The Steelers went 85 yards on their opening drive. Ben Roethlisberger connected with Antonio Brown on a 50 yard touchdown pass.
7-0 Steelers.
After the Dolphins were forced to punt, the Steelers struck again. Below zero winds chills did not keep the Steelers from throwing the football.
Roethlisberger found Brown on another short pass across the middle and #84 out ran the Dolphins defense for a 62-yard score.
The Dolphins put together a drive and managed to get on the scoreboard with a field goal, but the first quarter ended with Miami trailing 14-3.
The Steelers racked up 219 total yards in the first quarter. The first two scoring drives were all about Roethlisberger and Brown. Le’Veon Bell carried the load leading Pittsburgh on a 83-yard-touchdown drive. He touched the ball on all 10 plays finally scoring from a yard out. 20-3 (Boswell missed the extra point)
Pittsburgh’s offense dominated the first half, but after completing his first 11 passes, Roethlsiberger threw an interception as the Steelers were looking to increase their lead.
Miami Quarterback, Matt Moore, who took a vicious hit earlier in the game tried to bring the Dolphins back. After connecting on some big passes the Dolphins took the ball inside the Steelers 10 yard line. That’s when veteran linebacker James Harrison came up with a big sack causing Moore to fumble the ball.
The Steelers took a 20-6 lead into the locker room.
Moore has been under a lot of pressure from the Steelers defense. The Dolphins got the ball to start the third quarter and Moore led his team into Pittsburgh territory. But Steelers safety Mike Mitchell hit Moore from behind forcing another fumble.
After that turnover running back Le’Veon Bell picked up right where he left off. After finishing the first half with 99 yards rushing, Bell led the Steelers on another drive that included a 26 yard run where he stiff-armed defenders.
The drive stalled inside the 10 and the Steelers settled for a field goal. 23-6.
On the next drive the Steelers defense made another big play. Ryan Shazier came up with an interception. The Dolphins defense then made a critical mistake jumping off-sides on a field goal attempt. Bell made them pay. The running back eclipsed the team rushing record for a playoff game (Franco Harris 158 yds) and found the end zone for a second time. 30-6.
The Dolphins scored their first touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but it was too late. The Steelers advance in the NFL Playoffs with a . They’ll travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs next Sunday. The two teams played in the regular season. The Steelers dominated that game winning 43-14
Here are some note worthy statistics in the Steelers win over the Dolphins:
- Ben Roethlisberger – 13-of-18 for 197 yards 2 TDs, 2 INTs
- Le’Veon Bell – 29 carries for 167 yards, 2 TDs
- Antonio Brown – 5 catches for 124 yards, 2 TDs
- James Harrison – 10 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble
- Lawrence Timmons – 14 total tackles, 2 sacks
Video: Bud Dupree hit on Matt Moore #Steelers #Dolphins pic.twitter.com/9q3GL1gbio— Steelers Depot (@Steelersdepot) January 8, 2017