There isn't much reason to watch Monday night's Dolphins-Steelers matchup as far as the likely result. The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) is a 16-point favorite at WagerWeb.com and should have little trouble beating the 0-10 Miami Dolphins.
However, there may be one reason to watch: Ricky Williams' likely return to the NFL.
"This is a little bit different than anything we're used to, having a guy who's been out of the league and all the stuff he's been through," Pittsburgh linebacker James Farrior said. "We look forward to seeing what he's been doing in his free time."
Williams, 30, hasn't carried the ball in an NFL game since New Year's Eve in 2005, but he is expected to be back tonight because Miami's starting running back, Jesse Chatman (who replaced original starter Ronnie Brown), limped through practice all week after injuring an ankle in last Sunday's loss at Philadelphia. (NFL injury report)
Thus, the Dolphins either turn to Williams, second-year pro Patrick Cobbs or rookie Lorenzo Booker and Williams. Cobbs has 11 NFL carries, and Booker has none. Williams, on the other hand, is a former league rushing champion who awed teammates last week with his conditioning and quickness.
When he last played, Williams gained 280 yards in his final two games in 2005, including 172 against Tennessee. Neither the Dolphins nor the Steelers are certain what Williams is capable of following so long a layoff.
'I'm not really anticipating anything,' Miami coach Cam Cameron said.
Pittsburgh's Casey Hampton isn't so sure: "If he's in shape, he's going to be good."
How good against a tough Pittsburgh defense remains to be seen. The Steelers rank third in the league against the run, allowing an average of 79.9 rushing yards. They hadn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 34 games before the Jets' Thomas Jones did it last week.
In the past 60 games, only two players, Jones and Edgerrin James, have cracked 100 yards against the Steelers.Miami will need a running game to keep this game even close. Rookie John Beck makes only his second start after going 9-for-22 for 109 yards last week against the Eagles. The Dolphins were held to 186 total yards and their only points came off rookie Ted Ginn's 87-yard punt return for a touchdown.
"I'm tired of searching for a positive. We need to win a game," said Miami guard Rex Hadnot.
Miami's defense isn't in much better shape, allowing a league-worst 154.9 rushing yards per game and an average of 27.4 points, among the NFL's worst.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is one of the league's top rushing offenses but is coming off a shocking loss to the Jets where it was held to only 112 yards.
"We've got to come out and play Steelers football," said QB Ben Roethlisberger, who was 15-of-25 for 195 yards with a touchdown and an interception. "I don't feel we did that (in New York). They were probably the more physical team. I think it showed."
The Steelers will be without injured wide receiver Santonio Holmes (sprained ankle) and safety Troy Polamalu (sprained knee). Losing Holmes takes away Roethlisberger's best deep threat; losing Polamalu will alter defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's blitz package against Miami's inexperienced Beck.
The lowdown: Miami leads the all-time series 11-10. The Steelers have won the last two meetings. ... The Steelers are 12-0 at home on Monday night since a 23-20 loss to the New York Giants in 1991. ... Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked 14 times in the last three games. ... If Pittsburgh hadn't just lost to the Jets, there's a chance Miami could cover tonight. However, you know the Steelers will play with high intensity tonight, and a 17-point win, at a minimum, shouldn't be a problem.
Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends
The Dolphins are 2-6 ATS.
The Dolphins are 1-2 ATS away.
The Dolphins are 2-5 ATS as the underdog.
The Dolphins are 1-2 ATS as an away underdog.
The Steelers are 6-4 ATS.
The Steelers are 4-1 ATS at home.
The Steelers are 6-4 ATS as the favorite.
The Steelers are 4-1 ATS as a home favorite.
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