Pittsburgh Steelers Eliminate Miami Dolphins from Playoff Contention

In a decisive matchup, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-15, effectively eliminating Miami from playoff contention. The Steelers secured their position atop the AFC North with this victory, improving their record to 8-6.

According to Fox News, the Steelers scored four straight touchdowns for the first time in seven years, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers completing 23 of 27 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Pittsburgh's offense was bolstered by running back Kenneth Gainwell, who contributed 126 total yards.

The Dolphins, who fell to 6-8 after this loss, had previously enjoyed a four-game winning streak. Miami's quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed 22 of 28 passes for 254 yards but threw his NFL-leading 15th interception during the game.

According to the New York Post, Miami's inability to perform in cold weather continued as Tagovailoa's record in games under 40 degrees dropped to 0-6. Coach Mike McDaniel expressed disappointment over the team's performance, particularly in the second half, where the Dolphins allowed 21 points.

Despite a late-game effort with two touchdowns from tight end Darren Waller, it was too little, too late for Miami. The Miami Herald noted that this loss raised questions about Tagovailoa's future with the Dolphins, as the team now shifts focus to the last three games of the season amid ongoing concerns about their quarterback situation.