Steelers vs Dolphins Betting Odds: Concussion, the Sequel

Then 2015, Will Smith’s film Concussion released both to widespread acclaim and criticism. It still brought awareness to the issue of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) and head injuries to the NFL. We saw it happen in a horrific scene with the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa, who returns for this Week 7’s Sunday Night Football. On the other end is the Steelers’ Kenny Pickett, who is also concussed but still slated to start. The Steelers vs Dolphins betting odds remain indifferent to these facts as Miami is favored significantly.

 

Banged-Up Pickett Could Still Start

Grit and toughness are championed in the NFL. That’s why players like Pickett suit up and play despite injuries. Pickett, Pittsburgh’s rookie quarterback, left the last game thanks to a concussion. But according to his head coach, Mike Tomlin, “he will play if he’s cleared to play.”

We’ve heard that before. Tagovailoa was infamously “cleared” to return in a short week against the Bengals after getting hurt against Buffalo just four days prior. Tagovailoa got hit, suffered more injuries, and the Miami Dolphins have gone on a three-game slide since.

As for the Steelers, Mitchell Trubisky replaced Pickett who then led Pittsburgh to upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But Pickett is the team’s starter and will be a full participant in the team practices leading up to Sunday night. Pickett has thrown for 514 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions. In his first full game as a starter, the Bills sacked him thrice and hit him a total of eight times.

Pittsburgh’s offensive line has improved a little this season but it remains one of the lowest-graded units per Pro Football Focus. The group’s subpar play is also why Pittsburgh has struggled to run the ball ranking 28th in both rushing yards and yards per attempt.

The defense, which has been this franchise’s bread-and-butter, is also pedestrian this season: 23rd in scoring and 29th in yards. The team has several stars like T.J. Watt (pectoral) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) on the Week 7 NFL injury report. The betting lines constantly line Pittsburgh Steelers as an underdog thanks to both the defense and offensive line

Hence, asking a concussed QB to lead the team to victory with what he has to work with borders on inhumane. The Steelers vs Dolphins betting odds would be wider had Miami’s quarterback been healthier.

 

Tagovailoa Looks to Rejuvenate Dolphins

Who are we to play doctor in the NFL? Tagovailoa is “good” to go. God knows, the Dolphins are desperate to win a game as the team has gone 0-3 since Tagovailoa left against the Cincinnati Bengals. In the team’s three games with Tagovailoa, it averaged 27.7 points. It then scored 16 points on average in the next three without him. The Steelers vs Dolphins betting odds brace for the former.

“He’s a captain. He’s a captain for a reason, and as I’ve told you guys from the onset, I think he’s a very, very good player at that position,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said on Tagovailoa’s return. “So very good players, they definitely give people a boost – not because of what other people aren’t but more just because he is who he is. So he’s a strong fabric of this team, and that’s exciting when you get to go play with one of your brothers, which is why the team will be excited, and it will be exciting.”

Tagovailoa is presently heading towards a career season in his third year. He is averaging career-highs in completion rate (69.9 percent), touchdown rate (seven percent), adjusted yards-per-attempt (9.2), and passer rating (109.9). The Dolphins upset both Buffalo and the Baltimore Ravens while he was calling the shots.

With his elite receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins looked like their 1984 version when Dan Marino slung the rock to Mark Clayton and Mark Duper. However, the defense will need to improve its 27th ranking on scoring defense.

This team rolled before Tagovailoa got hurt. It won 11 of 12 games. Miami has still been prolific at home with an 8-1 record in its last nine games on the moneyline. If Tagovailoa can pick up where he left of, the Dolphins should roll and be productive both on the field and the NFL point spreads.

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