Miami Dolphins predictions: How are experts picking Week 7 game vs. Pittsburgh Steelers?
Tua Tagovailoa is expected to be back as quarterback Sunday night. Will that be enough to get the Miami Dolphins (3-3) back in the win column against the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Tagovailoa was knocked out of the Bengals game Sept. 29 with a scary head injury, four days after briefly leaving the game against the Bills with what the team called a back injury. Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson have alternated at QB since then, though neither has played a complete game with injuries of their own.
The Steelers (2-4) also have QB injury concerns. Rookie Kenny Pickett had to leave his second career start last week against the Buccaneers with a concussion. Pickett was cleared to play Sunday night. Mitch Trubisky will be the backup for the struggling Steelers.
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So who will win on Sunday Night Football? NFL reporters and analysts weigh in with their picks:
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Dolphins 27-24
The Steelers will likely need to go back to Mitchell Trubisky at QB with rookie Kenny Pickett concussed. The Dolphins will be going with either Tua Tagovailoa or Teddy Bridgewater. They will use the great matchups for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle against an injury-riddled Pittsburgh pass defense to move the ball well. The Steelers can counter with more pop with Najee Harris and the running game, set up good opportunities with their talented wide receivers vs. a thin secondary.
Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report: Steelers
Apparently, the expectation is that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will fix all that ails Miami, and the belief is that Pittsburgh's upset of the Buccaneers was a fluke. But issues at quarterback aren't the only reason the Dolphins have lost three straight games, and Pittsburgh finally appeared to find some offensive rhythm last week against a Tampa defense that's a fair bit better than Miami’s unit.
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This isn't to say that the Steelers are going to win outright. But the whole "Mike Tomlin has zero losing seasons" thing exists because his Steelers do … not … fold. Pittsburgh will at least keep this one close — and close is all it will take.
Will Brinson, CBS Sports: Dolphins 24-16
Tua Tagovailoa is expected to be returning for this game. Mike Tomlin in prime time isn't something I want to fade, but Tua is first in the NFL in YPA and the Steelers are just south of average in terms of defensive pass DVOA. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are explosive plays waiting to happen and could have a field day against a Steelers secondary battling injury the last few weeks.
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Steelers 20-17
The Steelers have a habit of surprising people, and they’ll want to win this one for former Miami coach Brian Flores.
Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Steelers 17-16
Mike Tomlin said the victory against Tampa Bay helped to wash some of the stench from the Steelers’ 1-4 start. But to be able to take the next step and add some deodorant, they have to withstand the return of Tua Tagovailoa and extend the Dolphins’ losing streak to four games.
Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com: Dolphins 24-22
Tua Tagovailoa is back, but will Terron Armstead return? The drop-off at left tackle for the Dolphins has been far more severe than at quarterback, with Greg Little and Brandon Shell allowing 16 pressures the last two weeks despite quick throws. I want to know about the Dolphins’ tackles before picking this game, and I’m curious if Kenny Pickett will start. Miami’s blitz packages aren’t hitting like they were a year ago, but it’s still a lot for a rookie to deal with. Either way, every Steelers game except the Bills blowout has bascially come down to the final possession, so they should keep it close.
Bill Bender, Sporting News: Dolphins 27-17
That is a substantial line for what should be Tua Tagovailoa's return for the Dolphins after missing the last two games. Miami's defense has allowed 30.3 points per game through a three-game losing streak. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, likely will turn back to Mitchell Trubisky if Kenny Pickett, who suffered a concussion in Week 6, cannot go.
Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk: Dolphins 30-20
With Tua Tagovailoa coming back, I expect the Dolphins to turn things around and end their three-game losing streak.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Dolphins 28-25
This will be the return of Tua Tagovailoa for the Dolphins at quarterback. The Steelers will likely have Mitch Trubisky back starting in place of the injured Kenny Pickett, although there is a chance Pickett can play if he responds in the concussion protocol. The Steelers played good defense last week, while the Dolphins have not been good on that side of the ball this season. Look for the Steelers to keep this one close, but the Dolphins will win it.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins vs. Steelers predictions: NFL experts pick NFL Week 7 game
