Steelers weekly mailbag: Can Pittsburgh slow down Dolphins run game?

Will the Steelers be able to slow down the Dolphins?

Hello all. Hopefully your Sunday has been joyous and featured a good bet that hit. The Steelers will play in their only Monday night game of the season to close out Week 15, so let’s dive into this rare Sunday edition of the weekly mailbag.

Q: With Wattalready ruled out, if neither Black nor Harmon suits up on Monday, what packages can Austin use to counter Miami’s running attack?NHSteelersFan

A: He can cross his fingers. If Harmon is out there, then that’s a big boost. If not, the Steelers don’t match up well with the Dolphins’ speed.

Q: What do the Steelers need to do differently to stop Miami or any other team from putting up 200+ yards on the ground, which has been too common of late?jpiv

A: Speed backs are their kryptonite. Keaton Mitchell was the Ravens’ back that hurt them the most, not Henry.

Q: So, the Miami Fish are on a 4-game winning streak. The wins were vs the Bills (division game that showed the Bills are vulnerable, but Miami usually stole one from the Brady-Cheaters* every year as well), the Commodes, the Aints and the J-E-S-T Jests. Should the Steelers and we be concerned about the Fish on Monday night in under 20-degree weather in the Burgh without TJ and maybe without Harmon?Polamolicules_Dude

A: The Dolphins aren’t good, but neither are the Steelers, so they can’t take anyone lightly.

Q: How many yards will De’Von Achane end up with on Monday Night? Looking at Miami’s roster what player would you like to have playing for the Steelers?Pittsblitz56

A: North of 100. The speed worries me.

Q: We win the division: what team do you want to see us play in the wildcard round? Personally, I want the Chargers or Bills, the two teams that embarrassed us in season that shouldn’t have been anywhere near that dominant a beat down.RenoSteelersFan

A: The Bills are the last team I’d want the Steelers to play. They’d blow out the Steelers again. I’d probably pick the Chargers out of all teams likely to have wild card spots. I want no part of the Bills or Texans.

Q: What type of defense can we realistically expect from the Steelers on Monday night? 20 points given up? Less? It looks a little scary right now.AngelVoice3

A: The Dolphins have two players who can cause any real damage. If the Steelers can shut down Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane, they’ll win. I wouldn’t expect a ton of points.

Q: Who are on the list of top QBs that are going to be in the 2026 draft now? Any looking good? Any that we could reach for? Do you really think the cold weather will only impact the Miami players? Teens are too cold to play in for anybody.steelwoman

A: The same quarterbacks we’ve talked about for a month. Mendoza, Moore, and Ty Simpson are the top three guys. Brendon Sorsby from Cincinnati might be that fourth guy who sneaks into the fourth round. I’m sure the Steelers will feel the effects of the weather, but they are far more used to it than Miami.

Q: Let’s imagine the Steelers don’t draft a QB in 2026. The free agent QB market looks…underwhelming. Who are the backup QBs that the Steelers could trade for?ProfMaffie

A: Assuming you mean what other quarterbacks they could pursue instead of actual backup quarterbacks. Realistically, they could be in the market to trade for Kyler Murray. They could also have Rodgers again if he wants to come back for one more season. There aren’t really any starting quality quarterbacks that will be free agents in 2026. I’d be shocked if they don’t draft one.

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Category: General Sports