The Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers outclassed the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, walking away with a 28-15 win that keeps them in control of the AFC North.
Miami struck first on a 54-yard Riley Patterson field goal before the Steelers finally got into the end zone with seconds remaining before the half, courtesy of a Connor Heyward one-yard rush. It was a lead they would never relinquish.
After the break, Rodgers found his gear, finding Marquez Valdes-Scantling to put Pittsburgh 14-3 up.
Pittsburgh tailback Kenneth Gainwell routinely punished the Miami D on the ground and through the air before Rodgers found wideout DK Metcalf, who muscled his way in for six.
Jonnu Smith extended the Steelers' lead at the top of the fourth with a 14-yard touchdown on the ground, before Tua Tagovailoa found Darren Waller twice to make the score respectable.
The loss eliminates Mike McDaniel's Dolphins, who, despite turning around what once looked like a disastrous season, now face difficult decisions as they retool for 2026 - the future of Tua chief among them.
With the win, Pittsburgh moved to 8-6, creating daylight between them and the 7-7 Ravens in 2nd, knowing that if they win out, they are in. Rodgers and Co. travel to Detroit to face the Lions in Week 16, before taking on the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.
Baltimore remains very much alive in the playoff chase and could yet secure a Wild Card spot, but their most realistic path to the playoffs is winning the division. However, with difficult games against the Patriots and Packers up next, they face an uphill task to catch and surpass Mike Tomlin's side.
Depending on how the results go in the next two weeks, it could be all eyes on Week 18, when the Ravens travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in what could be a season-defining moment.
