Pittsburgh running back Rashard Mendenhall couldn't find any lanes against the Dolphins, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger carved up the defense on the team's first second-half drive. He had completions to Emmanuel Sanders and Hines Ward, totaling 54 yards on the drive, but it wasn't enough - the Steelers failed to convert on a third-and-long near the Dolphins endzone and had to settle for another Jeff Reed field goal, increasing their lead to four points.
Bad news for the Steelers defense: defensive end Aaron Smith, who was having a a terrific game through two and a half quarters, left the field with his arm wrapped in ice. That leaves PIttsburgh thin on the defensive front, as the team was already without their other starting end, Brett Keisel.