Who has the edge? Dolphins (3-3) vs. Steelers (2-4), on Sunday Night Football

When the Dolphins run: The Miami run game took a step back again after its best performance of the season in Week 5 at the New York Jets. The Dolphins went for 73 yards on 20 attempts for a 3.7 average in last Sunday’ s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Myles Jack leads Pittsburgh in tackles in his first season there coming over from Jacksonville, and fellow inside...

Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins (3-3) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) match up in six key areas ahead of Sunday’s Week 7 game at Hard Rock Stadium (8:20 p.m., NBC):

When the Dolphins run: The Miami run game took a step back again after its best performance of the season in Week 5 at the New York Jets. The Dolphins went for 73 yards on 20 attempts for a 3.7 average in last Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The backfield reps continue to trend in Raheem Mostert’s favor as he led Miami again with 14 carries for 49 yards, a third consecutive game where he got a significant bulk of the workload on the ground.

The Dolphins rank 30th out of 32 teams in rushing offense (81.2 yards per game). They could stand to improve if they can get their tackles back after Terron Armstead missed most of the past two games and Austin Jackson has missed the past five. Durham Smythe’s health is also critical as a sound, in-line, blocking tight end.

The Steelers are middle of the pack in run defense, ranking 18th giving up 120.2 yards per game. Veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, is great up front. Myles Jack leads Pittsburgh in tackles (58) in his first season there coming over from Jacksonville, and fellow inside linebacker Devin Bush Jr., a Flanagan High alum, is behind him with 35 tackles. Edge: Steelers

When the Steelers run: Is it a sophomore slump for running back Najee Harris? He reached 1,200 rushing yards on a 3.9 yards-per-carry average and seven touchdowns in a Pro Bowl rookie season (while also being a receiving threat). Through six games in 2022: 83 carries for 264 yards (3.2 average) and one touchdown. He’s not running behind a particularly strong run-blocking offensive line either.

The Dolphins have been mostly stout against the run. They just seem to allow a big run to skew the stats. Against Minnesota and star tailback Dalvin Cook, it was the 53-yard touchdown scamper that sealed the Vikings’ victory, when he had just 24 yards on his 12 other carries. Nonetheless, Miami’s run defense ranks 11th in the NFL. After Christian Wilkins had the back-to-back tackles for loss last Sunday, his health will be a concern after missing Wednesday’s practice with a hand injury. Edge: Dolphins

When the Dolphins pass: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is back from concussion protocol. That is sure to provide a boost to the team, as a whole. His 109.9 passer rating leads the NFL among those who qualify. It may not be fair to link it as causation, but the Dolphins did lose the three games in which he missed two of them and most of the one before with the concussion.

Tagovailoa’s accuracy and anticipation as a passer can help get the ball to his star receiver combination of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who are first and fifth in the NFL, respectively, in receiving yards. Look for them to get yards after catch and an occasional deep shot. It was encouraging to see tight end Mike Gesicki score two touchdowns, but can Miami get him involved throughout a game and not just when mounting a comeback playing from behind? Getting Armstead and/or Jackson back would provide an enormous boost to pass protection.

The Steelers, without elite pass rusher T.J. Watt (IR, knee), rank 30th in pass defense. Former Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, a two-time All-Pro since being traded from Miami, could return from missing last Sunday’s game with a knee injury. He already has three interceptions this season with one returned for a touchdown. Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (6 1/2 sacks) has picked up the pass-rushing slack with Watt out. Edge: Dolphins

When the Steelers pass: It appears rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett will be able to make it through concussion protocol after practicing fully on Wednesday. He has thrown one touchdown to four interceptions, so this could be an opportunity in prime time for the Dolphins to record their first interception since the opening defensive series of the season.

Pickett has an impressive receiving corps to throw to between Diontae Johnson, rookie George Pickens and Chase Claypool. Tight end Pat Freiermuth could be working back from concussion, as well, and Harris is able to catch the ball out of the backfield.

The Miami secondary will be tested, especially as banged-up as it is. All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard is no longer on the injury report for his groin injuries, but Nik Needham (Achilles) is out for season. Byron Jones still has no return in sight from the PUP list. Kader Kohou is battling an oblique injury and Keion Crossen a knee ailment. Noah Igbinoghene, who held his own against the Vikings, could be counted on again. It’ll be critical for the Dolphins to get the pass rush going between Emmanuel Ogbah, who is dealing with a back injury, Jaelan Phillips and Melvin Ingram to affect the rookie Pickett. Edge: Dolphins

Special teams: Special teams blunders continued against Minnesota. Early, it was Jevon Holland muffing a punt, which had the Dolphins pull him for Hill in that role. Later, it was Jason Sanders shanking a 52-yard attempt. All his misses this season have come from 50-plus.

Punter Thomas Morstead continues to be a plus with his boots inside opponents’ 20-yard line and the coverage from gunners Justin Bethel and Crossen, before he went out.

Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell, though, has missed four field goals, three from inside 50 yards. Second-year punter Pressley Harvin III is averaging 44.9 yards on his punts. Steven Sims returns kicks and punts for the Steelers. Edge: Even

Intangibles: There’s the boost that Tagovailoa gives Miami. The celebration of the 1972 undefeated team. The best way the current Dolphins can honor that perfect team is by winning. There will be some extra motivation with former Miami coach Brian Flores, now a Pittsburgh defensive assistant, on the other side, but there is an X-factor of his familiarity with Tagovailoa — granted, it’s in a different offensive system and he never coached his former quarterback while he had a playmaker like Hill. Hard Rock Stadium should be rocking in the night-game atmosphere. Edge: Dolphins

PREDICTION: Dolphins 24, Steelers 20

()