The Dolphins are unbeaten since the beginning of November. Over the course of a four-game winning streak, Miami has beaten the 9-4 Buffalo Bills, won an international game, and blew the doors off the Jets on the road in a game that was under 40 degrees at kickoff. Miami has picked up momentum with a physical brand of smashmouth football.
The Dolphins have checked a lot of boxes in the past month and a half, having won five of their last five games, but the job is not done yet. Miami will take their show on the road to frigid Pittsburgh to battle the Steelers under the primetime lights.
“We’re going to have to put a good work week together to go battle that team to try to get in the victory column, I know that for sure,” Head Coach Mike McDaniel said. “I’ve played them multiple times, and it’s always been that same story; you have to go earn a win, it will not be handed to you.”
The Steelers are coming off their biggest victory of the 2025 season, a 27-22 win in Baltimore. That result vaulted Pittsburgh to the top of the AFC North with a chance to put a stranglehold on the division race with just four games to go.
To beat Miami, the Steelers will need to call upon a next-man-up mentality. Andrus Peat was the third left tackle to start a game for Pittsburgh this season. He exited Sunday’s game and was replaced by Dylan Cook, who made his NFL debut. Cook appears in line to start, drawing a matchup with Dolphins outside linebacker Bradley Chubb.
Chubb has caught fire during Miami’s four-game winning streak. He has caused problems for opposing quarterbacks with 19 pressures, nine hits and 2.5 sacks.
The Steelers defensive side of the ball is also managing injuries. Star linebacker T.J. Watt has been ruled out for Sunday’s game. The seven-time Pro Bowler leads the Steelers with seven sacks this season.
Two defensive tackles are on injured reserve while rookie Derrick Harmon, who missed the last two games, could return. However, defensive tackles Keanu Benton and Yahya Black had to exit Sunday’s game with injuries; their statuses could be in question come Sunday.
The injuries have played a part in Pittsburgh’s ability to stop the run. The Ravens ran for 217 yards against the Steelers on Sunday while Buffalo, the week prior, rushed for 249 yards.
Dolphins running back De’Von Achane was limited in practice this week after leaving Sunday’s win over the Jets with a ribs injury. Achane ran for 92 yards before making way for second-year running back Jaylen Wright, who ran for 107 yards on 24 carries.
“He’s been on a heater in practice for the past couple of weeks,” McDaniel said of Wright. “I’ve had in-game moments where some of my most trusted players that aren’t him have been motivated enough to tell me, ‘Hey, maybe we can get Jaylen Wright the ball,’ based on their recognition of where he’s at and how he’s been prepared.
The Dolphins lead the NFL in rushing yards per game with 192.3 since the team’s Week 10 victory over the Bills.
This game has a little bit of everything. A Monday Night Football match up, December football, frigid temperatures and two teams who are prided on their physicality fighting for their seasons to remain alive. A Dolphins win would even their record at 7-7, marking just the fifth time in NFL history that a team recovers to reach a .500 winning percentage after losing seven of the first nine games of the season.
Make sure to check out the Injury Report and the team’s official social media accounts 90 minutes before kickoff to see who is active for the game.
Watch the game live on Monday, December 15 at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, and listen on the Dolphins Radio Network and view the Game Center for the latest coverage.
