Look for Conner to have an impact

When the Dolphins run

Mark Walton has become Miami’s starter and has fared well in his new role, rushing for 66 yards in his second career NFL start against last week vs. the Bills. Walton was able to keep the Dolphins offense on schedule on first and second downs, creating manageable situations on third down, translating to the second straight game where Miami led in time of possession. Still, Miami’s offense averages just 66.7 rushing yards per game, ranking second to last in the NFL. And they will face a Steelers defense that ranks 18th, allowing 110.2 yards per game to opponents. Edge: Steelers

When the Steelers run

James Conner paces the Steelers rushing attack, accounting for 74 carries for 235 yards and a touchdown during Pittsburgh’s 2-4 start this season. Conner also leads the team with 26 first-down plays, which he has 14 of on the ground, keeping the Steelers offense on schedule and on the field. The Dolphins defense has struggled at times against the run this season, allowing three of their six opponents to have a 100-yard rusher during a game (they allowed two against the Cowboys in Week 3). While Miami’s defense has risen two spots up from worst in the league to 30th, giving up 417.3 yards per game, they have still allowed an average of 160.8 yards per game on the ground. Look for Conner to capitalize. Edge: Steelers

When the Dolphins pass

Starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has led Miami to four touchdown drives in his past five quarters at the helm of the offense, relishing the role he regained from second-year quarterback Josh Rosen. Fitzpatrick has connected with a number of receiving targets in recent weeks, including receiver DeVante Parker (who leads Miami with three touchdowns, tight end Mike Gesicki (seven catches for 82 yards in past two games) and rookie receiver Preston Williams (eight catches for 113 yards in past two games). The Dolphins will face a Steelers defense with 10 first-round picks that ranks in the middle of the NFL, 15th overall, giving up an average of 354.3 yards and 21.8 points per game. Edge: Steelers

When the Steelers pass

Mason Rudolph will likely return as Pittsburgh’s starter after suffering a concussion in Week 5, causing him to miss just one game while resting through the team’s bye last week. Rudolph, the 2018 third-round pick, has had to quickly assert himself in the Steelers offense after Ben Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2. Rudolph has completed 67% of his passes for 646 yards with seven touchdowns in four games. He has also been intercepted only twice while being sacked just three times during that stretch. Rudolph will face a Dolphins defense that has forced the fewest turnovers (two) this season. Edge: Steelers

Special teams Intangibles

Standout cornerback Xavien Howard, who has missed the past two games with a knee injury, says he wants to play against Pittsburgh on Monday night. He could be useful against Steelers leading receiver JuJu-Smith Schuster, who has 25 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns this season. … The Steelers may be 2-4, but their losses have come against two undefeated teams and two 5-2 teams this season. Despite losing by 30 to the defending champion New England Patriots in Week 1, the Steelers have lost their other three games by less than four points. They should easily outmatch the 0-6 Dolphins, who despite having a one-point loss to the Redskins, have lost by an average of 24.6 points per game this season. Edge: Steelers