Steelers vs. Dolphins: What they're saying in Miami after win

Kenny Pickett wilted under the prime-time Miami lights.

Members of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins team were honored during Sunday night’s game, celebrating 50 years of bragging rights.

After that, the Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers couldn’t muster a point in the second half.

Pickett, the rookie quarterback for the Steelers, tossed three interceptions including a heartbreaker at the very end. Final score: Miami 16-10.

Dolphins cornerback Noah Igbinoghene picked off Pickett at the goal line at the end of the game. Miami ended a three-game losing streak.

“Miami led the entire game and held on to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-10, marking the return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa from a concussion and also a stellar defensive effort featuring three interceptions,” wrote Greg Cote of the Miami Herald “Coach Mike McDaniel, asked what he thought about winning the turnover battle three-nil, said: ‘Hooray?’”

McDaniel did not seem very impressed with the win.

“For the first time this season Miami’s point total did not reflect its buoyant yardage total,” Cote wrote. “That had better be corrected; 16 points doesn’t win a lot of games in the NFL.”

“We should be scoring more points,” McDaniel said.

“Tagovailoa threw for 261 yards and a touchdown but was remarkably fortunate not to have any interceptions — as many as four that the Steelers got their hands on,” wrote Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post. “(Steelers safety) Terrell Edmunds in particular will have nightmares about the interceptions he could have had.”

Related:

• Kenny Pickett throws 2 late interceptions, Steelers can't rally in loss to Dolphins
• Airing of Grievances: After an inspiring win against Tampa Bay, Steelers return to losing ways with a thud in Miami
• Madden Monday on Steelers' defeat in Miami: 'I thought (Kenny) Pickett lost the game'

Pickett probably didn’t get much sleep either.

“The Steelers had driven to the Dolphins’ 15-yard line in the closing minutes, threatening to score a go-ahead touchdown before penalties backed them up twice,” Habib wrote. “Then came the plays of the night: Jevon Holland intercepted a Kenny Pickett pass intended for Diontae Johnson and returned it 33 yards with 2:57 left.”

Stephen Thompson SI’s FanNation website was perplexed at the Steelers’ offensive play calls. Join the club.

“In the second half, the plan completely changed. Running with (running back Najee) Harris became the priority,” he wrote. “George Pickens, the Steelers’ hottest and most dynamic pass-catcher, was targeted just twice in the second half. The run game lacked creativity and was easily stonewalled. On key third downs, Canada took the ball out of Pickett’s hands. It was bizarre and the predictability of their play sequences became apparent as the game wore on.”

Back to the dropped interceptions.

“Defensive backs are not wide receivers for a reason, but the drops the Steelers secondary committed were brutal,” Thompson wrote. “They were in perfect position frequently but couldn’t complete what’s probably the easiest part of making an interception.”

As for Pickett: “There is room for him to grow and time to do it. As long as he actually does make good on this learning opportunity and continues to refine the decision-making, you can live with the mistakes.”

What say you, Steelers Nation? Can you live with the mistakes?