The Pittsburgh Steelers moved to 8-6 on the season and continue to hold firm atop the AFC North with a 28-15 victory over the Miami Dolphins (6-8) on Monday night. While the win moves Pittsburgh one step closer to the playoffs, the loss officially eliminates Miami from postseason contention.
Despite the Steelers scoring nearly 30 points, it was a sluggish start offensively for both teams as the defensive units flexed early. Pittsburgh went nearly the entire first half without a score before Connor Heyward barreled in a goal-line touchdown with 17 seconds remaining in the second quarter to give the Steelers a 7-3 lead at the break.
That score broke the dam for Aaron Rodgers and Co., as it sparked a stretch of four straight touchdown drives that helped Pittsburgh blow the game open. To open the second half, Rodgers led back-to-back touchdown drives. The first was capped by a 19-yard scoring pass to former Green Bay Packers teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling, followed by a 28-yard touchdown that required a herculean effort from DK Metcalf.
Those scores not only tipped the scales in the Steelers' favor but also helped Rodgers pass Peyton Manning for the third-most career games with multiple passing touchdowns in NFL history (166). Rodgers finished the night completing 23 of 27 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Miami couldn't find much rhythm offensively while the game was within reach, continuing the narrative that the Dolphins struggle in cold weather. Tua Tagovailoa completed 22 of 28 passes for 254 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, though much of that production came in garbage time.
The Steelers will spend the next two weeks on the road, starting with a Week 16 matchup against the Detroit Lions before visiting the Cleveland Browns. They then return home for a potential division-defining showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. As for the Dolphins, they'll play out the string beginning next week by hosting the Cincinnati Bengals, who were also eliminated from playoff contention in Week 15.
For more on this matchup, check out our takeaways below
The story of this game can be told simply by what we saw in the third quarter. While Pittsburgh finally found the end zone just before halftime to take a slim 7-3 lead, it was the third quarter where it truly pulled away thanks to strong play on both sides of the ball. Overall, Pittsburgh outscored Miami 14-0 in the quarter, with Aaron Rodgers leading the way offensively with two passing scores.
Even more jarring was the yardage disparity. As the Steelers gained 163 yards over that stretch, the Dolphins totaled minus-20 yards in the third quarter and went three-and-out on both possessions. Both drives saw the Pittsburgh defense get home, sacking Tua Tagovailoa before Miami punted the ball away.
By the time we got to the fourth quarter, it was a 28-3 lead in favor of the Steelers, and the victory was effectively in hand.
The play of the night goes to DK Metcalf, who caught Rodgers' second touchdown pass of the contest. The Steelers receiver refused to go down on the 28-yard score. He caught the ball at around the 15-yard line and began throwing defenders aside like rag dolls as he powered his way in for the touchdown. It was Metcalf's first receiving touchdown since Week 8. (He had a rushing score in Week 12.)
If the Steelers and/or Rodgers are playing on "Monday Night Football," it's safe to say they're going to come out on the winning end. The franchise has now won 22 straight home games on "Monday Night Football," which is the longest streak all time. Their last loss on this stage came in 1991 to the Giants during Chuck Noll's final season as head coach.
Speaking of coaches, the win moves Mike Tomlin to 12-0 at home on "Monday Night Football." That's the most home wins without a loss by a head coach in the game's history.
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers moved to 11-2 at home in his career on "Monday Night Football."
It was a long shot for Miami to get into the playoffs coming into Week 15, but those hopes were officially dashed Monday with the loss. Now it faces a harsh reality about how to proceed moving forward. This is Miami's second straight season missing the playoffs and will extend its playoff win drought. The franchise hasn't won a playoff game since 2000, which is the longest active streak in the NFL.
Moreover, the loss continues to show the Dolphins' inability to beat teams above .500. Under Mike McDaniel, Miami is 4-16 against teams entering with a record above .500 (30-15 vs. .500 or below teams). That's the largest win percentage differential (-.467) by a head coach in the Super Bowl era (minimum 50 games).
Pittsburgh moves to 8-6 on the season and continues to stay up on the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North. As for the Dolphins, this loss eliminates them from playoff contention.
The Dolphins are cutting into Pittsburgh's lead, but it's merely window dressing at this point. However, if you started Darren Waller in the fantasy football playoffs, you're probably thrilled, as he was on the receiving end of both of Tua Tagovailoa's second-half touchdowns.
This was Smith's first rushing touchdown since 2020 when he was with Tennessee, per the broadcast.
The story of this game can be told simply from the third quarter. On top of the 14-0 run by the Steelers, Miami totaled just -20 yards in the quarter compared to Pittsburgh putting up 163 yards.
With that touchdown to DK Metcalf, Aaron Rodgers passed Peyton Manning for third-most career games with multiple passing touchdowns in NFL history (166). Rodgers is now only looking up to Drew Brees (173) and Tom Brady (204).
The Miami offense is going in the absolute wrong direction. In a gotta-have-it third-and-11 situation, Tua Tagovailoa was sacked for the second time tonight. This time, it was Payton Wilson who took him down. The Steelers get the ball back with the ability to burn clock and build on their lead.
The Steelers have blown this game wide open after taking a 21-3 lead over the Dolphins. A 28-yard catch and run by DK Metcalf capped off a 10-play, 77-yard drive. That's three straight touchdown drives for Pittsburgh. Miami on the brink of being officially eliminated from the playoffs.
The Steelers defense is starting to flex. On a third-and-6 situation, Jalen Ramsey came screaming off the right side and was able to sack Tua Tagovailoa for a 12-yard loss. Miami punts the ball back to Pittsburgh, who can build on the lead.
Dagger? The Pittsburgh Steelers have sandwiched two touchdowns around halftime, taking a 14-3 lead over the Dolphins thanks to a Marquez Valdes-Scantling 19-yard touchdown reception. The drive was spearheaded by Gainwell's 38-yard rush, and Rodgers finished it up with his old Packers buddy.
The Steelers are in striking distance again as we begin the second half, thanks to Kenneth Gainwell bumping outside and ripping off a 38-yard gain. If Pittsburgh goes up 14-3, that could be enough in this game.
The Dolphins had to settle for a field goal after failing to convert on a third-and-1 rush by Ollie Gordon II. Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen crossed the line of scrimmage essentially untouched to make the clutch tackle for a loss. While that stopped the drive, Miami was able to connect on a 54-yard field goal to jump out to a 3-0 lead.
For the first time all night, we have a third-down conversion. Prior to this throw from Tagovailoa to Achane, both the Dolphins and Steelers were 0-7 on the key down. Let's see if Miami can cash in after getting into Pittsburgh territory.
Miami is doing a great job at getting home on third down. That's back-to-back dives where they've been able to sack Aaron Rodgers on third down to force a Pittsburgh punt. This time, it was Zach Sieler who was able to take him down.
Per CBS Sports Research, the Steelers have now gone 64 straight games scoring seven points or less in the first quarter. That's the longest active streak in the NFL, and it dates back to Sept. 11, 2022.
The Steelers were aggressive and converted on a couple of fourth-down situations during their second possession of the night, and were threatening to score after getting to the Miami 33-yard line. They were in field goal range when Rodgers took a third-and-11 snap, but the veteran took an ill-timed sack. Dolphins pass rusher Jordyn Brooks was able to get home and boot Pittsburgh out of field goal range.
That pick was Tagovailoa's 15th of the season, which passes Geno Smith for the most in the NFL. Those are the most by a Dolphins player in a season since Ryan Tannehill when he had 17 picks in 2013.
| Player | Most INTs this season |
|---|---|
Tua Tagovailoa | 15 |
Geno Smith | 14 |
Justin Herbert | 12 |
Boy, that was UGLY by Tua Tagovailoa. After getting into Pittsburgh territory, the Dolphins QB threw a high-arching and short ball to Jaylen Waddle, which was picked off by Asante Samuel Jr., who just recently joined the Steelers.
Both offenses are starting off a little cold, which is fitting considering the weather in Pittsburgh. The Steelers didn't get much going as Kenneth Gainwell's 7-yard reception on third-and-8 was just short of moving the chains. Worth noting that it was Gainwell out there over Jaylen Warren, who is active after being listed as questionable due to an illness.
Mike McDaniel decided to take the football after winning the coin toss, but it didn't produce points. Miami's offense initially looked like it was going to start on a strong note after Tua Tagovailoa connected with Julian Hill for a 20-yard gain, but the unit gained just three total yards after that before punting it away. Let's see what Aaron Rodgers and Co. can do on their first touch.
Here's how CBS Sports Senior NFL analyst Pete Prisco thinks Monday's matchup will unfold: "The Dolphins, thanks to a four-game winning streak, are still alive in the playoff picture. They won last week on the road against the Jets and now must face a Steelers team coming off an impressive victory over the Ravens. The weather is supposed to have temperatures under 40 degrees, which isn't a good thing for the Dolphins, who have struggled in those conditions. The Steelers will take it as Aaron Rodgers plays well." Pick: Steelers 27, Dolphins 20
As we gear up for kickoff, it's worth pointing out Pittsburgh's stellar record in this prime time setting. Per ESPN Insights, the franchise has won 22 consecutive home games on "Monday Night Football," which is the longest such streak since "MNF" began in 1970. Pittsburgh hasn't lost at home on "Monday Night Football" since 1991 against the Giants at Three Rivers Stadium.
One of the matchups I'll be monitoring is De'Von Achane taking on a Steelers run defense that can be taken advantage of, allowing 4.4 yards per carry this season. Achane had the third-most rushing yards in the NFL (1,126) coming into Week 15, and led the NFL in yards per rush (5.8).
One of the stories that took over headlines this week was T.J. Watt being ruled out for this game after undergoing surgery to stabilize and partially repair a partially collapsed lung. Naturally, not having the star pass rusher is a massive blow for the Steelers, who are just 1-10 without Watt since drafting him in 2017.
| Steelers with/without T.J. Watt since 2017 | With | Without |
|---|---|---|
W-L | 86-46-2 | 1-10 |
Opponent PPG | 20.3 | 26.3 |
Opponent YPG | 325.6 | 381.3 |
Sacks PG | 3.1 | 1.5 |
The current weather forecast calls for it to be around 17 degrees at kickoff at Acrisure Stadium. For Aaron Rodgers (who played the bulk of his career in Green Bay) and the Steelers, this is nothing new. However, it does shine a light on how poorly Miami has fared in cold-weather games. The franchise has lost 13 straight games when it was under 40 degrees at kickoff. Meanwhile, Tua Tagovailoa is 1-7 in the eight coldest starts of his career (9 touchdowns, 8 interceptions).
Miami Dolphins: After the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans won on Sunday, a Dolphins loss to Pittsburgh would officially eliminate them from playoff contention.
Pittsburgh Steelers: There are no clinching scenarios for Pittsburgh in this game, but it's still mightily important for their playoff push. They come into this matchup in first place in the AFC North, but need a win to avoid being knotted up with the Baltimore Ravens at 7-7 on the season. The Steelers currently hold the head-to-head tiebreaker thanks to their win last week, but those two will face one another a final time in Week 18. With that in mind, Pittsburgh would be wise to simply pull off a win and keep them at a safer distance to avoid being leapfrogged.
