Kenny Pickett throws 2 late interceptions, Steelers can’t rally in loss to Dolphins

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — It was a game that Mike Tomlin literally thought the Pittsburgh Steelers let slip through their fingers.

On a day when Kenny Pickett, making his first prime time start, threw three interceptions, the Steelers defense had four chances to pick off passes and came away empty-handed each time in a 16-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.

“When it’s a defensive battle as that game developed into, it’s about who catches their interception opportunities and who doesn’t,” Tomlin said. “That’s the lens in which I see it. The Dolphins caught theirs, and we didn’t didn’t catch ours. That’s probably the difference in the game.”

Despite falling behind 13-0 in the first quarter, the Steelers had chances to complete the comeback and win their first game against an AFC East opponent this season. But Pickett was intercepted at the Miami 18 and in the Dolphins end zone on the Steelers’ final two possessions. He also threw an interception in the opening quarter that led to one of three Jason Sanders field goals.

When Pickett’s final pass was picked off with 18 seconds remaining, it ensured the Steelers would fall to 2-5 and into a tie with Cleveland for last place in the AFC North. Four of those losses were to AFC East competition.

The Steelers, on the other hand, had several chances to intercept Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa. Cornerback Levi Wallace, who returned after missing a game because of a concussion, had two passes in his grasp but couldn’t hold onto the ball. Cam Sutton, who also was back after a one-game absence, dropped a potential interception, as did safety Terrell Edmunds.

“It was in our hands to make plays,” free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said. “It’s frustrating. You have to make them.”

Added inside linebacker Myles Jack: “If we come up with a couple of those picks, the score would be different, and the whole mood right now would be different.”

Tagovailoa, whose return from a two-game absence because of multiple concussions was a storyline heading into the game, helped the Dolphins (4-3) snap a three-game losing streak.

Pickett, also returning from a concussion, was poised to pull off his first fourth-quarter comeback and game-winning drive when he led the Steelers to the Dolphins 15 with less than four minutes remaining.

But back-to-back penalties on the Steelers pushed the ball to the 30, and Pickett threw an interception — his second of the game — on the next play. Pickett threw his third interception, on a pass to the end zone, with 18 seconds left to end any comeback hopes.

Pickett completed 32 of 44 passes for 257 yards and a 7-yard touchdown to George Pickens.

“I thought he was highly competitive,” Tomlin said. “I thought he played to win. I thought he made some plays. Unfortunately, he and we didn’t make enough.”

The Steelers defense adjusted after Tagovailoa directed scoring drives on his first three possessions for a 13-0 lead. He finished with 21 completions in 35 attempts for 261 yards yards and a touchdown.

The Steelers also couldn’t generate a pass rush, failing to register a sack for the third time this season.

“The defense stood on its head and made critical stops when we needed it,” tight end Pat Freiermuth said. “As an offense, we can’t keep putting the defense in that situation. We have to put drives together and finish them.”

The Dolphins took a 16-10 lead into halftime and were in position to add to it on their first possession after intermission. But on fourth-and-3 at the Steelers 14, coach Mike McDaniel opted against the field goal that would have made it a two-score game. Chase Edmonds was stopped for a 1-yard loss.

That decision didn’t seem to make a difference as Pickett couldn’t move the offense. The Steelers punted on each of their first five possessions of the half.

Then, Pickett got the offense humming after the Steelers took over at their 18 with 7:56 remaining. Pickett had completions of 13 yards to Freiermuth and 12 to Chase Claypool, getting the Steelers across midfield for the first time in the second half. Pickett continued to use short passes to keep the drive moving. He found Claypool for 10 yards and a first down at the Dolphins 24. On third-and-1 from the 15, Pickett appeared to gain the first down on a sneak, but the Steelers were called for an illegal shift.

On the next play, left tackle Dan Moore was called for a holding, pushing the ball back to the 30.

Facing third-and-16, Pickett looked for Diontae Johnson down the middle. Jevon Holland intercepted and returned the ball to midfield with 2:57 to play.

Coach Mike Tomlin used his final two timeouts and Tagovailoa threw incomplete on third down. The Steelers got the ball back at their 13 with 2:31 remaining.

On fourth-and-6 from the 32, Pickett threaded a pass across the middle to Freiermuth for a 21-yard gain to the Dolphins 47.

A completion to Johnson gained 14 yards and stopped the clock with 42 seconds left. A pass to Freiermuth put the ball on the 25. Pickett then looked to the left side of the end zone, but Noah Igbinoghene intercepted with 18 seconds left.