NFL Playoff Bubble Battle – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins

The Steelers and Dolphins have dwindling playoff hopes that rest on many other teams losing, but neither team is about to go in to the sunset with their tails tucked. The defending champion Steelers have won back-to-back games and will need the Texans to lose to keep their playoff hopes alive. The problem for Pittsburgh isn’t a Swiss cheese defense in Miami. They also need the Jets or Ravens to lose.

It’s a bit simpler for Miami on the playoff scenario card. They basically need to win and have the Jets, Ravens, Texans and Jaguars lose. With both teams playoff hopes dangling in a Houston-New England game where the Patriots are likely to sit their starters, their fate is officially out of their hands.

That doesn’t mean we can’t expect some hard nosed football though.

The Steelers were expecting play their final game in Miami, it’s just that they were hoping it would be Super Bowl XLIV. Instead, they’ll face the Dolphins in (probably) they’re final game of the season. Correcting the maelstrom of a 1-5-1 ATS record over 7 games and a 2-7 ATS record on the road has to be on the minds of the Steelers, who have lost betting investors by the truck loads this season.

Miami, on the flip side, has gained betting enthusiasts during a 4-2 ATS streak in their past 6 games. At home, they’re a darling home dog bet as they’ve gone 4-2 SU on their own turf as well. My worry for the Dolphins is the shoulder injury to Ricky Williams, which has slowed him down the past two weeks. The Dolphins already have another star tailback with injury problems in Ronnie Brown. The last thing they want to do is put both of their wildcat cogs on the shelf with major repairs required.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) vs. Miami Dolphins (7-8)

Sunday, January 3 rd — Land Shark Stadium, Miami — 1:00pm EST

NFL Betting Line: Pittsburgh -3 (45.5)

Big Ben Roethlisberger is the star of the Steelers, but it’s the injured Troy Polamalu that is the stud of this team. Without him, the Steelers’ secondary has simply been unable to stop big plays. It happened against the Raiders and…hell it practically happened in every game Troy has missed. Though the knee injury that’s kept him on the sidelines is improving, putting him out for a somewhat meaningless game is idiotic. The Steelers have to look to next year starting this weekend.

Of course, it’s not a worry since Chad Henne doesn’t have any reliable down field threats in his arsenal. The Dolphins are a marching football team, meaning they don’t go after the big play too often. They’ll try to band with the Steelers, but Pittsburgh’s ability to move the ball affectively on long range passes will give them the win. The rest is up to lady luck, who has been a cruel mistress to the champs this season.

Furious Free Pick: Pittsburgh -3 (UNDER)