- Steelers discover a groove. Pittsburgh constructed on a gritty Week 14 win over rival Baltimore by dominating a frigid contest towards the Dolphins in a vogue that match its identification however had been removed from frequent for a lot of 2025. The Steelers dealt with the main points higher than their opponent, fully shut down Miami’s offense and finally broke by means of offensively by committing to an aggressive method that included a number of fourth-down conversions and a willingness to let Aaron Rodgers prepare dinner. Rodgers adopted up arguably his finest exhibiting as a Steeler with one other extremely efficient efficiency, finishing 23 of 27 passes for 2 landing passes and blowing open a recreation that gave the impression to be destined for a detailed end and as a substitute proved to be a runaway win. This does not imply the Steelers have solved their issues — look to Miami’s Week 7 give up to the lowly Browns for proof that the Dolphins aren’t a correct measuring stick — nevertheless it’s encouraging to see them piece collectively two sturdy performances.
- Dolphins proceed to wrestle within the chilly. Getting into Monday evening, Miami had misplaced 13 straight video games that kicked off with a temperature beneath 40 levels. The Dolphins took the sector with a transparent intent to set a bodily tone in Pittsburgh, however that was the most effective they may produce all evening. Their execution was only a hair off or half a second behind, their hard-hitting fashion ended up being their downfall (see: 12 missed tackles by means of the primary 45 minutes) and their offense produced little of something, particularly as soon as the Steelers took the lead. By the top of the third quarter, the sport regarded eerily just like their no-show efficiency in a wild-card loss to the Chiefs in a frigid Kansas Metropolis in January 2024. Frankly, this was a lot worse: Pittsburgh outgained Miami 163 to negative-20 — sure, negative-20 — within the third quarter, incomes 9 first downs to Miami’s zero. The Steelers almost doubled up the Dolphins in time of possession getting into the fourth quarter, informing the viewing viewers that it may settle for this recreation was certainly over with 1 / 4 to play. Months can move, faces can change, however these Dolphins — and particularly their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa — nonetheless cannot overcome the weather.
- Gainwell deserves some love. Whether or not it is within the operating or passing recreation, no Steeler has been extra constant by means of the second half of the season than Kenneth Gainwell, so it was solely proper that he was afforded the chance to point out off his skills on the nationwide stage Monday evening. Gainwell was the driving drive that powered the Steelers by means of their preliminary brick wall towards the cruising pace they maintained for the remainder of the evening, main the Steelers in receiving with six catches for 41 yards within the first half and accounting for 69 of their 163 third-quarter yards. Positive, his teammates savored the glory of discovering the top zone, however Pittsburgh may by no means discover the rhythm it later loved if not for Gainwell main the cost — and it definitely wasn’t the primary instance of him doing so in 2025. These searching for a flexible again may need to try him on the open market in 2026 — if he makes it there.
- Miami’s successful streak fizzles out in predictable vogue. The Dolphins have been authoring one of many extra pleasantly shocking late-season finishes, getting into Week 15 on a four-game successful streak and nonetheless clinging to dwindling playoff hopes. We have been reminded of why they have been on this place Monday evening. Miami’s latest successes could possibly be largely credited to operating again De’Von Achane‘s scorching stretch that included three 120-plus-yard dashing performances within the final 4 contests and a protection that appeared to successfully reset following Halloween, limiting opponents to lower than 20 factors in every of its final 4 outings. Neither delivered Monday evening, shifting accountability again to the shoulders of Tagovailoa, a quarterback whose future was already unsure by the midpoint of 2025. Within the easiest of phrases, Tagovailoa flopped within the highlight, throwing for a paltry 65 yards by means of the primary three quarters and proving to be ineffective, if not fully misplaced. He ended a promising early drive by throwing a horrid interception, then failed to steer the Dolphins out of the opening they’d dug for themselves over the second and third quarters, discovering a semblance of rhythm solely after Miami was trailing by 25 factors within the fourth quarter. It was simply the most recent instance of why Tagovailoa’s outlook is murky approaching 2026 and could be one of many last items of proof within the case towards retaining him for the long run.
- Rodgers comfortable to have some veterans alongside for the journey. It has been identified for a while that Rodgers prefers acquainted faces in his receiving corps (keep in mind how a lot he disliked throwing to Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs on the finish of his Packers tenure?), so it was no shock to see him escape a large grin after he related together with his previous pal, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, for a 19-yard landing early within the third quarter. Adam Thielen can also be within the combine now, and whereas Thielen solely completed with one catch for 7 yards — and Thielen and Valdes-Scantling mixed for simply two catches — their presence appears to have eased Rodgers’ typically testy nature. Finishing 85% of his passes in a runaway win helps, too, however will probably be fascinating to see if the roles of Valdes-Scantling and/or Thielen enhance in significance over the ultimate three weeks. If the final two video games — two contests wherein Rodgers has regarded his finest — are any indicator, their arrivals might need occurred on the good time.
Subsequent Gen Stats perception from Dolphins-Steelers (by way of NFL Professional): Aaron Rodgers completed 17 of 18 for 173 yards and each of his touchdowns on throws between the numbers, recording a 94.4% completion proportion, his highest in a recreation since Week 14, 2016.
NFL Analysis: Monday evening’s contest featured the primary occasion in NFL historical past wherein two tight ends (Connor Heyward and Jonnu Smith) rushed for a landing in the identical recreation.
Leave a Reply