Steelers Face Uphill Battle Against Red-Hot Dolphins Run Game in Frigid Monday Night Matchup
When the Miami Dolphins take the field at Acrisure Stadium on Monday night, they won’t just be battling the Pittsburgh Steelers-they’ll be taking on the elements, too. Forecasts are calling for temperatures around 20 degrees, a classic December chill along the banks of the three rivers. And while the cold might slow down some teams, don’t expect it to freeze out Miami’s surging ground game.
The Dolphins are coming in with one of the hottest rushing attacks in football. They've rattled off four straight games with over 160 rushing yards-their longest such streak since 1977.
Since Week 10, Miami has averaged a league-best 192.3 rushing yards per game. That’s not just productive-it’s dominant.
And it’s happening at the perfect time, as the Dolphins prepare for a potential playoff push.
At the heart of that rushing explosion is De’Von Achane, who’s been nothing short of electric this season. The numbers speak for themselves.
Achane leads all running backs with a 90.7 PFF run grade, and he’s averaging a staggering 4.10 yards after contact per attempt. That means even when defenders get a hand on him, he’s still churning out yardage.
He's forced 42 missed tackles-eighth-most in the league-and leads all backs in both 10+ yard runs (35) and 15+ yard runs (20). In other words: blink, and he’s gone.
Achane has piled up 1,126 rushing yards on 193 carries (5.8 yards per attempt) and added four rushing touchdowns. But he’s not just a threat on the ground. With 55 receptions for 383 yards and four more scores through the air, he's become a true dual-threat weapon in Mike McDaniel’s offense.
And that should have the Steelers concerned-very concerned.
Pittsburgh’s run defense has been reeling. Over the last two games, they’ve allowed more than 200 rushing yards in each, including a franchise-worst 249 yards surrendered at home to the Buffalo Bills.
Since Week 10, they’ve given up a league-high 785 rushing yards and are allowing the third-most per game (157). That’s not a trend you want to bring into a matchup with the most explosive rushing team in the NFL.
To make matters worse, the Steelers could be without their defensive cornerstone, All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who’s dealing with a lung injury. His absence would be a massive blow to a defense already struggling to contain the run.
Analyst Mina Kimes didn’t mince words when discussing the matchup on her podcast. “They have the highest percentage of explosive runs in the league right now,” Kimes said.
“Achane leads all backs in rush yards over expected per carry. The Steelers struggle with all of this, man.
I’d be worried if I’m Pittsburgh, with what this Dolphins’ offense is putting on tape.”
She’s not wrong. Miami’s run game isn’t just racking up yards-it’s creating chunk plays that flip the field and demoralize defenses. That’s a nightmare scenario for a Steelers unit that’s been gashed repeatedly and now faces a team that thrives on speed, misdirection, and yards after contact.
So while the cold weather might suggest a grind-it-out, low-scoring affair, the Dolphins have shown they can run the ball in any conditions-and against any defense. For Pittsburgh, the key to keeping this game competitive will be finding a way-any way-to slow down Achane and force Miami into less comfortable territory.
But if the Dolphins keep running the way they have been, it could be a long, cold night for the Steelers in their own backyard.