2025 Steelers Offseason Recall: Steelers found their groove in primetime rout of Dolphins

Steel City Underground presents post-game takeaways in our Steelers Offseason Recall series, revisiting key moments from the 2025 season and how they shaped the year that followed.

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t just beat the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football: they delivered one of their most complete performances of the season.

In a game with postseason implications for both teams, Pittsburgh controlled the clock, dominated on the ground, and watched its defense overwhelm Miami despite missing several key starters.

What had looked like a difficult matchup entering the week instead became a statement victory. Aaron Rodgers played some of his best football of the season, the offense finally found balance, and several unlikely contributors delivered career moments as the Steelers rolled to a 28-15 victory that eliminated the Dolphins from playoff contention.

Here’s a look back at one of Pittsburgh’s most impressive wins of 2025.

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Aaron Rodgers turned back the clock

Rodgers delivered arguably his finest performance of the season under the primetime lights.

The veteran completed 23 of his 27 pass attempts, an 85.2% completion rate, for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and a 125.9 passer rating while spreading the ball to nine different receivers.

More importantly, he directed four consecutive touchdown drives as the Steelers finally found an offensive rhythm after weeks of inconsistency. Behind an offensive line that lost Isaac Seumalo during the game and relied on Dylan Cook and Spencer Anderson on the left side, Rodgers remained poised throughout the evening.

Rodgers’ command of the offense helped Pittsburgh win the time-of-possession battle, holding the football for 33:33 while running 62 offensive plays compared to Miami’s 42. It also marked the first time since 2018 that the Steelers had scored touchdowns on four straight offensive possessions.

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The running game finally found balance

For one of the few times all season, the Steelers committed to the run: and it paid off. Pittsburgh rushed 32 times compared to just 27 pass attempts, finishing with 135 rushing yards, their third-highest total of the season.

Kenneth Gainwell led the way with 80 yards on 13 carries, highlighted by a 38-yard burst down the Miami sideline that energized the offense. Jaylen Warren, despite reportedly waking up ill and receiving fluids before kickoff, still added 33 yards on 12 carries.

The balanced attack prevented Miami from focusing solely on D.K. Metcalf, while offseason additions Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling helped stretch the field even though they combined for only two receptions.

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The tight ends made NFL history

One of the night’s most unusual storylines came from Pittsburgh’s tight ends. Connor Heyward was repeatedly used as the ball carrier in short-yardage situations, eventually scoring on one of those attempts.

Later in the fourth quarter, former Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith lined up in the backfield and raced 14 yards for another rushing touchdown.

The pair became the first two tight ends in NFL history to score rushing touchdowns in the same game, adding another memorable chapter to one of the season’s most creative offensive performances.

The defense answered without its stars

The Steelers entered the game without T.J. Watt and Derrick Harmon, creating legitimate concern against a Dolphins offense that had been running the football effectively for weeks. Instead, Pittsburgh produced one of its best defensive performances of the year.

The Steelers limited Miami to just 63 rushing yards, with De’Von Achane accounting for 60 of them.

The Dolphins managed only three points until late in the fourth quarter as Pittsburgh consistently forced difficult situations. Miami converted just 2-of-8 third downs while punting four times, and Tua Tagovailoa was sacked four times by Payton Wilson, Esezi Otomewo, Cameron Heyward, and former Dolphin Jalen Ramsey.

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New faces made immediate impacts

Asante Samuel Jr., who had signed with Pittsburgh in November after recovering from back surgery, intercepted Tagovailoa in the opening quarter during his first start in over a year. (It was also his first interception as a Steeler.)

Otomewo recorded his first sack of the season, while Jonnu Smith scored his first rushing touchdown.

Those contributions highlighted the roster depth the Steelers had developed late in the season and showed how quickly newcomers had become meaningful contributors.

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Final thoughts

The victory pushed the Steelers to 8-6 while preserving its lead over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.

More importantly, it provided a blueprint for what the Steelers looked like when every phase complemented the others. Rodgers efficiently controlled the offense, the running game dictated the pace, and the defense consistently put Miami behind the chains despite several key injuries.

It was the type of complete team performance Pittsburgh had been searching for throughout much of the season… and one that arrived at exactly the right time as the playoff race reached its final weeks.