Quarter by quarter: Dolphins vs. Steelers
The Dolphins struggled to stop the Steelers in certain aspects but not on the scoreboard. QB Ben Roethlisberger passed for 55 yards and led the team to 72 offensive yards on two drives, but while the Dolphins' defense allowed the Steelers to rack up yards, they didn't rack up points. LB Joey Porter's interception and CB Will Allen's forced fumble, eventually recovered by Roethlisberger, killed both scoring chances.
RICKY'S RETURN
In his first carry in 22 months, running back Ricky Williams produced, gaining 5 yards and a first down. His other two carries in the quarter amounted to 1 combined yard.
SECOND QUARTER
BECK TO Ted Ginn Jr.
Dolphins QB John Beck seems to think he has good chemistry with fellow rookie Ted Ginn Jr. Beck found Ted Ginn Jr. twice before finding anyone else, for a total of 20 yards, the second straight week that the passing game focused on Beck and Ted Ginn Jr..
WILLIAMS STRUGGLES
Despite two holding penalties on one play by the Dolphins' offensive line, Williams' fifth carry in two years produced his first fumble. One play later Williams left the field for good with a shoulder injury.
BOTH DEFENSES HOLD UP
Led by Porter, the emotional ex-Steeler, the Dolphins' defense showed grit against a normally functional Steelers offense. The Dolphins held the Steelers' rushing attack, led by Willie Parker, to just 3 yards per carry. But the Steelers' defense held the Dolphins to 71 total yards.
THIRD QUARTER
BECK BETTER
The accuracy that Beck showed in college at BYU showed itself for maybe the first time on the pro level during the first drive of the half. He completed his first three passes, including a 15-yarder to Ted Ginn Jr., and also completed four of five attempts. The drive ended when Beck was sacked.
RUNNING BACK WOES
With just 39 rushing yards in the game, the Dolphins' running back situation became short on players to go along with being ineffective when Jesse Chatman left the field with a neck injury, leaving just Patrick Cobbs to carry the load.
FOURTH QUARTER
OFFENSE STRUGGLEs
For the second time in 20 years and the first time in nine years, two NFL teams entered the fourth quarter with no points. Beck did his best early in the quarter to account for some offense, but After Jay Feely's missed field goal was called back because of a penalty, Beck was sacked on fourth down.
AT LAST, POINTS
After a false-start penalty made Brandon Fields' punt from the back of the Dolphins' own end zone, the Steelers found themselves inside Dolphins territory. The short drive ended with the only points of the night, a Jeff Reed field goal.
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