Monday Night Football Preview: Dolphins vs. Steelers - A Clash of Playoff Hopefuls with Momentum and Firepower
Week 15’s Monday Night Football matchup brings us a game that suddenly carries serious playoff implications. The Miami Dolphins, once left for dead at 2-7, have ripped off four straight wins and five of their last six to claw their way back to 6-7.
On the other side, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 7-6 after gutting out a gritty 27-22 win over the Ravens. Both teams are alive in the AFC playoff race, and both are trending in the right direction-setting the stage for a prime-time showdown with everything on the line.
Let’s break it down.
Miami’s Ground Game Is Heating Up - And So Is De’Von Achane
The Dolphins just got a major boost with good news on the injury front: De’Von Achane’s MRI came back clean. That’s huge. With Achane cleared to play, Miami’s already-explosive run game becomes even more dangerous.
And let’s be clear-Achane hasn’t just been good lately; he’s been electric. Over the past four games, he’s averaging a jaw-dropping 8.2 yards per carry.
That includes individual game averages of 7.9, 5.7, 6.1, and a ridiculous 13.1 yards per tote. Sure, those numbers came against some soft run defenses-but guess who’s been struggling to stop the run lately?
Yep, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh has been gashed on the ground in back-to-back weeks, giving up 249 rushing yards to Buffalo and another 217 to Baltimore. Now they face a Dolphins team that just ran for 239 yards against the Jets and nearly had two 100-yard rushers in the same game. The matchup leans heavily in Miami’s favor here.
Head coach Mike McDaniel spoke glowingly about Achane’s growth, not just in terms of skill but mentality.
“You’re not seeing a player just with skill,” McDaniel said. “He’s trying to be great. That work ethic tied to the skill set-it’s exciting.”
McDaniel also pointed out something that often goes overlooked with speed backs: vision and spatial awareness.
“He was never taking hits directly in college,” McDaniel added. “That means the game is slow for him.
That’s a skill-avoiding direct tackles. It’s not just about speed.
It’s about knowing how to move through space.”
Achane echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the work behind the breakout.
“It means a lot,” he said. “It just shows the hard work that I put in, that me and my team put in. It’s just a stepping stone, and we’ve got to keep moving forward.”
If the Steelers can’t shore up their run defense-and fast-Achane could be in for another monster night.
Steelers’ Offense Finding Rhythm Behind Rodgers and Metcalf
While the Dolphins’ offense is surging on the ground, the Steelers are starting to find their groove through the air. Quarterback Rodgers is coming off his best game of the season, finally pushing the ball downfield with confidence. That’s something Pittsburgh had been missing for much of the year.
Last week against the Bills, Rodgers opened the game with a deep shot and never looked back. It was a clear sign of a more aggressive approach, something head coach Mike Tomlin said was intentional.
“It’s a mentality thing,” Tomlin said. “Particularly as the road gets narrow.
But also, the schematics are a component of it. We knew we would have opportunities.”
Rodgers’ willingness to take shots downfield helped unlock receiver D.K. Metcalf, who had one of his best performances of the season. Metcalf has only two 100-yard games this year, plus a near-miss with 95 yards, but last week he looked like the game-changer Pittsburgh needs him to be.
Receiver Calvin Austin III explained the shift in approach.
“Sometimes it’s about taking what the defense gives you,” Austin said. “Other times, it’s about forcing them into certain looks we can exploit. Last week was a bit of both.”
Expect Rodgers to continue pushing the envelope. The Dolphins rank 12th in the league against the pass, giving up just over 200 yards per game.
But their run defense is a different story-they’re 25th in the NFL. That sets up a classic play-action opportunity.
If Miami sells out to stop the run, Rodgers will have chances to go over the top.
Look for him to take at least three deep shots to Metcalf. If even one connects, it could open the floodgates for a big night from the Steelers’ top target.
Metcalf’s Health Worth Watching, But Steelers Expect Him to Play
There was some concern about Metcalf’s availability after the Ravens game, but Tomlin made it clear he expects his star receiver to suit up.
“I don't think it's going to jeopardize his availability at all,” Tomlin said. “It may limit him in practice early in the week, but he’s fine. I’m appreciative of our medical staff and how quickly they acted.”
That’s good news for Pittsburgh, because they’ll need every bit of firepower to keep pace with Miami’s offense.
Prediction: Dolphins 24, Steelers 20
This one’s shaping up to be a close, physical contest with both teams fighting for playoff positioning. The Steelers are banged up and coming off a tough, emotional win over a division rival. The Dolphins, meanwhile, are riding a hot streak and getting healthier at the right time.
If Achane is even close to full strength, Miami’s rushing attack could be too much for a Pittsburgh defense that’s been leaking yards on the ground. And while Rodgers and Metcalf have the potential to hit big plays, the Dolphins’ defense has been stingy against the pass.
It might come down to who can control the pace-and right now, Miami’s ground game gives them the edge.
Final score prediction: Dolphins 24, Steelers 20.