PHOTOS - Eye on the Opponent: Miami Dolphins
October 24, 2010Pittsburgh 23, Miami 22Sun Life Stadium
K Jeff Reed's18-yard field goal with 2:26 left in the game sealed the 23-22 victory for the Steelers against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. With the win the Steelers improved to 5-1, including 3-0 on the road. The Dolphins fell to 3-3.
The Steelers got off to a shaky start fumbling the ball twice on their first two possessions. WR Emmanuel Sanderswas stripped on the opening kickoff and the Dolphins took over at the Steelers' 22-yard line. K Dan Carpenter connected from 39 yards out and the Dolphins led 3-0. On the Steelers' ensuing drive QB Ben Roethlisbergerfumbled as he was being sacked and the Dolphins took over at the Pittsburgh 13-yard line. Carpenter would connect from 23 yards out and the Dolphins led 6-0.
The Steelers' offense would settle down and finally got on the board early in the second quarter. Reed's 22-yard field goal cut the lead 6-3, and on the Dolphins' next drive LB James Farriorrecovered a Dolphins' fumble to set the Steelers up in Miami territory. A few plays later, Roethlisberger found WR Hines Wardfor a 21-yard touchdown to put the Steelers up 10-6. Ward finished with seven catches for a game-high 131 yards and one touchdown.
Midway through the second quarter the Steelers led 10-9 when Roethlisberger found WR Mike Wallacestreaking down the field for a 53-yard touchdown pass. The Dolphins would respond on their next drive. QB Chad Henne found WR Davone Bess for a 26-yard touchdown, and the Steelers led 17-16 at halftime.
Reed's 39-yard field goal in the third quarter put the Steelers up 20-16. But Miami kept responding. Carpenter connected from 37 yards in the third quarter and from 40 yards in the fourth quarter and the Dolphins led 22-20 with only five minutes remaining in the game. Carpenter finished with a career-high five field goals made.
Trailing 22-20, Sanders took a kickoff and returned it to the Miami 48-yard line. Roethlisberger led the Steelers' on an eight-play, 47-yard drive that ended with Reed's field goal. Roethlisberger finished the game 19-of-27 for a then season-high 302 yards and two touchdowns.
