Ajayi Rushes For 204 Yards In Dolphins Win
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MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami/AP) — The Miami Dolphins defense left Ben Roethlisberger limping and the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't look much better.
Roethlisberger missed one series because of a left knee injury and was held to 189 yards passing, and Miami beat Pittsburgh 30-15 on Sunday.
Jay Ajayi rushed for 204 yards and two scores on 25 carries for the Dolphins, who improved to 2-4.
The Steelers (4-2) had scored 74 points in their previous two games, but were outgained 474-297. Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown, the NFL's leading receiver, was held to four receptions for 39 yards. Teammate Sammie Coates, playing with a hand injury, didn't have a catch.
Roethlisberger had only 83 yards passing with 5 minutes left before he drove the Steelers 97 yards for a touchdown that made it 23-15. Miami recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the victory, and on the next play Ajayi scored on a 62-yard run.
The Steelers' only other touchdown came in the first quarter when Darrius Heyward-Bey scored on a 60-yard end around . Reshad Jones and Isa Abdul-Quddus had interceptions for the Dolphins, their first since the season opener.
Roethlisberger finished 19 for 34. He hobbled to the locker room and missed one series late in the second quarter when he was hurt scrambling on the play that resulted in Jones' interception, and he was still walking gingerly when the game ended.
The Dolphins were one-touchdown underdogs at home, but the score could have been more lopsided had they not repeatedly squandered chances in the red zone.
GOOD BLOCKING
The Dolphins started the game with their top five offensive line on the field together for the first time this year, and second-year pro Ajayi took advantage by reaching 100 yards rushing for the first time.
The Steelers failed to sack Ryan Tannehill after he was taken down six times a week earlier against Tennessee.
TANNEHILL'S DAY
Tannehill, booed by fans a week ago, drew only cheers while going 24 for 32 for 252 yards, including a pair of long throws.
He slipped from the grasp of 352-pound Daniel McCullers to throw a 53-yard pass to MarQueis Gray that set up a field goal. Tannehill's 39-yard pass to Jarvis Landry set up Miami's first touchdown with 21 seconds left in the first half for a 16-8 lead.
DIVIDED ALLEGIANCES?
The crowd appeared evenly divided early, with many fans waving yellow towels for every play that went the visitors' way. But as Miami pulled away in the second half, it seemed the entire stadium was singing the Dolphins fight song.
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