The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for a cold night at home at Acrisure Stadium on Monday Night Football. The Miami Dolphins will be coming to town to face the Steelers in Week 15, setting the stage for a primetime matchup with major implications. For Pittsburgh, it has been an up-and-down season filled with highs, lows, and constant scrutiny, especially surrounding Head Coach Mike Tomlin. As the calendar turns toward the final stretch, every snap carries added weight, and the atmosphere in the Steel City is expected to reflect both the urgency and emotion of a fan base desperate for consistency.
Eric Espada / Getty Images
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick speaks with Head Coach Mike Tomlin during an away game.
That frustration boiled over in Week 13 during a loss to the Buffalo Bills, when Tomlin heard the home crowd chanting "Fire Tomlin" as the Steelers were dominated in the second half. It was a moment that captured the growing tension between expectations and results in Pittsburgh.
Tomlin has acknowledged the frustration from the fanbase, understanding where it comes from, but the reality remains that his team now sits at 7–6, back in the lead in the AFC North, with a chance to secure an eighth win at home on Monday night. For a team searching for momentum, this game represents an opportunity to steady the season and quiet some of the outside noise.
The matchup also brings added intrigue with a familiar face on the other sideline. Former Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will be part of the storyline after being traded to Miami, while Pittsburgh received tight end Jonnu Smith and defensive back Jalen Ramsey in return.
Ramsey recently spoke with Steelers reporter Chris Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the fanbase chanting for Tomlin to be fired, and he did not hold back. In blunt fashion, Ramsey called out Steeler Nation for what he described as sinful remarks about Tomlin, defending the coach and pushing back against the criticism. With emotions already running high, Monday night figures to be more than just another game under the lights.
"Me personally, I thought the chants were [expletive]," Ramsey said. "That’s comical, in my mind. That’s all I’ll say about that."
Something Ramsey's teammate, Jack Sawyer, said recently was in line with the safety's belief. It was short and poignant, and it’s likely what any player on the Steelers roster would say if asked that question. The only issue with hearing it from Ramsey is that he hasn’t been with the Steelers beyond the 2025 season.
He doesn’t fully understand that this fanbase has been starving for even a single playoff win since the 2016 season. A couple of things can be true at the same time: Tomlin is a great leader of men and has experienced tremendous regular-season success throughout the entirety of his professional career.
AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar
Steelers' Jalen Ramsey speaks with Mike Tomlin on the sideline during a home game in 2025.
However, he has struggled in the playoffs, especially in recent years. Tomlin’s last playoff win came during the 2016 season, and that’s simply too long for a fanbase that has come to expect deep postseason runs, Super Bowl appearances, and Lombardi Trophies.
The Steelers haven’t been legitimate Super Bowl contenders in quite some time. Fans are now trying to determine whether this season might finally be different with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. Of course, the frightening news surrounding TJ Watt’s lung injury doesn’t help that case. Still, the fanbase is thankful to know that Watt is doing well and on his way to recovery.
AP
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa sits on the field after a big hit to his head.
Steelers Will Need To Stop Miami's Running Game To Win In Week 15
On the field, the Steelers will have to slow down the Dolphins’ high-powered rushing attack on Monday night if they want to come away with a win. Pittsburgh hasn’t lost a home Monday Night Football game since 1991, and if they want to keep that trend alive while steering their season in the right direction, stopping the run will be critical.
Tua Tagovailoa has historically struggled in cold-weather games, but with De’Von Achane expected to be healthy, Miami has the offensive weapons to give the Steelers’ defense — especially without Watt — plenty of trouble.
What do you predict the final outcome of this game will be? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!
#SteelerNation
