Dolphins Embrace the Cold in Pittsburgh, Looking to Break Longstanding Chill Curse
The Miami Dolphins are leaning into the cold-literally-as they prepare for a Monday night showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in frigid conditions. With temperatures expected to dip below freezing, Miami made the rare move of flying north early and holding a full-speed practice in the snow on Saturday night.
The goal? Shake the stigma that this team can’t win when the mercury drops.
Historically, the Dolphins and cold weather haven’t mixed well. They’ve dropped 12 straight games when the temperature is under 40 degrees.
That’s not a stat you want hanging over your head heading into a December game in Pittsburgh. But this year’s team is trying to write a different story.
Head coach Mike McDaniel and his staff took a proactive approach, opting to hold the team’s final major practice session at Joe Walton Stadium on the campus of Robert Morris University-just outside Pittsburgh and right in the thick of a weekend snowstorm that dumped five to eight inches across the region. It wasn’t just for show. This was a calculated move, part of a plan that’s been in the works since the offseason.
“(Practicing in Pittsburgh on Saturday night) was something that was considered in the offseason,” McDaniel said. “The odd part of the schedule is a Monday night on the road.
It always feels like you’re so far removed from the last time you were on the football field. Doing it this way allows us to have our final full-speed practice about 48 hours from kickoff.”
That 48-hour window is key. It’s about rhythm, routine, and readiness.
And if you ask McDaniel, the added bonus of getting acclimated to the elements is just that-bonus. The real value is in maintaining consistency in how the team prepares, regardless of setting or weather.
But make no mistake, the cold is a factor. Miami’s recent history in chilly conditions has been brutal, and that stat line doesn’t lie.
The Dolphins know it. The Steelers know it.
Everyone watching knows it. That’s why this week’s preparation feels different.
It’s not just about X’s and O’s-it’s about mindset.
The Dolphins have shown signs that they’re not the same old team when it comes to physicality. Over their last four games, they’ve rushed for over 160 yards in each outing-the first time they’ve hit that mark in four straight games since the 1970s. That kind of ground game travels well, especially in cold-weather environments where passing can be tricky and ball security becomes paramount.
Meanwhile, the Steelers haven’t exactly been sitting back and sipping cocoa either. They’ve been practicing outdoors at Acrisure Stadium, embracing the December grind in their own backyard.
Pittsburgh knows how to play in these conditions-they’ve built an identity on it. But Miami is clearly trying to show that they can match that energy.
This Monday night clash isn’t just another late-season matchup-it’s a test of identity for the Dolphins. Can they finally shed the cold-weather curse? They’ve put in the work, they’ve made the adjustments, and now they’re stepping into the snow with purpose.
We’ll find out soon enough if that effort turns into a statement win-or if the cold streak continues.