The Pittsburgh Steelers maintained their AFC North lead on \u201cMonday Night Football.\u201d The Miami Dolphins will now wait for the offseason.<\/p>\n
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes and the Pittsburgh defense stifled Miami\u2019s offense for much of the game as the Steelers defeated the Dolphins 28-15<\/a>\u00a0at Acrisure Stadium on Monday night.<\/p>\n The Steelers are 8-6, one game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens (7-7) in the AFC North. The Dolphins are 6-8 and were eliminated from the playoff race<\/a>.<\/p>\n No Watt, no problem for Steelers defense<\/p>\n The Steelers\u2019 run defense was under the microscope. The Dolphins had averaged a league-high 192 rushing yards per game since Week 10. Over that same span, no team had surrendered more rushing yards than the Steelers.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh was also without star outside linebacker T.J. Watt \u2014 recovering from a partially collapsed lung sustained during a dry needling treatment \u2014 and rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (a key run defender).<\/p>\n After allowing 249 rushing yards to the Bills and 217 to the Ravens over their last two games, the Steelers\u2019 defense limited the Dolphins to 63. It was Miami\u2019s lowest rushing output since Week 5. \u2014 Mike DeFabo, Steelers beat writer<\/p>\n Roster moves at WR and DB pay off<\/p>\n The Steelers\u2019 receiving corps has undergone a makeover in recent weeks. Adam Thielen was claimed off waivers and Marquez Valdes-Scantling was signed to the active roster after spending several weeks getting up to speed on the practice squad. The additions caused second-year receiver Roman Wilson to become a healthy scratch in back-to-back games.<\/p>\n On Monday, the shakeup paid off. Rodgers connected with one of his \u201cfavorite\u201d teammates, Valdes-Scantling, to open up a 14-3 lead early in the second half. Rodgers and Valdes-Scantling played together in Green Bay.<\/p>\n In a similar way, the Steelers have remade their depth chart at cornerback, releasing Darius Slay and promoting James Pierre to a starting role. With Pierre out, Asante Samuel Jr. started his first game as a Steeler. On the Dolphins\u2019 second possession, Samuel reeled in his first interception in a new uniform. \u2014 DeFabo<\/p>\n WHAT A THROW. WHAT A CATCH. \ud83e\udd2f@dkm14<\/a> powers his way in for six! #ProBowlVote<\/a> <\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf2 Stream on NFL+: https:\/\/t.co\/szceXBjRdr<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/3KPVI88IFb<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Steelers win \u2018middle eight\u2019 to take control<\/p>\n The Steelers often talk about winning the \u201cmiddle eight\u201d \u2014 the final four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half. They did exactly that to take a 14-3 lead.<\/p>\n Tight end Connor Heyward converted a tush push in the closing seconds of the first half. Then on the Steelers\u2019 first possession of the second half, Rodgers threw to Valdes-Scantling for a touchdown.<\/p>\n From there, the Steelers were in control. They scored touchdowns on their next two possessions \u2014 one from DK Metcalf and one from Jonnu Smith. Those four consecutive touchdown drives turned a rock fight into a blowout. \u2014 DeFabo<\/p>\n Kenneth Gainwell shows his versatility<\/p>\n When the Steelers signed Kenneth Gainwell to a one-year contract this offseason, he appeared to be a low-cost depth addition. As this season has unfolded, he\u2019s become one of their key pieces on offense. That was especially true Monday. Gainwell, who has a nice feel for zone runs and has the versatility to run routes like a receiver, racked up 80 rushing yards on 13 carries and added seven receptions for 46 yards. \u2014 DeFabo<\/p>\n Dolphins\u2019 offense goes cold<\/p>\n Miami may have practiced in the snow<\/a> on Sunday in Pittsburgh to prepare, but its offense still went cold.<\/p>\n