The Steelers are officially in the driver’s seat. After a convincing 28–15 win over the Dolphins on Monday night, the Black and Gold have improved to 8–6. Therefore, they now hold a crucial one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens for the top spot in the division. It is the kind of late-season surge that defines NFL contenders.
While many pundits are already looking ahead to NFL odds week 16 to see how Pittsburgh stacks up against Detroit, it is worth pausing to appreciate the current momentum. In fact, this team is finding ways to win that few expected back in September. The victory over Miami kept a remarkable streak alive, as Pittsburgh remains unbeaten at home on Monday nights since 1992. The focus now shifts to how this roster, constructed on the fly, continues to defy expectations in a crowded NFL playoff picture.
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Rodgers Finds the Fountain of Youth
Aaron Rodgers is doing more than just managing the game. Rather, he is operating with surgical precision. Against the Dolphins, Rodgers became the oldest quarterback in league history to complete at least 85% of his passes in a single game. He finished 23 of 27 for 224 yards and two touchdowns, orchestrating scoring drives on four consecutive possessions.
The offensive success is largely due to a shift in philosophy. Rodgers is leaning heavily on short, quick throws that allow his playmakers to create after the catch. Two names stood out significantly in the Monday night triumph.
- Kenneth Gainwell was the engine of the offense, totaling 126 yards from scrimmage and hauling in a team-high seven receptions.
- D.K. Metcalf continued to be a red-zone threat, snagging a 28-yard touchdown that swung the momentum entirely in Pittsburgh’s favor.
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Roster Gambles Are Paying Off
General Manager Omar Khan and the front office took big swings this year. Moreover, those aggressive moves are the primary reason this team is in playoff contention. The roster overhaul has been substantial, yet the chemistry is undeniable.
Especially notable is how the “castoffs” are performing. National NFL coverage has started to highlight how these lower-cost additions are carrying the load. The trade for Metcalf in March and the massive June swap sending Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith have completely reshaped the team’s identity.
The latest additions of Kyle Dugger, Asante Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Adam Thielen have further solidified that the Steelers won’t take no for an answer when it comes to turning their postseason hopes around.
These were risky maneuvers, but the results on the field speak for themselves.
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The Defense Stands Tall Without Watt
The biggest storyline remains the defense’s resilience. To be sure, the situation with T.J. Watt is alarming. The star edge rusher is out indefinitely after suffering a collapsed lung during a dry-needling treatment. It is a bizarre and unfortunate setback. Still, the unit did not crumble.
Winning without Watt has historically been a struggle for this franchise. However, Monday marked only the second time in Watt’s career that the Steelers secured a victory in his absence. It proves that the defensive scheme can hold up even when the former Defensive Player of the Year is sidelined.
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Next Man Up in Detroit
The job is not finished. The injury report is crowded heading into the final stretch. It seems that the depth will be tested further in Detroit, as Nick Herbig and Isaac Seumalo are listed as questionable.
The Steelers have proven they can adapt. Consequently, they have transformed from a team with questions into a squad that controls its own fate. If the role players continue to perform at this level, a deep postseason run is not just a hope, but a realistic possibility.
