plan, while Pittsburgh’s 22-game home winning streak on Monday Night Football underscores the challenge. The matchup will show whether the Dolphins can sustain their rushing production and defensive discipline in the cold.
Source: Original report