Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins: 2009 Week 17 Recap

Game story

In Week 17 of the 2009 NFL season on 2010-01-03, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Miami Dolphins, pulling away with a 30–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +10.43 total EPA, and +9.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.43 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-29.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (7:04) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 13 for -8 yards (33-N.Jones). FUMBLES (33-N.Jones), RECOVERED by MIA-55-J.Porter at PIT 13. 55-J.Porter to PIT 13 for no gain (78-M.Starks).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +10.43 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Wallace · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +7.08 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.36 EPA/play
3. 3 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.59 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Bess · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.38 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Henne · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +5.04 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Fasano · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.32 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Hartline · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +2.05 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Mendenhall · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +2.02 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Holmes (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 53:07)
• Miami Dolphins — L. Hilliard (C. Henne pass) (Q1 48:25)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Wallace (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 45:35)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 18:51)
• Miami Dolphins — B. Hartline (Q4 11:32)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Bess (T. Thigpen pass) (Q4 8:46)

Field goals

• Miami Dolphins — D. Carpenter (Q2 39:24)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q2 35:36)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q4 14:01)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q4 0:45)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIA 5 (Q1 53:07) — (8:07) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 10-S.Holmes for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q1 53:02) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the PIT 11 (Q1 48:25) — (3:25) 7-C.Henne pass short right to 26-L.Hilliard for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 48:18) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIA 54 (Q1 45:35) — (:35) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 17-M.Wallace for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q1 45:25) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the PIT 7 (Q2 39:24) — (9:24) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Carpenter 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the MIA 4 (Q2 35:36) — (5:36) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIA 3 (Q3 18:51) — (3:51) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 83-H.Miller for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q3 18:42) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..

The fourth quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 14–6. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the MIA 3 (Q4 14:01) — (14:01) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the PIT 16 (Q4 11:32) — (11:32) (Shotgun) 82-B.Hartline left end for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 11:24) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the PIT 34 (Q4 8:46) — (8:46) 16-T.Thigpen pass deep left to 15-D.Bess for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 8:37) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the MIA 15 (Q4 0:45) — (:45) 3-J.Reed 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 7:04) — (7:04) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 13 for -8 yards (33-N.Jones). FUMBLES (33-N.Jones), RECOVERED by MIA-55-J.Porter at PIT 13. 55-J.Porter to PIT 13 for no gain (78-M.Starks). [WPA -29.4% · EPA -4.42]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 6:20) — (6:20) 16-T.Thigpen pass short left intended for 19-T.Ginn INTERCEPTED by 25-R.Clark at PIT 2. 25-R.Clark to PIT 2 for no gain (19-T.Ginn). [WPA -25.8% · EPA -2.90]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 45:35) — (:35) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 17-M.Wallace for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.5% · EPA +5.61]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 8:46) — (8:46) 16-T.Thigpen pass deep left to 15-D.Bess for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.7% · EPA +3.87]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 57:22) — (12:22) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller pushed ob at MIA 31 for 37 yards (37-Y.Bell). [WPA +11.7% · EPA +3.32]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 45:35) — (:35) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 17-M.Wallace for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.5% · EPA +5.61]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 7:04) — (7:04) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 13 for -8 yards (33-N.Jones). FUMBLES (33-N.Jones), RECOVERED by MIA-55-J.Porter at PIT 13. 55-J.Porter to PIT 13 for no gain (78-M.Starks). [WPA -29.4% · EPA -4.42]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 8:46) — (8:46) 16-T.Thigpen pass deep left to 15-D.Bess for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.7% · EPA +3.87]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 35:24) — (5:24) 10-S.Holmes pass deep right intended for 34-R.Mendenhall INTERCEPTED by 37-Y.Bell at MIA 7. 37-Y.Bell to MIA 23 for 16 yards (62-J.Hartwig). [WPA -9.0% · EPA -3.62]

Quarterback report card

B.Roethlisberger led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 33 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · +9.3% CPOE · +0.32 EPA/play · +10.43 total EPA
• C.Henne (Miami Dolphins) · 22 dropbacks · 72.7% completion · +17.7% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +5.04 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.14 vs +0.03), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Miami Dolphins: 11 drives, +2.27 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +12.19 total EPA, 6 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• C. Henne (MIA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 53:07 · MIA 5 · Score 6-0
   (8:07) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 10-S.Holmes for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 53:02 · MIA 2 · Score 7-0
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
3. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 48:25 · PIT 11 · Score 7-6
   (3:25) 7-C.Henne pass short right to 26-L.Hilliard for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 48:18 · PIT 2 · Score 7-7
   5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 45:35 · MIA 54 · Score 13-7
   (:35) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 17-M.Wallace for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 45:25 · MIA 2 · Score 14-7
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
7. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 39:24 · PIT 7 · Score 14-10
   (9:24) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Carpenter 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 35:36 · MIA 4 · Score 17-10
   (5:36) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 18:51 · MIA 3 · Score 23-10
   (3:51) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 83-H.Miller for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 18:42 · MIA 2 · Score 24-10
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 14:01 · MIA 3 · Score 27-10
    (14:01) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
12. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 11:32 · PIT 16 · Score 27-16
    (11:32) (Shotgun) 82-B.Hartline left end for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 11:24 · PIT 2 · Score 27-17
    5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
14. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 8:46 · PIT 34 · Score 27-23
    (8:46) 16-T.Thigpen pass deep left to 15-D.Bess for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 8:37 · PIT 2 · Score 27-24
    5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 0:45 · MIA 15 · Score 30-24
    (:45) 3-J.Reed 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.