Dolphins lose opener to Steelers

The Dolphins didn't exactly start the 2006 on a high note, losing 28-17 to the Steelers even when the Steelers were missing their starting QB. The big play of the game was Heath Miller's 87 yard touchdown catch and run to give the Steelers a 21-17 lead. Replays showed he stepped out of bounds between the 1- and 2-yard lines, but either officials didn't see coach Saban's protest flag and/or he threw it too late. The Dolphins' last hopes ended a few minutes later when Daunte Culpepper did his Jay Fiedler/AJ Feeley impression by throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

I don't know who was at fault for the Miller non-overturn, but in my mind, that play wasn't the main reason the Dolphins lost. Who's to say Pittsburgh wouldn't have scored a touchdown from the 2-yard line anyway? What I want to know is why a tight end ran through the Dolphins defense for 87 yards?? He sure made the secondary look slow.

Culpepper didn't have a good game, completing 18 of 37 passes for 262 yards with 2 interceptions. The running game wasn't any better. Ronnie Brown gained only 30 yards on 15 carries, although he scored 2 touchdowns.

It's still early in the season, but the Dolphins need to fix their defense and find a running game if they hope to play in the postseason.