Steelers Can’t Overcome Awful Start, Turnovers; Lose to Dolphins 16-10

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Steelers couldn’t overcame a horrific start to the game, as the Miami Dolphins scored 13 points on their first three drives and held on for a 16-10 victory on Sunday night.

Kenny Pickett was intercepted twice in the game’s final three minutes as the Steelers were trying to come back from the early deficit. The last one came with 18 seconds left at the goal line to seal the Miami victory.

The Dolphins surged ahead early with a Tua Tagovailoa touchdown pass to Raheem Mostert on the game’s opening drive. 

After Pickett was intercepted on the Steelers’ first drive, Tagovailoa once again led the Dolphins right down the field, but the Steelers defense held on in. the red zone to force a field goal.

That was a theme for the rest of the night, as the Dolphins got a field goal on the third possession and again before the half, but could not find the end zone again. Miami even went for it on fourth down in easy field-goal range in the second half, but the Steelers defense held, giving the offense plenty of chances to come back.

Statistically, Tagovailoa was dominant, completing 21 of 35 for 261 yards. Jaylen Waddle (four catches, 88 yards) and Tyreek Hill (seven catches, 72 yards) were nearly unstoppable. In addition to his touchdown, Mostert caught four balls for 30 yards and rushed 16 times for 79 yards. But the Steelers held in the red zone and keep the Dolphins out of the end zone.

The Steelers offense chipped away at the Miami lead with a 45-yard Chris Boswell field goal in the second quarter and Pickett found George Pickens for his first career touchdown.

The Dolphins got a third field goal from James Sanders before the half to make the lead 16-10, and neither team was able to find any scoring the rest of the way.

Pickett finished 32 of 44 for 257 yards, but the three interceptions loomed large in the outcome of the game. The Steelers defensive backs had at least four potential interceptions go off their hands, but were unable to capitalize. The Steelers got no turnovers and did not sack Tagovailoa.

Pickens was the Steelers leading receiver, with six catches for 61 yards. Najee Harris rushed 17 times for 65 yards.

The Steelers (2-5) will continue their tough stretch of games with a Week 8 date with the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday, before the team’s idle week in Week 9.