The Pittsburgh Steelers earned a blowout win against a red-hot Miami Dolphins team on Monday night during Week 15. The Steelers kept their undefeated home streak on Monday Night Football alive as well. With this win, the Steelers are now in the driver's seat to win the AFC North for the first time since the 2020 season. They got contributions from both sides of the ball. Pittsburgh ran the rock for 135 yards, thanks to 80 rushing yards from Kenneth Gainwell, and the defense held the Dolphins' rushing attack to just 63 yards. Superstar running back De'Von Achane only had 60 yards. The story of the night, however, was the Steelers' passing attack.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throwing pass in Week 15 win vs Miami Dolphins
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had another great game against the Dolphins, as he was 23/27 for 224 yards and two touchdowns. He even threw a TD to his old Green Bay Packers teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
However, Valdes-Scantling wasn't the only new receiver to have an impact on the game. Adam Thielen, who has been with the Steelers all of two weeks, was wide receiver two (WR2) in the snap count for a second week in a row, logging 38 snaps. Although Thielen only had one catch, he made some key blocks to allow the Steelers to rush for 135 yards.
During his Tuesday press conference, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about Thielen and his impact.
"Man, he's excited to be here; he's expressed that. He's a hand-in-the-pile guy," Tomlin said. "I thought he was very active in the run game last night, for example."
The Steelers are beginning to turn the page on offense. They are now deploying the veteran receivers more often, leaving younger receivers Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson in more minor roles. Wilson is the most notable, as he has been inactive for the last two games.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson looks on during a game.
Austin had a big third-down catch against the Baltimore Ravens, but had none against the Dolphins; he only had one target. It does not appear the veterans will be going anywhere as long as the offense continues to produce at this level from here on out.
Tomlin was asked about having the veterans and how it affects the timing of the passing attack.
'You know, I just think that's the benefit of having veteran guys," Tomlin explained.
Can The Steelers Keep Up Strong Play?
The Steelers' offense is getting hot after two stellar performances from Rodgers. The passing game has looked crisper as they get the $35 million man, DK Metcalf, more involved. However, can they keep this up? The run game had gone stagnant before Monday night's contest, but it found its groove against the Dolphins. The Dolphins rank 27th in run defense, so the Steelers certainly exploited a weakness.
With the lack of a passing attack, teams were committing to stop the Steelers' run, daring them to pass. Now that seems to be changing, using the pass game to open up the run. The Steelers have begun using the middle of the field, something seemingly forbidden in games and seasons past.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws to wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) during a win over the Cleveland Browns during the 2025 season in Week 6.
With the Steelers' offense starting to evolve and find its game, there's no reason to believe they can't enter the playoffs as one of the hottest teams. They have a tough matchup in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions, Aaron Rodgers' last revenge game. He's played mostly well in his previous revenge games, including Week 1 versus the New York Jets. If he keeps up his high-level play, look out for the Steelers to make a deep run into the postseason.
What do you think? Is the playing veterans mentality going to pay off for the Steelers? Can Aaron Rodgers keep playing at this level? Will the run game continue to be sustainable? Let us know in the comments below.
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