Miami Dolphins prepare for frigid clash in Pittsburgh as cold-weather challenges loom
The Miami Dolphins have taken an unconventional route in their preparations for a crucial Monday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, deviating from their usual travel schedule. Instead of flying to a non-West Coast city a day before the game, the team arrived in Pittsburgh on Saturday. This strategic decision allowed them to practice at Acrisure Stadium under the conditions they will face on game day.
Preparing for the elements
With temperatures expected to hover in the high teens at kickoff, the Dolphins are gearing up for their first true cold-weather game of the season. While last week’s victory against the New York Jets came at a chillier-than-usual 41 degrees, it doesn’t quite fit the definition of a cold-weather contest, which the Dolphins now recognize as anything below 40 degrees.
Under head coach Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins have struggled in games played under such conditions, holding a winless record of 0-7 when the temperature dips to 40 degrees or lower. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa echoes this struggle, with his own record at 0-5 in similar situations. Notably, two of those losses occurred when backup quarterbacks Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley took the helm.
Beyond the cold: The quality of competition
While the elements present their own challenges, a deeper analysis reveals another factor contributing to the Dolphins’ dismal performance in cold-weather games: the caliber of their opponents. The teams they’ve faced in these frigid conditions have consistently been formidable.
Consider the following matchups:
In 2022, against the San Francisco 49ers at 38 degrees, the Dolphins lost 33-17; the 49ers ended that season with a stellar 13-4 record and made it to the NFC Championship Game.
That same year, they faced the Buffalo Bills at 29 degrees, losing 32-29; Buffalo finished the season 13-3, claiming the AFC East title.
Their playoff matchup against the Bills in 2022 saw them fall 34-31 at 27 degrees, showcasing the high stakes of postseason play against a quality opponent.
The 2023 playoff game at minus-4 degrees against the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions, resulted in a 26-7 defeat.
The following season, they lost to the Green Bay Packers at 27 degrees, with the Packers finishing at 11-6 and making the playoffs.
A 34-degree loss against the New York Jets is the sole defeat against a lesser-ranked team, but as defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver noted, the pressure of watching their playoff hopes fade as Denver surged ahead affected the team’s morale.
Before McDaniel’s tenure, Tagovailoa also struggled in cold-weather outings, suffering heavy defeats against the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans, both playoff-caliber teams.
Facing the Steelers
As the Dolphins prepare to face the Steelers, who hold a 7-6 record but rank towards the bottom of the league in both total offense and defense, they find themselves in a position where victory is not just possible—it’s expected. The game presents an opportunity for Miami to assert themselves, especially given the current form of both teams.
McDaniel’s decision to adapt their travel schedule reflects a proactive approach to overcoming the hurdles posed by the elements. It remains to be seen whether this strategy will pay off as the Dolphins strive to break their cold-weather curse and seize a crucial victory in Pittsburgh.
