Jan 5, 2017 5 min read

The next two weeks should be interesting for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

They host the Miami Dolphins Sunday in an AFC Wild Card playoff game that could definitely be considered a revenge game for the Steelers, who lost, 30-15, to Miami back in October on the road.

If the Steelers get past this game, they’ll have the tables turned on them. They’ll travel to Kansas City in the Divisional Round for a rematch with Kansas City, a team that lost in Pittsburgh, 43-14, earlier this season in a game that wasn’t that close.

So if you believe in the revenge factor – and it is real – then it also has to make you a little nervous, as well.

But there are bigger factors that might play well for the Steelers against the Dolphins, including the weather.

Miami is, well, quite a bit warmer than Pittsburgh in January.

The temperature at Heinz Field is expected to be in the 20s, quite a difference from the 80-degree weather the Dolphins enjoyed in Miami this week.

It could be a big psychological advantage for the Steelers, who have seemingly played each game this season in some kind of inclement weather.

This also is not a playoff-tested Miami team. In fact, this is Miami’s first playoff appearance since 2008. The Dolphins haven’t won a postseason game since 2000, the third-longest drought in the NFL behind only Buffalo and Cleveland.

Just a handful of Dolphins have appeared in the postseason and only one of those, long snapper Johyn Denney, has done so with Miami.

Both of those things could make a big difference in this game, especially if the Steelers can get out to an early lead.

For a team that isn’t accustomed to playing in cold weather and doesn’t have a lot of playoff experience, there could be some satisfaction with simply getting into the postseason, especially if the going gets tough.

The Steelers can do some things to make sure the Dolphins feel that way. They need to score early and quickly against the Dolphins and make Miami feel like it’s going to need to score 30 again if it is going to have a chance to win.

And given how Ben Roethlisberger has played at home this season, that’s certainly possible.

In six starts at Heinz Field, Roethlisberger’s passer rating was 116.7. He threw 20 touchdown passes.

The Steelers need to let Roethlisberger spread out a banged-up Miami defense – one that allowed more yards than every NFL team except Cleveland and San Francisco – and run the no-huddle.

And no, that doesn’t mean that they abandon running back Le’Veon Bell. It means the Steelers attack and continue to attack until the game is well in hand.

Miami’s offense just isn’t dynamic enough to keep up unless the Steelers allow the Dolphins to stick around and gain some confidence.

Going on immediate attack also could force the Dolphins to abandon their run game, something that hurt the Steelers in Miami when Jay Ajayi rushed for 204 yards and two scores.

Because Roethlisberger got hurt in that game, the Steelers’ offense went through a lull after taking an 8-0 lead, allowing Miami to keep pounding away with the 225-pound Ajayi.

The Steelers have to avoid that this time.

They also can’t afford to make any big mistakes in the kicking game, where the Dolphins have a pair of returns for scores this season.

The Steelers are 9 1/2-point favorites in this game and though that’s a big number, I think Pittsburgh covers it at home.

Take the Steelers, 31-16.

Oakland (plus 3) at Houston

Has there ever been a worse playoff matchup of quarterbacks than what’s going to take place in Houston? Probably not. At least the Raiders are playing backups. The Texans paid $72 million over four seasons to get 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions out of Brock Osweiller. Houston’s defense wins this one.

Take Houston, 16-10

Detroit (plus 8)

at Seattle

The Lions have been new cardiac kids with eight fourth-quarter comebacks. The Seahawks will have some issues with Detroit’s pass rush thanks to a ridiculously bad offensive line, but Seattle’s defense and the home crowd should make the difference in this one.

Take Seattle, 26-17

N.Y. Giants (plus 4 1/2)

at Green Bay

Eli Manning is pretty easy to read in the playoffs. This is his sixth postseason trip in 13 seasons and he has an 8-3 record, including 5-1 on the road. He either leads the Giants to a Super Bowl win – over New England – or the Giants lose their first game. There’s been nothing else. But Aaron Rodgers has been on fire in the second half. Go with the hot hand, though it could be close.

Take the Giants to cover in a 27-24 loss

Last Week: 10-6 ATS; 11-5 Straight up

Overall: 120-110-5 ATS;

144-89-2 Straight up