PITTSBURGH — Steelers Secure Victory Over Dolphins
Aaron Rodgers threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns as the Pittsburgh Steelers claimed a 28-15 win against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night. This victory moved the Steelers to 8-6, while the Dolphins fell to 6-8.
Pittsburgh really turned up the heat in the final stretch, controlling the game for the last 35 minutes. This marked their second consecutive win and the 23rd straight home victory on Monday Night Football.
Connor Heyward capped a lengthy drive with a powerful touchdown just before halftime, allowing the Steelers to take the lead. In the third quarter, Rodgers connected for two more touchdowns—one a 19-yarder to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and another a 28-yarder to DK Metcalf, even pushing aside former teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick in the process.
Rodgers completed 23 of 27 passes at the chilly Acresure Stadium. Surprisingly, the 42-year-old felt a sense of nostalgia, reminding him of his days in Green Bay, despite the freezing temperatures, which dipped into the teens.
It’s interesting to see Rodgers still playing meaningful games in December; that’s something he was eager for when he decided to return for his 21st season back in June. As the second-oldest player in the league, he got substantial support from running back Kenneth Gainwell, who racked up 126 yards.
The Dolphins had their four-game winning streak halted, which, I imagine, has cast a shadow over their slim playoff hopes. They even practiced in the snow over the weekend to prepare for the chilly conditions, but it didn’t seem to help.
Miami initially took a 3-0 lead with Riley Patterson’s 54-yard field goal during a slow first half. However, once Rodgers found his rhythm, the Dolphins’ offense, led by Tua Tagovailoa, struggled to keep up.
Tagovailoa managed to complete 22 of 28 passes, totaling 254 yards, with two late touchdowns to Darren Waller, but he also threw an interception—his 15th of the season, leading the NFL. Davon Ashen, who played a pivotal role in helping Miami rebound from a tough start, gathered 60 rushing yards and caught six passes for 68 yards, yet he didn’t significantly impact the game after Miami’s early drive.
Pittsburgh scored touchdowns on four consecutive possessions, ensuring they remained undefeated at home on Monday nights since 1992.
This victory also marked a rare win for the Steelers without star outside linebacker TJ Watt, who is out indefinitely after surgery for a collapsed lung. Intriguingly, this was only the second win in nine tries for Pittsburgh without Watt.
Despite his absence, the Steelers’ defense shined, sacking Tagovailoa four times and intercepting him once, halting a promising start for Miami.
Historically, Tagovailoa has struggled in colder temperatures, never winning a game when it’s below 40 degrees at kickoff. In fact, during the third quarter, Miami’s offense recorded a staggering -20 yards.
The recent improvement in Miami’s performance may have stabilized coach Mike McDaniel’s position, at least temporarily. With playoffs now seemingly out of reach, the focus shifts to the future, and whether that future involves the 42-year-old quarterback remains uncertain.
