Predicting the winner of Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins, Week 8

It has been a while, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are finally back on the playing field after their bye in Week 7, and the wait until Monday Night Football. After the long layoff, the Steelers are hoping to improve their record to 3-4 with a win over the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field.

Will this game be a rout, as many are expecting? Or is this a trap waiting for the Steelers in the form of the win-less Dolphins? Only time will tell, but there is an excitement surrounding this 2-4 Steelers heading into Week 8 at Heinz Field.

This week I was fortunate enough to ask The Phinsider’s editor Kevin Nogle some questions, and of course I asked him what his prediction for the game was, and you can check out his response below:

A few weeks ago, I would have predicted Miami being blown out, because that is what was the norm. Now, however, they are staying in games and making it close at the end. The Bills game was really 24-21 if not for the random onside kick being returned for the final touchdown. They are playing tough and trying to win. With no Ben Roethlisberger, I will push this to Miami because I want to believe they have a win coming sometime soon. I will keep this close, say, 21-17.

To say I was stunned to see Nogle take the Dolphins, I can also respect him for thinking his team isn’t going to go 0-16 on the season, but will be able to scratch and claw their way to win one, or maybe a few, games in 2019.

The problem is, I don’t see this happening for the Dolphins on Monday night. There is just too much going for the Steelers, it would shock me if they fell flat on their faces. Some of those “things” I mentioned earlier have nothing to do with the actual outcome of the game. Things like the team wearing their Color Rush uniforms, which they are undefeated in, or playing at home on Monday Night Football, where they haven’t lost since the 1990s. Things like that.

But there are also aspects of this game which do take place on the field. Mason Rudolph is back under center after the bye week, and the team in general is healthier than they were after their Week 6 win over the Chargers.

Add all that up, and I see the Steelers winning in Week 8 by the score of 30-13. It might be close at first, but a defensive touchdown will turn the tide and Mason Rudolph will throw for over 300 yards for the first time in his NFL career.

What is your prediction for the game? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold leading up to kickoff.