Game story
In Week 1 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-09-07, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Miami Dolphins, pulling away with a 28–17 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Culpepper (Miami Dolphins) paced the passing game, with -10.15 total EPA, and -9.4% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, C. Batch (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.63 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+34.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (6:25) 16-C.Batch pass deep right to 83-H.Miller for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Ball caught at the PIT 32
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Batch · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +16.63 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
- 2 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +8.09 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.62 EPA/play
- 3 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +7.79 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.60 EPA/play
- 4 M. Booker · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.48 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.83 EPA/play
- 5 C. Chambers · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.26 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
- 6 W. Welker · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +4.66 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
- 7 N. Washington · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.50 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.25 EPA/play
- 8 J. Peelle · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.68 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.68 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Batch — PIT · Passing
C. Batch posted the highest total EPA (+16.63) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 33 counted snaps, they averaged +0.50 EPA per play.
The signature play (-8.30 EPA) came from Miami Dolphins: (3:09) (Shotgun) 8-D.Culpepper pass short middle intended for 83-W.Welker INTERCEPTED by 55-J.Porter at MIA 42. 55-J.Porter for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — N. Washington (C. Batch pass)
- Miami Dolphins — R. Brown
- Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (C. Batch pass)
- Miami Dolphins — R. Brown
- Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Miller (C. Batch pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Porter
Field goals
- Miami Dolphins — O. Mare
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–10. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIA 27 (Q2 44:21) — (14:21) (Shotgun) 16-C.Batch pass deep right to 85-N.Washington for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 44:14) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the PIT 2 (Q2 35:18) — (5:18) 23-R.Brown up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 35:14) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIA 7 (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) 16-C.Batch pass short middle to 86-H.Ward for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 31:49) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the PIT 8 (Q2 30:36) — (:36) 10-O.Mare 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones..
The third quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the PIT 5 (Q3 21:16) — (6:16) 23-R.Brown right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. On the pitch from #8 Culpepper; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 21:11) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIA 87 (Q4 6:25) — (6:25) 16-C.Batch pass deep right to 83-H.Miller for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Ball caught at the PIT 32; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 6:11) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 66 (Q4 3:09); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 2:59) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 6:25) — (6:25) 16-C.Batch pass deep right to 83-H.Miller for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Ball caught at the PIT 32
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 12:03) — (12:03) #79 Essex reports as eligible 16-C.Batch to MIA 4 for -3 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by MIA-25-W.Allen at MIA 4. 25-W.Allen to MIA 5 for 1 yard (34-V.Haynes).
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 3:09) — (3:09) (Shotgun) 8-D.Culpepper pass short middle intended for 83-W.Welker INTERCEPTED by 55-J.Porter at MIA 42. 55-J.Porter for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Miami Dolphins (Q3 23:42) — (8:42) (Shotgun) 8-D.Culpepper pass deep right to 86-M.Booker to PIT 25 for 52 yards (25-R.Clark).
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 5:57) — (5:57) 8-D.Culpepper pass deep right intended for 84-C.Chambers INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at MIA 45. 43-T.Polamalu ran ob at MIA 45 for no gain. Pressure by #24 Taylor
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 3:09) — (3:09) (Shotgun) 8-D.Culpepper pass short middle intended for 83-W.Welker INTERCEPTED by 55-J.Porter at MIA 42. 55-J.Porter for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 6:25) — (6:25) 16-C.Batch pass deep right to 83-H.Miller for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Ball caught at the PIT 32
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 12:03) — (12:03) #79 Essex reports as eligible 16-C.Batch to MIA 4 for -3 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by MIA-25-W.Allen at MIA 4. 25-W.Allen to MIA 5 for 1 yard (34-V.Haynes).
- Miami Dolphins (Q3 23:42) — (8:42) (Shotgun) 8-D.Culpepper pass deep right to 86-M.Booker to PIT 25 for 52 yards (25-R.Clark).
Quarterback report card
D.Culpepper led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Culpepper (Miami Dolphins) · 43 dropbacks · 41.9% completion · -9.4% CPOE · -0.24 EPA/play · -10.15 total EPA
- C.Batch (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 33 dropbacks · 45.5% completion · -2.3% CPOE · +0.50 EPA/play · +16.63 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Miami Dolphins | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.143 | +0.006 |
| Offensive success rate | 43.2% | 42.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.236 | +0.504 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.145 | -0.218 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.006 | +0.143 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.6% | 56.8% |
By the numbers
Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.14), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Miami Dolphins: 12 drives, -10.55 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, +0.48 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- C. Batch (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- D. Culpepper (MIA) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 44:21 · MIA 27 · Score 0-6
(14:21) (Shotgun) 16-C.Batch pass deep right to 85-N.Washington for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 44:14 · MIA 2 · Score 0-7
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 35:18 · PIT 2 · Score 6-7
(5:18) 23-R.Brown up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 35:14 · PIT 2 · Score 7-7
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 31:56 · MIA 7 · Score 7-13
(1:56) 16-C.Batch pass short middle to 86-H.Ward for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 31:49 · MIA 2 · Score 7-14
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 30:36 · PIT 8 · Score 10-14
(:36) 10-O.Mare 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 21:16 · PIT 5 · Score 16-14
(6:16) 23-R.Brown right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. On the pitch from #8 Culpepper - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 21:11 · PIT 2 · Score 17-14
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 6:25 · MIA 87 · Score 17-20
(6:25) 16-C.Batch pass deep right to 83-H.Miller for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Ball caught at the PIT 32 - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 6:11 · MIA 2 · Score 17-21
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 3:09 · PIT 66 · Score 17-27
(3:09) (Shotgun) 8-D.Culpepper pass short middle intended for 83-W.Welker INTERCEPTED by 55-J.Porter at MIA 42. 55-J.Porter for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 2:59 · MIA 2 · Score 17-28
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Miami Dolphins vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Miami Dolphins 28-17 in Week 1, 2006 on 2006-09-07.
What was the final score of Miami Dolphins vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The final score was Miami Dolphins 17, Pittsburgh Steelers 28 (MIA 17-28 PIT) in Week 1, 2006 on 2006-09-07.
What was the score by quarter in Miami Dolphins vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q2: Miami Dolphins 10, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Q3: Miami Dolphins 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Q4: Miami Dolphins 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Final: Miami Dolphins 17, Pittsburgh Steelers 28.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Miami Dolphins vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — N. Washington (C. Batch pass) (Q2 44:21) Miami Dolphins touchdown — R. Brown (Q2 35:18) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Ward (C. Batch pass) (Q2 31:56) Miami Dolphins touchdown — R. Brown (Q3 21:16) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Miller (C. Batch pass) (Q4 6:25) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Porter (Q4 3:09) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q2 30:36, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Miami Dolphins vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
D. Culpepper (Miami Dolphins), 41.9% completion, -9.4% CPOE, -0.24 EPA per dropback, -10.15 total passing EPA. C. Batch (Pittsburgh Steelers), 45.5% completion, -2.3% CPOE, +0.50 EPA per dropback, +16.63 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Miami Dolphins vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
C. Batch (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +16.63 on passing plays. across 33 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-8.30 EPA): (3:09) (Shotgun) 8-D.Culpepper pass short middle intended for 83-W.Welker INTERCEPTED by 55-J.Porter at MIA 42. 55-J.Porter for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +34.9%.
Season records after this game
Miami Dolphins
Now 0-1 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Now 1-0 W
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