When the Steelers (2-4) host the Dolphins (0-6) on "Monday Night Football" (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN), the game in Heinz Field has more of a mismatch feeling than matchup of losing teams. Pittsburgh gets fill-in starting quarterback Mason Rudolph after a bye, while Miami sticks with Ryan Fitzpatrick as the counterpart.
The Steelers have leaned more on running game and defense to win without Ben Roethlisberger, but should be more aggressive passing here to see what Rudolph has with his receivers all healthy. Fitzpatrick will make sure the Dolphins aren't afraid to go in attack mode with the team starting to have more legitimate offensive weapons around him.
Here's everything to know about betting on Dolphins vs. Steelers in Week 8, including updated odds, trends and our expert's prediction for "Monday Night Football."
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Dolphins vs. Steelers odds for 'Monday Night Football'
- Spread: Steelers by 14
- Point total: 43
- Moneyline: Dolphins -105, Steelers -105
The Steelers are well rested and are at home and have been double-digit favorites since the line opened. The Dolphins made the Bills sweat last week but still lost by 10.
Dolphins vs. Steelers all-time series
The Steelers hold a slight edge in the long-time AFC rivalry full of classic moments, 14-13. The Steelers won two years ago, 30-17, but the Dolphins won the two games before that. Overall, Pittsburgh has taken six of the past eight meetings. The last two games were both decided by two possessions.
Three trends to know
— 63 percent of bettors like the Dolphins to cover and another 67 percent like them on the moneyline.
— The Dolphins lost but covered in their past two games against the Redskins at home and the Bills on the road. The Steelers have covered in three of their past four games and pushed in the other one.
— Only 5 of the previous 18 games featuring these teams have gone above the point total. Bettors are split down the middle on the over/under.
MORE: Will the Dolphins go winless? Here are their best chances to avoid 0-16
Three things to watch
Mike Tomlin vs. Brian Flores
Tomlin is good at getting his team hard-nosed and focused in trap games but has never matched wits directly with Flores, who helped the Patriots' defense have the Steelers' number in key spots in previous games. Flores has nothing to lose with his motivational tactics, so he needs to take advantage of Tomlin and his staff coaching a little tighter and "not to lose" at times.
The Dolphins' playmakers vs. the Steelers' back seven
Pittsburgh has tended to give up a lot of big plays all over the field, and between running back Mark Walton, tight end Mike Gesicki and wide receivers Preston Williams and DeVante Parker, Miami has found some pop for Fitzpatrick. They all need to play well for the Dolphins to win.
Rudolph and good JuJu
The Steelers' passing game needs to use this game as a get-well affair, especially to get wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster going downfield to open things up everywhere else. The connection between JuJu and the second-year QB hasn't been there yet, but this is the time to let him loose in a high-target game.
Stat that matters
The Dolphins are No. 31 against the run, giving up on average 160.8 rushing yards per game. The Steelers are ranked No. 27 in rushing offense, With James Conner rested and ready for a full volume, they should really up that production after a strong game on the ground (124 yards) against the Chargers in their last victory.
Dolphins vs. Steelers prediction
Fitzpatrick has made players such as Walton, Gesicki, Williams and Parker relevant and viable again, but that's not nearly enough firepower to give the Steelers' defense fits, especially with former Dolphins defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick there to make coverage plays. Rudolph should deliver a few big pass plays off play-action early to get Pittsburgh a lead it won't relinquish and end up building upon it with the running game and defense in the second half.
Steelers 34, Dolphins 14
