Aaron Rodgers Leads Steelers Past Dolphins 28-15/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Aaron Rodgers delivered a vintage performance in freezing Pittsburgh as the Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-15, staying atop the AFC North. Rodgers completed 85% of his passes, leading four straight touchdown drives. Miami’s playoff hopes ended as Pittsburgh improved to 8-6.
Steelers vs Dolphins Recap: Quick Looks
- Aaron Rodgers completed 23 of 27 passes for 224 yards and 2 TDs.
- Steelers scored touchdowns on four straight drives in the second half.
- Miami was eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.
- Rodgers became the oldest QB to complete 85%+ of passes in a game.
- Kenneth Gainwell totaled 126 yards, DK Metcalf caught a TD.
- Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa threw 2 late TDs and 1 INT.
- Dolphins had -20 yards of offense in the third quarter.
- Pittsburgh played without T.J. Watt, out with a collapsed lung.
- Asante Samuel Jr. recorded his first interception with Pittsburgh.
- Steelers remain perfect at home on Monday nights since 1992.
Deep Look
Rodgers Freezes Out Dolphins as Steelers Stay Hot in AFC North
In icy conditions reminiscent of his Green Bay days, 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers turned back the clock Monday night, guiding the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 28-15 victory over the Miami Dolphins. With clinical efficiency, Rodgers helped the Steelers maintain their grip on the AFC North lead, while simultaneously extinguishing Miami’s fading playoff hopes.
Rodgers completed 85% of his passes — 23-of-27 for 224 yards and two touchdowns — becoming the oldest quarterback in NFL history to hit that accuracy mark in a single game. His short-passing approach worked to perfection against a Dolphins defense unable to adjust, and the Steelers offense capitalized with four consecutive touchdown drives.
Veteran Composure in Frigid Conditions
The weather felt like Green Bay, and Rodgers responded with his most composed performance of the season. He found comfort in the cold, distributing the ball efficiently while avoiding risky throws. Rodgers connected for touchdowns with two familiar targets: a 19-yard strike to former Packers teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and a 28-yard pass to DK Metcalf, who muscled past Dolphins defender Minkah Fitzpatrick on the way to the end zone.
“I think he’s the best quarterback to ever play this game,” Valdes-Scantling said. “I don’t care if he’s 65 — he can still spin it.”
Rodgers spread the ball to multiple playmakers, including running back Kenneth Gainwell, who led the team with seven catches and added 126 total yards. The rhythm Rodgers created allowed Pittsburgh to control the clock and outpace a Dolphins team that failed to adjust after a slow start.
Steelers Win Without Watt
Perhaps even more impressive than the offense was the fact that Pittsburgh earned just its second win in 13 games without star linebacker T.J. Watt, who is sidelined indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair a collapsed lung. In Watt’s absence, the Steelers defense stepped up.
Veteran captain Cam Heyward notched one of four Pittsburgh sacks and paid tribute to Watt by attempting his signature sack celebration.
“I probably didn’t get my leg high enough,” joked Heyward, “but it was for T.J.”
Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who joined Pittsburgh’s practice squad in October after neck surgery, picked off Tua Tagovailoa in the first half to stall a Miami drive — his first interception with the team.
“You can’t take any of it for granted,” Samuel said. “Every hard day, every long day — it’s all part of the journey.”
Dolphins’ Playoff Hopes Dashed
Miami came into the night riding a four-game winning streak, having clawed back from a 1-6 start. But any momentum evaporated in the bitter cold of Pittsburgh. Despite practicing in snowy conditions at nearby Robert Morris University, the Dolphins never found their footing.
Tua Tagovailoa managed 254 yards and two late touchdowns but also threw his league-leading 15th interception. His third-quarter struggles were part of a broader team collapse — the Dolphins posted negative yardage in the third frame and failed to challenge Pittsburgh’s defense until the game was out of reach.
With the loss, Miami falls to 6-8 and is officially out of playoff contention. The Dolphins have now lost every game in which the kickoff temperature was below 40 degrees — a streak that continued Monday night.
“It’s disappointing,” said Tagovailoa. “We made things harder on ourselves by how we started the season.”
McDaniel’s Future Uncertain
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel may face questions about his future following another missed postseason. While Miami’s recent surge had temporarily stabilized his position, the inability to deliver a consistent offense — especially on the road and in cold conditions — has frustrated both fans and ownership.
“We have three more opportunities with this team,” McDaniel said. “The character of this locker room has been tested all year. I expect us to bounce back.”
Injury Updates
- Dolphins: Rookie running back Ollie Gordon II exited in the second quarter with an ankle injury. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick left in the third with a calf issue.
- Steelers: Left guard Isaac Seumalo left the game with a triceps injury. Outside linebacker Nick Herbig was evaluated late for a hamstring issue.
Looking Ahead
- Dolphins (6-8): Host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, now playing for pride and evaluation.
- Steelers (8-6): Travel to face the Detroit Lions, hoping to maintain their division lead with three games remaining.
As Christmas approaches, the Steelers look like a team with momentum and a chance to push into the postseason — powered by a future Hall of Famer who’s still finding ways to win.
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