The Pittsburgh Steelers are 8-6, riding a modest two-game win streak, and suddenly-despite all the familiar flaws-we’re paying attention again. Monday night’s 28-15 win over the Dolphins didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard, but it did something more important: it kept Pittsburgh in the thick of the AFC North race and reminded us why Aaron Rodgers, even at 42, still draws a crowd.
Let’s be clear-this version of the Steelers isn’t reinventing the wheel. They’re not blowing teams out or dazzling anyone with high-octane offense. But what they are doing is finding ways to win, and Rodgers, even with a diminished arm and limited mobility, still knows how to manage a game when it matters.
Against Miami, Rodgers was sharp and efficient, going 23-of-27 for 224 yards and two touchdowns. It wasn’t flashy, but it was vintage in its own right-especially his third-quarter strike to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a 19-yard touchdown that felt like a throwback to their Green Bay days.
In the freezing Pittsburgh night, with temperatures dipping below 20 degrees, Rodgers looked comfortable. He looked in control.
And that matters in December.
The Steelers offense isn’t built to explode-it’s built to survive. They’ve leaned into short throws and quick decisions, a smart adjustment for a quarterback who doesn’t move like he used to.
The pairing of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell in the backfield has been a quiet success. Both backs are reliable pass-catchers and have become safety valves for Rodgers, giving him easy completions and keeping the chains moving.
DK Metcalf, the team’s star wideout, was quiet early but came alive in the second half, hauling in a touchdown that showed the deep ball still exists in this offense-it just takes time to develop. And that’s the rub with this Steelers team: the big plays are there, but they come with patience, protection, and the right look. That’s not always easy to manufacture, especially against playoff-caliber defenses.
Then there’s Connor Heyward, the fullback-and younger brother of veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward-who has carved out a niche as the go-to guy in short-yardage situations. On Monday, he delivered in a handful of clutch moments, including recovering an onside kick that helped Pittsburgh avoid a late-game collapse. His contributions won’t show up in fantasy stats, but they’re the kind of gritty, unglamorous plays that win games in December.
And yes, Rodgers’ sideline mannerisms-hands on hips, watching from a few feet away as Heyward bulldozes for a first down-have become social media gold. But beyond the memes, there’s a sense that Rodgers is fully bought in, even if this offense isn’t built around his old-school gunslinger tendencies.
So where does this leave Pittsburgh? In a familiar spot: playoff-bound, perhaps, but with a ceiling that feels uncomfortably low.
They’ve already lost to the Bills and Chargers-two likely wild-card opponents-by a combined 34 points. And if the postseason started today, a No. 4 vs.
No. 5 matchup against Buffalo feels like the most probable outcome.
Could Rodgers pull off a playoff upset? Sure.
He’s still capable of moments that remind us why he’s a four-time MVP. But the reality is, the Steelers are still a team with offensive limitations, a quarterback who can’t extend plays like he used to, and a defense that’s solid but not dominant.
That’s a tough combination to take deep into January.
The final stretch won’t be easy. Pittsburgh closes the regular season with games against the Lions, Browns, and Ravens.
Baltimore, sitting at 7-7, is still very much in the division hunt, but their remaining slate-New England, Green Bay, and Pittsburgh-is no cakewalk either. The AFC North crown is still up for grabs, and every win down the stretch will matter.
If the Steelers do make it in, they’ll do so as a team that’s more intriguing than threatening. Rodgers brings the star power, the narrative, and the eyeballs. And that’s enough to make a wild-card weekend matchup must-watch television, even if the outcome feels inevitable.
But here’s the thing: in a league that thrives on drama, the Steelers are delivering just enough of it. Whether it’s Rodgers’ late-season renaissance, Heyward’s underdog moments, or Metcalf’s second-half sparks, there’s something compelling about this group. Maybe not Super Bowl-contender compelling, but compelling enough to keep us watching.
And in mid-December, with playoff stakes rising and storylines forming, that’s more than enough.