The Miami Dolphins are heating up at just the right time, and they’re getting some key reinforcements as they prepare for a high-stakes Monday Night Football clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15. Both teams are clinging to playoff hopes, and with the national spotlight shining bright, this one’s shaping up to be a battle of grit, speed, and who can land the final punch.
Dolphins Get a Boost: Achane Cleared and Ready to Fly
Let’s start with the good news out of Miami: De’Von Achane’s MRI came back clean, and that’s a big deal. The rookie running back has been electric during the Dolphins’ recent surge, and he’s quickly becoming one of the most dynamic weapons in Mike McDaniel’s offense.
Over the past four weeks, Achane has been running wild - literally. His yards per carry?
Try these on for size: 7.9, 5.7, 6.1, and a jaw-dropping 13.1. Yes, those numbers came against some struggling run defenses, but guess what?
The Steelers haven’t exactly been a brick wall lately either. They just gave up 249 rushing yards to Buffalo, then 217 to Baltimore.
And now they’re staring down a Miami team that just gashed the Jets for 239 on the ground - with two backs nearly hitting the 100-yard mark.
Achane’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He’s not just fast - he’s elusive, smart, and sees the field like a veteran. Head coach Mike McDaniel praised the rookie’s ability to avoid direct hits, a subtle but important sign of elite field vision.
“What I noticed from his college days was that he was never taking hits directly,” McDaniel said. “That means the game is slow for him. That’s a skill - not just being fast, but knowing how to avoid contact while still gaining yards.”
Achane’s work ethic is clearly paying off, and he knows it.
“It means a lot,” Achane said. “It just shows the hard work that I put in, that me and my team put in. It’s just a stepping stone of mine, and we’ve got to keep moving forward.”
With Achane healthy and the Dolphins’ ground game rolling, the Steelers’ defense is going to have its hands full trying to slow down Miami’s outside zone scheme - especially if they overcommit and get caught out of position.
Steelers Look to Air It Out - Rodgers, Metcalf Eye Big Night
On the other side, the Steelers are coming off a gutsy 27-22 win over the Ravens - a game that took its toll physically, but may have sparked something offensively. Quarterback Rodgers, who had struggled to consistently push the ball downfield this season, finally broke through against Buffalo. And now, he’s looking to build on that momentum.
The Dolphins rank 12th in the league in pass defense, giving up just over 200 yards per game. But their run defense? That’s a different story - they sit 25th in the NFL, and that could open the door for some play-action opportunities.
Rodgers hinted at that approach after last week’s win, referencing the first play of the game - a deep shot downfield.
“(Arthur Smith) wanted to be aggressive on the first play,” Rodgers said. “You guys were talking about we hadn’t completed a pass over 20 yards in a while. We took a shot.”
It worked. And it might be the blueprint again this week.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin emphasized the importance of mindset when it comes to attacking downfield.
“It’s a mentality thing, particularly as the road gets narrow,” Tomlin said. “But also, the schematics are a component of it. We knew we would have opportunities.”
Receiver Calvin Austin III echoed that, saying the Steelers were able to manipulate the Ravens’ coverage and force man-to-man looks they could exploit.
“Sometimes, it’s a matter of taking what the defense gives you,” Austin said. “Sometimes it’s a matter of forcing the defense to get into certain looks we can take advantage of.”
That brings us to D.K. Metcalf.
The big-bodied receiver has been relatively quiet this season, with just two 100-yard games and one near-miss at 95. But against the Ravens, he stepped up.
And with the Steelers needing a spark, they’ll likely dial up several deep shots his way - at least three, if the game plan holds.
Metcalf is dealing with a minor injury, but Tomlin doesn’t expect it to impact his availability for the game.
“I don't think it's going to jeopardize his availability at all,” Tomlin said. “But it may limit his practice time early in the week.
Thankfully, he's fine. I'm appreciative of our medical staff and how quickly they acted.”
If Metcalf gets loose early, it could open up the entire offense. The Dolphins will have to choose between stacking the box to slow the run or keeping extra help over the top to contain Metcalf. Either way, Rodgers will have chances to make plays.
Prediction: Dolphins 24, Steelers 20
This one feels like it’s going to come down to execution in the fourth quarter. The Dolphins have been playing with confidence and rhythm - especially on the ground. The Steelers are still trying to find consistency, but they’ve shown they can win ugly.
Miami’s offense has the edge in explosiveness, and with Achane cleared to play, they’ve got the kind of game-breaker who can tilt the field in one play. If he gets going early, it could be a long night for Pittsburgh’s defense.
Give the nod to the Dolphins in a close one - 24-20 - as they keep their playoff hopes alive and continue their late-season push.