Dolphins Steelers Odds & Lines

Written by Jimmy Boyd on October 29, 2006

Miami travels to Pittsburgh to meet the defending Super Bowl Champions and to get the 2006 NFL season underway. Ben Roethlisberger’s absence in the starting lineup from an appendix ailment, not a motorcycle crash, has made the season opener a pick ‘em game. Now it will be up to Charlie Batch to spoil Daunte Culpepper’s attempt to get his fresh start off on the right foot.

Batch started 2 of the 4 games that Roethlisberger missed last season, winning both of them despite not throwing a TD pass and not putting up impressive numbers. Culpepper’s apparent full recovery has the Miami faithful confident that their dolphin’s will make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Last season, Miami finished with 6 straight wins because of the strong 2-pronged running attack of Ricky Williams and then rookie Ronnie Brown. Culpepper should be the answer to Miami’s non-existent passing attack in 2005, and if he can’t get the job done, they’ll have another shot with former Detroit Lions starter Joey Harrington. The loss of Williams shouldn’t be a factor as increasing Brown’s carries won’t hurt the offense. Overall, the Dolphins should be much improved on the offensive side of the football.

Roethlisberger’s absence will put a lot of pressure on Batch to throw the football well as now coach Nick Saban will likely key on Pittsburgh’s rushing attack led by Willie Parker who rushed for 1,202 yards last season despite losing carries to retired future Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis. Miami will be hoping that newly acquired defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson can couple with Keith Traylor to put a damper on Pittsburgh’s high-powered rushing attack. Miami will be solid up front with Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor and with fellow Pro Bowler Zach Thomas in support.

While Miami’s defense should be solid this season, Pittsburgh returns all but 2 starters on a defensive unit which led the AFC in yards allowed last season. The Pittsburgh defense led by hard-hitting big play safety Troy Polamalu and speedy linebacker Joey Porter will once again be this team’s strong suit. This will be a huge test for Miami and Culpepper right off the bat. With Roethlisberger sidelined for another week or 2, this one looks like a defensive battle. However, I have uncovered which team has the clear edge on the defensive side of the ball in this one and we are ready to cash in big on the 2006 NFL season opener.

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