Dolphins vs. Steelers 2017 live updates: Scores, highlights, and news from NFL playoffs
The Steelers beat the Dolphins and will face the Chiefs in the Divisional Round.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Final score: Steelers 30, Dolphins 12
Pittsburgh beat the Dolphins handily and will advance to the Divisional Round. As the highest-remaining seed from the Wild Card Round, the Steelers will face the Kansas City Chiefs next weekend.
Fourth quarter (8:45): Steelers 30, Dolphins 12
Jay Ajayi was injured on a 5-yard carry for Miami and left the game. It’s a left shoulder injury for Ajayi, and his return to the game is questionable.
Matt Moore then hit Damien Williams with a 4-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion attempt was no good, and the Dolphins still trail by 18.
Momentum began to swing in the Dolphins’ favor, as Ben Roethlisberger was hit as he threw, and Miami cornerback Xavien Howard picked off the pass. The Dolphins couldn’t turn that momentum into a score, and the Steelers got the win.
Third quarter (2:10): Steelers 30, Dolphins 6
The Steelers were going to attempt a field goal, but they got a fresh set of downs thanks to a hilarious encroachment penalty from the Dolphins.
Le’Veon Bell seized the opportunity, running in an 8-yard score.
With that run, Bell broke a single-game playoff rushing yards record set by Franco Harris back in 1975.
It’s brutally cold at this game, as is evidenced by the fact that a referee’s whistle actually froze.
Third quarter (6:37): Steelers 23, Dolphins 6
Pittsburgh extended its lead with a 34-yard Chris Boswell field goal. On the first Dolphins play after the Steelers’ score, Matt Moore was intercepted by Pittsburgh linebacker Ryan Shazier.
Matt Moore fumbled the ball, turning it over to the Steelers, but Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi actually forced the fumble.
Halftime: Steelers 20, Dolphins 6
Ben Roethlisberger boasted a perfect passer rating until the final minute of the first half, when safety Mike Thomas picked him off. It happened just two plays after big man Earl Mitchell blew his opportunity of snagging an interception.
The Dolphins drove down the field, but James Harrison sacked Matt Moore and forced a fumble that Stephon Tuitt recovered at the Steelers’ 13-yard line right before the half.
Second quarter (4:57): Steelers 20, Dolphins 6
Matt Moore was leveled by Bud Dupree and it almost started a fight. Backup T.J. Yates had to enter the game, but Moore came back in one play later. The Dolphins added a 47-yard field goal on the drive.
Second quarter (12:39): Steelers 20, Dolphins 3
Le’Veon Bell came to play in his postseason debut. He’s put up 96 yards on the ground so far, including a nifty 25-yard run that was initially ruled a TD but then overturned.
Bell wouldn’t be denied his first playoff touchdown, though. Two plays and a challenge later, he crossed the plane.
The Dolphins got one stop at least: Chris Boswell missed the extra point.
First quarter: Steelers 14, Dolphins 3
Heading into Sunday, Antonio Brown hadn’t scored a playoff touchdown in his career. Within the first nine minutes of the game, he had two.
First, he patiently waited for a block, which sprang him loose for a 50-yard score:
On the Steelers’ next possession, he torched the Dolphins again for 60 yards, and even had time to point to the sideline as he strolled into the end zone:
The Dolphins got on the board with Andrew Franks’ 38-yard field goal.
Before the game
At the beginning of the season, many did not expect the Miami Dolphins to clinch a playoff spot. They were coming off a 6-10 season and hired former Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase to be the new head coach.
With a 10-6 record, Miami shocked the football world this year. The Dolphins got off to a 1-4 start, but they won nine of their remaining 11 games to secure the final wild card spot in the AFC.
At 11-5, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the AFC North champions and will host the Dolphins.
Despite Miami’s bad start, quarterback Ryan Tannehill played well throughout the season. However, down the stretch in a Week 14 victory against the Arizona Cardinals, he sprained his ACL. Backup quarterback Matt Moore replaced Tannehill in that game and closed out the season.
There’s still a chance that Tannehill returns in the playoffs, but Gase said he won’t jeopardize Tannehill’s health, or future, to rush him back.
Moore played well in the last three games, but running back Jay Ajayi has been the offensive star for the Dolphins throughout the season. Ajayi will hope to repeat what he did the first time he went up against the Steelers. In Week 6, he ran for 204 yards and two touchdowns, and the Dolphins beat the Steelers 30-15.
On the other sideline, the Steelers have one of the best in the league in Le’Veon Bell. After he served his three-game suspension, he ran for 144 yards in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Steelers went 2-1 without Bell, and their offense was already potent. But he added an extra dimension to it. Bell can run between the tackles, outrun defenders, and he is a great receiving back.
The Steelers offense has been clicking on all cylinders this season. Along with Bell, Pittsburgh still has one of the best quarterbacks of all time in Ben Roethlisberger, as well as superstar receiver Antonio Brown.
When all three players are performing well, the Steelers are an offensive juggernaut. The big question for Pittsburgh is whether the defense can show up and perform well. While the Steelers finished with the No. 12-ranked defense, they struggled with defending the pass.
Miami isn’t known for its passing offense, but receivers like Kenny Stills and Jarvis Landry can wreak havoc.
The Dolphins and Steelers have two different offenses. Miami leans on the run, and Pittsburgh is lethal on the ground and in the air. Which offense will lead its team to victory in Wild Card Weekend?
Pregame Reading
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