The Pittsburgh Steelers earned a 28–15 victory over the Miami Dolphins, improving their record to 8–6. Following the win, Aaron Rodgers addressed the locker room with a pointed message. Miami had entered the game riding a four-game winning streak, but Rodgers framed the moment differently, reminding the Steelers that it was an opportunity to seize, not a challenge to fear.

“I think after tonight, they won four straight games. They had a lot to play for,” Rodgers said. “Hopefully the belief is starting to pick up because it’s tough to play in the cold weather. And if we can take care of business, then we’re going to be hosting the game right here.”

Rodgers didn’t just speak about faith; he built it on the field as well. The veteran quarterback led his team on four consecutive scoring drives. Rodgers threw 23 out of 27 passes, with an 85 percent success rate.

The QB was playing with the composure of someone who knew exactly what he was doing. With this win, the Steelers also witnessed consecutive victories after a 2-game losing streak.

However, he did not have to carry this burden alone, as running back Kenneth Gainwell provided balance. He ended the game with a total of 126 yards. The offense as a whole mastered the flow of play, thus it allowed the Steelers’ defense to play aggressively.

Whatever hopes the Dolphins had in the playoffs literally melted away. The Dolphins had been practicing all week in the snow at Robert Morris University, a nearby facility, in an attempt to acclimate themselves to the cold weather conditions.

However, the Dolphins had no chance against Rodgers and the Steelers. The Dolphins did open an early 3-0 lead on a career-long 54-yard field goal by Riley Patterson, but once Pittsburgh got going, they had no way of keeping up.

De’Von Achane had 127 scrimmage yards, but he was done in mostly by the comeback portion of this game, in which Pittsburgh got touchdowns on four possessions in a row.

Steelers’ chances of making the playoffs

The Week 15 victory is a major confidence booster in making it to the postseason. NFL Next Gen Stats have Pittsburgh with a play-off opportunity in 2025, rating them a 61% chance, which is the sixth best in the list of those still in play-off races.

While it is no walkover, it is a clear indication, and Pittsburgh is certainly on the right side of it. A play-off appearance will be Pittsburgh’s third consecutive play-off series and will make it five play-off appearances in six years. Since then, Pittsburgh has not won a playoff game.

Since then, it has been a drought, which is continuing. Moreover, they are one victory away from making it six years running with a winning record. If Tomlin preserves a non-losing season in 2025, it would extend his streak to 19, which would remain behind Tom Landry (21) and tie Bill Belichick in the all-time list.

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A non-losing record in play-offs in 2025 will make it a remarkable 19 years in a row, second best behind Bill Belichick in NFL history, behind only the late Tom Landry.