The Pittsburgh Steelers might’ve just flipped the script on their season - and they did it in style. In a convincing 28-15 win over the Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh looked like a team finally finding its identity, and more importantly, finding rhythm on both sides of the ball.
Let’s start with the obvious: this was the most complete game the Steelers have played all year. Offense, defense, and special teams all showed up - and for the first time, it felt like everything was clicking. Aaron Rodgers, who’s been steadily adjusting to life in black and gold, looked comfortable and in control, orchestrating the offense with the kind of poise we’ve come to expect from a future Hall of Famer.
Rodgers was surgical - completing 23 of 27 passes for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and zero turnovers. That’s the kind of efficiency that wins games in December.
But what really stood out wasn’t just the stat line - it was the way Pittsburgh ran their offense. Former NFL linebacker Manti Teʻo, now an analyst with NFL Network, pointed out a major shift in the Steelers’ approach on Good Morning Football.
“[Monday] night was the most 11 personnel I’ve ever seen the Steelers run,” Teʻo noted, referring to the formation that features one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers - a staple in Rodgers-led offenses over the years.
To put that into perspective: through the first 14 weeks, Pittsburgh used 11 personnel just 34% of the time. Against Miami?
That number jumped to 53%. That’s not just a tweak - that’s a philosophical shift.
And it looked like Rodgers was finally running his offense.
But what made this performance especially encouraging was that the Steelers didn’t lose their identity in the process. They still brought that trademark Pittsburgh grit - pounding the ball on the ground for 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
That balance was key. Rodgers may be steering the ship, but the Steelers haven’t forgotten how to punch you in the mouth.
“This is Aaron starting to implement his offense,” Teʻo said, “but still staying true to the Pittsburgh hard-nosed physical brand of football that we’ve been accustomed to seeing.”
That blend - Rodgers’ precision and Pittsburgh’s physicality - is what makes this version of the Steelers intriguing down the stretch. And it couldn’t be coming together at a better time.
Next up: a road trip to face the Detroit Lions, who, like Pittsburgh, are sitting at 8-6 and fighting for their postseason lives. It’s a high-stakes matchup, and oddsmakers have the Steelers as seven-point underdogs heading into the weekend. Detroit brings a different kind of challenge - one that will test just how far this Steelers offense has come.
Meanwhile, the AFC North picture is heating up. The 7-7 Baltimore Ravens are lurking just behind Pittsburgh in the standings and will host the 11-3 New England Patriots this week. Depending on how the next two weeks shake out, we could be staring down a Week 18 showdown between the Steelers and Ravens - a potential win-or-go-home clash with everything on the line.
But before we get there, Pittsburgh has to prove this wasn’t a one-off. Monday night showed what this team can be when all three phases show up. Now the question is: can they do it again - and again - when it matters most?
Because if Rodgers and this offense really have found their rhythm, the Steelers might not just be playoff-bound - they might be a problem.