Dec. 12, 2025, 7:45 a.m. ET

With four straight wins, the Miami Dolphins have turned their season around. If the Dolphins beat the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday night, they’ll be .500 for the first time this season.

While the Steelers have a winning record, Miami has shown it has what it takes to get wins. The biggest hurdle may end up being that the Dolphins will have to travel to Pittsburgh for the prime-time game.

With edge rusher T.J. Watt potentially out Monday, Miami might be playing a team missing its best player. But that doesn’t mean the Dolphins don’t need to take the matchup seriously.

Here are five players who will be crucial for the Dolphins in their Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers:

RB De’Von Achane

De’Von Achane has shouldered the Miami offense all season; there’s no real reason to doubt his ability. But he doesn’t have an easy matchup in Pittsburgh.

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The Steelers aren’t afraid of playing a slow, low-scoring game, and they don’t often give up much on the ground. Pittsburgh allows the fourth fewest rushing yards per game in the league at 89.2 yards per game.

The great thing about Achane is even if his production in the run game is limited, he has the ability to help the passing game. With him exiting Sunday’s loss against the Jets early and practicing in a limited capacity so far this week, though, his status is in question for this Monday.

WR Jaylen Waddle

While Jaylen Waddle hasn’t had many tough matchups over the past few weeks, this week’s game presents more of a challenge.

Joey Porter Jr. is a solid outside corner, but he’s not the part of the defense that will be toughest for Waddle to overcome. Former teammate Jalen Ramsey is in the Pittsburgh secondary in the safety position.

Ramsey knows how Waddle wins reps, and should have plenty of chances to help Porter, or whoever ends up on Waddle. The receiver will need to try to persevere despite Ramsey’s physical play style.

C Aaron Brewer

Center Aaron Brewer is in the middle of a career year, and he’ll get a good test on Monday. Watt’s absence likely won’t affect him too much as an interior offensive linemane.

But he’ll still have to worry about Cameron Heyward. No matter how old Heyward gets, he continues to be a solid player. Miami will need Brewer to slow Heyward in his chances across from him.

With Cole Strange and Jonah Savaiinaea on the sides of Brewer, the Pittsburgh might try to draw up looks where Heyward can be moved away from Brewer. As the center, though, Brewer should be able to at least help on plenty of plays.

OLB Chop Robinson

While he has had a disappointing 2025 season, Chop Robinson could be an impact player Monday night.

Robinson started two weeks ago and came off the bench last week, but his play gives some hope that he could be coming back around to the level of play expected of him. He has 2.5 sacks over the past two weeks, and the Steelers could present a good matchup for Robinson.

Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers is possibly the least mobile quarterback in the league, and as one of the fastest edge rushers in the league, Robinson might have a few chances to make a play.

S Minkah Fitzpatrick

As a veteran leader for the Miami defense, Minkah Fitzpatrick has been a reliable presence for most of the season. This upcoming game could make for an emotional one, though.

Fitzpatrick spent years in the Steelers’ organization, and this will be his first time playing against his former team.

Pittsburgh doesn’t have an elite slot receiver, so Fitzpatrick’s matchup itself shouldn’t be an impossible task. But playing at the place he used to call home could make for an interesting factor.