The Steelers dropped their “Sunday Night Football” game to the Dolphins in Miami 16-10. It was an ugly performance all around, particularly in the second half.
Ten of the 13 drives in the half ended in punts and another one ended with a turnover on downs. The two drives that ended differently made the difference.
The Steelers’ inability to force turnovers — something that flies in the face of the reputation of Mike Tomlin’s defense — was a massive issue throughout the night. The Steelers dropped four interceptions, the most of any NFL defense this season. Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa ended with a 21-of-35 passing line with a touchdown and no picks.
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These weren’t “got their hands on it but would’ve been a tough play” drops, either. They were all right in the bread basket, and two of them could have prevented Dolphins scores.
The #Steelers have dropped four interceptions tonight.
Here’s a clip of three of them… and they just had another.pic.twitter.com/IBJ0EjQhkE
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 24, 2022
The Dolphins’ Jevon Holland, meanwhile, saw an opportunity and seized it. With the game clock crossing three minutes left and the Steelers at the Miami 30-yard line, the defensive captain jumped a third-and-16 pass from Kenny Pickett to Diontae Johnson and made an outstanding interception.
Jevon Holland with a potential game-changing INT late in the 4th! #FinsUp
📺: #PITvsMIA on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/vDQGJ9SfCd pic.twitter.com/HkRoK4CzXi— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2022
Then, within 30 seconds to go and the Steelers driving again toward a potential game-winning score, Pickett again looked for Johnson and threw toward the end zone but was intercepted on an outstanding grab by Noah Igbinoghene.
.@MiamiDolphins INT TO SEAL THE WIN. #FinsUp
📺: #PITvsMIA on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/vDQGJ9SfCd pic.twitter.com/81uBSUIz1c— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2022
Although the play was initially ruled incomplete, it immediately became clear Igbinoghene had gotten both feet down for the game-sealing pick.
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It was another “welcome to the NFL” moment for Pickett, who must be sick of being welcomed at this point. The rookie now has two touchdowns and seven interceptions on the season.
The Steelers (2-5) now have to play at Philadelphia next Sunday, a team with double the turnover differential of the second-best team in the NFL. The Eagles are at plus-12 while the Cowboys are second at plus-6. The Steelers are now at minus-2. They haven’t had a negative turnover differential since 2018, in which they were minus-11.
None of that bodes well for the Steelers. Although the Dolphins (4-3) also have things to figure out, they made the plays and came out with the win to snap a three-game losing streak. They will play the 1-5 Lions in Detroit next week.