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NFL Week 15 overreactions

USA TODAY’s Prince Grimes breaks down the best storylines from NFL Week 15.

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For the second straight season, the Miami Dolphins (6-8) will miss the playoffs.

On a cold, strange night in Pittsburgh, the Steelers (8-6) took down Miami to simultaneously stay ahead of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North standings and eliminate the Dolphins from contention.

Pittsburgh’s 28-15 win had plenty of highlights for the winning team — a couple of rushing touchdowns from tight ends, a physical catch-and-run score from D.K. Metcalf and big games from Patrick Queen and Jalen Ramsey.

But it also generated plenty of questions about the Dolphins and their future. Is quarterback Tua Tagovailoa a part of their future plans? Should he be? Where does head coach Mike McDaniel fit in for Miami’s vision for 2026 and beyond?

The Dolphins’ defense held the Steelers to only punts for most of the first half, but the floodgates opened in the second half when Miami’s offense couldn’t stay on the field, tallying -20 yards. Then McDaniel made some strange game-management decisions in the fourth quarter, seeming indecisive about whether to wave the white flag in a must-win game for his team.

It was a strange game — any matchup that features zero points until the final five minutes of the first half is bound to be — but the Steelers will happily ride into the final three weeks with a one-game lead over the Ravens in the AFC North. The Dolphins, in losing their first game since October, will face a long wait until 2026 for another shot at making the playoffs.

Here’s how it all went down on “Monday Night Football,” as USA TODAY Sports covered all of the action live: 

Is this the end of the line for Tua Tagovailoa? The Dolphins’ quarterback moved to 0-6 in cold games — any game with a kickoff temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less — and was largely unable to lead the offense on sustained drives throughout the night. Miami finished the night with only 16 first downs (the Steelers had 22) and tallied -20 yards in the third quarter. There were multiple instances in which Tagovailoa took an unnecessary sack instead of throwing the ball away. There was another interception to take sole possession of the league lead with 15 this year. Two things are certain: the weather gets cold in the winter, and the playoffs take place in that cold weather. If the Dolphins want to be Super Bowl contenders, they need Tagovailoa to find a way to win in the cold, or they need to move on.What was Mike McDaniel’s strategy? The Dolphins’ head coach seemed to indicate a lack of faith in his quarterback all night. First, there was his decision to run the ball to close out the first half, even though he had to kick it away to begin the second. Then, in the fourth quarter, McDaniel let his offense take its time throughout the final period despite facing a significant deficit in a game Miami needed to win to avoid playoff elimination. But then McDaniel also called all his timeouts on one of the Steelers’ final possessions to ensure the Dolphins got the ball back, and he had his team attempt an onside kick late in the period. ESPN analyst Troy Aikman questioned McDaniel’s game management throughout the quarter due to some of those decisions. Was McDaniel waving the white flag early? Was he not? If he was, was it another indication of his lack of belief in Tagovailoa? Did he realize his team could be eliminated from the playoffs with a loss? After a third quarter that featured -20 yards from McDaniel’s offense, the fourth quarter was almost more baffling, with his back-and-forth decision-making leaving it unclear whether he was really trying to win the game.The Steelers played with toughness. Whether it was running back Kenneth Gainwell crashing through multiple defenders for extra yards or wide receiver D.K. Metcalf tossing a defensive back to score a touchdown, Pittsburgh played more like a team staving off elimination than the Dolphins did. The Steelers took their cold-weather advantage to the max with hard-nosed play all night, and it kept them at the top of the AFC North for at least one more week with only three games to play.The NFL needs to re-evaluate its taunting penalty. Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (who had a great game, for what it’s worth) got called for a taunting penalty for… standing over tight end Pat Freiermuth after breaking up a pass? That extra 15 yards allowed Pittsburgh to pick up a first down after what was initially a third-down stop on a drive that ended in a touchdown. It was a questionable call on what is already a subjective, ambiguous penalty, and it would behoove the league to reconsider and/or redefine what constitutes a penalty.

Miami has been eliminated from playoff contention with its loss to the Steelers on Dec. 15.

23-of-27 (85.1% completion rate)224 passing yards2 passing touchdowns0 interceptions125.9 passer rating22-of-28 (78.5% completion rate)253 passing yards2 passing touchdowns1 interception113.2 passer rating

After a quiet night in the first three quarters, Waller is up to six catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns on “Monday Night Football.” It’s Waller’s second multi-touchdown game of the year and the fourth of his career.

The Dolphins once again failed to convert the two-point attempt, and it’s 28-15 Steelers with 2:32 left.

Rodgers attended Butte Community College for a year in 2002 before playing two seasons at California from 2003-04.

The Dolphins’ safety got banged up on the Steelers’ last touchdown drive, and Miami has ruled him questionable to return to the Week 15 game.

Miami had allowed 28 unanswered points before driving down the field 65 yards on six plays. Waller caught two passes for 26 yards, with the latter catch ending in six more points for Miami.

The Dolphins went for two to attempt to shrink their deficit to 17 points, but quarterback Tua Tagovailoa overthrew Waller in the back of the end zone.

The Steelers still lead 28-9 with 9:41 left in the game.

Smith, a tight end, lined up in the backfield and took a toss from quarterback Aaron Rodgers to begin a 14-yard rush to the end zone. It was Smith’s third overall touchdown of the season and second-ever rushing touchdown.

The score was Pittsburgh’s fourth straight touchdown without allowing any points. The Steelers lead 28-3 with 13 minutes left to play.

For the first time since Week 8, Metcalf hit pay dirt. The Steelers have scored 21 unanswered points after the Dolphins broke a scoreless tie late in the first half.

It’s 21-3 Steelers with five minutes to play in the third quarter.

Valdes-Scantling, whom Pittsburgh signed to its active roster from the practice squad earlier in the day, scored his first touchdown of the season on a 19-yard pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Valdes-Scantling and Rodgers had connected on a handful of touchdowns while they were both Green Bay Packers in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Their first connection as Steelers extended Pittsburgh’s “Monday Night Football” lead.

It’s 14-3 Steelers with 11:20 left in the third quarter.

The Dolphins’ rookie running back got twisted up on a rush attempt in the first half. Miami has ruled him questionable to return to Week 15’s “Monday Night Football” game.

The Steelers’ tight end has established himself as Pittsburgh’s QB sneak aficionado. After Pittsburgh failed to punch the ball in twice on traditional rushing plays, Heyward took the snap under center and shoved his way across the goal line.

Heyward’s fourth carry of the night went for his fourth yard of the night and resulted in the Steelers’ first score on “Monday Night Football.”

Pittsburgh now leads 7-3 with 17 seconds left in the first half.

Rodgers was married during the 2025 offseason. Rodgers’ wife has not publicly appeared with him yet.

Before acknowledging his marriage, Rodgers last mentioned having a significant other during a December 2024 appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”  During the appearance, Rodgers said her name was “Brittani,” clarifying that she spelled it with an “I.” 

Rodgers has not clarified whether she is the woman he married in 2025.

The Dolphins’ kicker broke a scoreless tie late in the first half with his 54-yard field goal. Prior to his kick, all six possessions to start the game ended in a punt or an interception.

Miami leads 3-0 with 5:11 left in the first half.

Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers, which has a base value of $13.65 million, according to Spotrac. He received a $10 million signing bonus and will have a cap hit of $14.15 million in 2025.

Rodgers’ contract can be worth up to $19.5 million in total value thanks to a $5.85 million incentive package tied to the deal. His incentives for the 2025 NFL season are as follows:

Playoff berth: $500,000Wild card win: $600,000Divisional win: $750,000Conference championship: $1 millionSuper Bowl win: $1.5 millionLeague MVP: $1.5 million

Philip Rivers turned 44 on Dec. 8 and is now the oldest active NFL player. Aaron Rodgers turned 42 on Dec. 6. There are 12 players aged 39 or older playing in the NFL in 2025:

Philip Rivers, QB, Indianapolis Colts: 44 years oldAaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: 42 years oldNick Folk, K, New York Jets: 41 years oldMatt Prater, K, Buffalo Bills: 41 years oldMarcedes Lewis, TE, Denver Broncos: 41 years oldJoe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals: 40 years oldJJ Jansen, LS, Carolina Panthers: 39 years oldJon Weeks, LS, San Francisco 49ers: 39 years oldMorgan Cox, LS, Tennessee Titans: 39 years oldThomas Morstead, P, San Francisco 49ers: 39 years oldJosh Johnson, QB, Washington Commanders: 39 years oldCalais Campbell, DL, Arizona Cardinals: 39 years old

Tua threw an interception in the first half of the Steelers vs. Dolphins “Monday Night Football” game. It marked the 15th interception he has thrown this season. He entered Week 15 tied with Geno Smith for the most interceptions in the NFL in 2025. He now leads the league with 15.

The temperature at tonight’s kickoff was 18 degrees in Pittsburgh.

What channel is Steelers vs. Dolphins Monday Night Football on tonight?

The Week 15 “MNF” matchup between the Steelers and Dolphins will be broadcast on ESPN.

What time is the Steelers vs. Dolphins game tonight?Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET | 5:15 p.m. CT

The Steelers and Dolphins are set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET, the customary start time for “Monday Night Football.” The Dolphins travel to Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the matchup.

Steelers vs. Dolphins stream

Cord-cutters looking for a stream of the Week 15 “MNF” matchup can tune to Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks, CBS, Fox, ABC and the NFL Network. Fubo also offers a free trial.

ESPN’s streaming services, Select and Unlimited, will also carry the game.

Watch “Monday Night Football” with Fubo

Steelers vs. Dolphins picks, predictions:

Here’s how USA TODAY Sports’ NFL experts feel tonight’s game will go:

Jarrett Bell: Steelers 23, Dolphins 20Nick Brinkerhoff: Steelers 24, Dolphins 16Chris Bumbaca: Steelers 24, Dolphins 22Nate Davis: Steelers 20, Dolphins 17Tyler Dragon: Steelers 26, Dolphins 20Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Dolphins 24, Steelers 23Steelers vs. Dolphins odds, moneyline, O/U

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list.

Moneyline (ML): Pittsburgh -165 (Bet $165 to win $100) | Miami +140 (Bet $100 to win $140)Against the spread (ATS): Pittsburgh -3 (-115) | Miami +3 (-105)Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Yes, there will be a ManningCast tonight. The Manning brothers will be on the alt-cast for the “Monday Night Football” game between the Steelers and the Dolphins.

WR Roman WilsonQB Will Howard (3rd QB)OL Andrus Peat DTBrodric Martin-RhodesOLB T.J. WattDT Derrick HarmonQB Quinn Ewers (3rd QB)DB Elijah CampbellCB AJ Green IIIOL Larry BoromWR Tahj WashingtonDT Matthew Butler

The Steelers running back was added to the injury report Monday morning after waking up with an illness. Warren woke up under the weather but is optimistic about playing tonight, per Tom Pelissero.

Warren is officially active for tonight’s game.

The temperature is expected to be 22 degrees around kickoff in Pittsburgh. There is no snow in the forecast.

Tua has never won an NFL game when the temperature is below 40 degrees at kickoff. Here is a breakdown of Tua’s record as an NFL starter in cold weather:

40 degrees or colder: 0-545 degrees or colder: 1-650 degrees or colder: 2-855 degrees or colder: 4-13

Pittsburgh is in first place in the AFC North. They’re looking to snap the Ravens ‘ two-year streak of winning the division title. Here’s a current look at the AFC North standings:

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)Baltimore Ravens (7-7)Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)Cleveland Browns (3-11)Denver Broncos (12-2, AFC West leaders)*New England Patriots (11-3, AFC East leaders)Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4, AFC South leaders)Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6, AFC North leaders)Los Angeles Chargers (10-4, wild card No. 1)Buffalo Bills (10-4, wild card No. 2)Houston Texans (9-5, wild card No. 3)

In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (8-6), Baltimore Ravens (7-7), Miami Dolphins (6-7).

* Clinched playoff berth

Eliminated: New York Jets (3-10), Cleveland Browns (3-10), Las Vegas Raiders (2-11), Tennessee Titans (2-11), Kansas City Chiefs (6-8), Cincinnati Bengals (4-10).

Los Angeles Rams (11-3; NFC West leaders)*Chicago Bears (10-4; NFC North leaders)Philadelphia Eagles (9-5; NFC East leaders)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7; NFC South leaders)Seattle Seahawks (11-3, wild card No. 1)San Francisco 49ers (10-4, wild card No. 2)Green Bay Packers (9-4-1; wild card No. 3)

In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-6); Carolina Panthers (7-7); Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)

Eliminated: Minnesota Vikings (6-8); Atlanta Falcons (5-9); New Orleans Saints (4-10); Washington Commanders (4-10); Arizona Cardinals (3-11); New York Giants (2-12)

Here’s the updated first-round order after Week 15 results, according to Tankathon, which calculates strength of schedule differently from the NFL:

New York Giants: 2-12 record; .536 strength of scheduleLas Vegas Raiders 2-12; .548 SOSTennessee Titans: 2-12; .576 SOSCleveland Browns: 3-11; .483 SOSNew York Jets: 3-11; .538 SOSArizona Cardinals: 3-11; .571 SOSNew Orleans Saints: 4-10; .494 SOSWashington Commanders: 4-10; .508 SOSCincinnati Bengals: 4-10; .521 SOSAtlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 5-9; .502 SOSKansas City Chiefs: 6-8; .519 SOSMinnesota Vikings: 6-8; .521 SOSMiami Dolphins: 6-7; .481 SOSDallas Cowboys: 6-7-1; .447 SOSBaltimore Ravens: 7-7; .500 SOSCarolina Panthers: 7-7; .519 SOSDetroit Lions: 8-6; .496 SOSIndianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-6; .530 SOSTampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-7; .519 SOSPittsburgh Steelers: 7-6; .508 SOSPhiladelphia Eagles: 9-5; .490 SOSHouston Texans: 9-5; .542 SOSGreen Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 9-4-1; .475 SOSBuffalo Bills: 10-4; .460 SOSChicago Bears: 10-4; .445 SOSLos Angeles Chargers: 10-4; .464 SOSSan Francisco 49ers: 10-4; .492 SOSJacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 10-4; .492 SOSNew England Patriots: 11-3; .374 SOSSeattle Seahawks: 11-3; .494 SOSLos Angeles Rams: 11-3; .521 SOSDenver Broncos: 12-2; .433 SOS

The Steelers final three games after tonight are as follows:

The Dolphins final three games after tonight are as follows:

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