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Are you trying to make that last minute fantasy football decision? Are you trying to decide which, if any, Miami Dolphins players you should start or sit? Then, you've come to the right place.
Ryan Tannehill
Quarterback
We're well past the panic inducing moment when you realize your top quarterback is on a bye week, and you are trying to find a replacement. However, Tannehill is coming off one of his best performances of the year, and has thrown for 300-yards in each of his last two games. He's currently 11th in yards this season and 14th in touchdowns, so he is probably among the first round of QB2 positions, or the guy sitting on your bench that could be played if the matchup is poor for your starter. Against the 11th ranked pass defense with the Steelers, and a Pittsburgh defense that does not get after opposing quarterbacks, Tannehill could have a decent day - but the weather for the game means you should not force him into your lineup unless necessary.
Lamar Miller
Running back
Miller is a hard one to predict, and he has been all year. Daniel Thomas is questionable for this game after missing last week with an ankle injury, and it appears Miller will once again be a "feature" back this week, with a few carries sprinkled to Thomas, Marcus Thigpen, or Mike Gillislee. If you have an open flex spot, or you need an RB2 due to injury, Miller could be someone to slide into the roster, facing an 18th ranked rush defense allowing 115.1 yards per game, but it's risky simply because you never know how much the Dolphins will run the ball week-to-week. With snow in the forecast, Miami may try to run the ball more this week - but no one really knows.
Mike Wallace
Wide receiver
Wallace is going to want to have a huge day against his former team. The Dolphins are likely going to try to force the ball to him early, getting him involved in the game plan, which usually ends up in a big day for the speedster. However, the Steelers are going to want to prevent their former player from having a big game against them, likely doubling him and daring the Dolphins to beat them with someone else. Personally, I have Wallace in a couple of leagues, and I am 50-50 on if I should start him this week. It's just going to come down to whom else do you have on the bench?
Brian Hartline
Wide receiver
Hartline is the Dolphins receiver I like today. With the Steelers focusing on Wallace, it could allow Hartline to have a big game. Again, I won't say you need to bench a Calvin Johnson for Hartline, but he should be in consideration for a WR2 or Flex position.
Charles Clay
Tight end
The weather today in Pittsburgh could lead to short passes, with Tannehill looking for a big target on quick passes. Clay is exactly the guy to make that happen. The Steelers have said they are going to try to stop Clay, taking away a security blanket from Tannehill, so there is some risk here. Teams are starting to game plan for Clay, which should tell you what he has been able to do this season already. He's definitely a consideration for starting tight end, especially if your other TE is in a bad match up this week.
Dolphins
Defense
The weather will likely keep this game low scoring, and the Dolphins defense likes to force turnovers. The defense realizes they have to play well to keep Miami in the playoff hunt, and their fantasy stats could benefit from that effort.
Sleeper:
If you are looking to take a high risk/high reward player to make yourself look like a genius, think about wide receiver Rishard Matthews. With the Steelers wanting to lock up Wallace and Clay this week, the Miami slot receiver could see himself the beneficiary of loose coverage. It's been a month since Matthews' insane 11-reception, 120-yards, 2-touchdown performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he could see something like that happen today, depending on how the Steelers play Wallace, Clay, and Hartline.
