Aaron Rodgers and Steelers freeze
out Dolphins, stay atop AFC North with 28-15 win
[December 16, 2025]
By WILL GRAVES
PITTSBURGH (AP) — It felt a little bit like Green Bay. And for Aaron
Rodgers, it looked a little like Green Bay, too.
Frigid conditions. High stakes. The number of games dwindling.
During the four-time MVP's long run with the Packers, this was the
time of year that Rodgers thrived. And while Pittsburgh is not Green
Bay and the 2025 version of Rodgers is not quite the 2015 version,
he offered a reminder on Monday night against Miami that there's
still life in his 42-year-old right arm, and in his maddeningly
hot-and-cold team.
Rodgers passed for 224 yards and two touchdowns and Pittsburgh kept
its grasp on the top spot in the AFC North with a clinical 28-15
victory over the Dolphins, who were eliminated from playoff
contention.
While Rodgers wasn't quite in what he called a “flow state,” he
certainly looked comfortable while becoming the oldest quarterback
in league history to complete at least 85% of his passes. Rodgers
connected on 23 of 27 against the Dolphins, including third-quarter
touchdown throws of 19 yards to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and 28
yards to DK Metcalf.
“I think he’s the best quarterback to ever play this game,” said
Valdes-Scantling, who played alongside Rodgers with the Packers and
signed with Pittsburgh's practice squad earlier this season. “I
don’t care if he’s 65 years old or not, he can still spin the ball
and he’s always playing chess with the defense.”
Throwing short passes that got the ball out of his hands quickly,
Rodgers was fine working underneath and letting Pittsburgh's skill
position players do the work. Running back Kenneth Gainwell had 126
total yards, including a team-high seven receptions. Metcalf's
touchdown catch — he shoved former Steeler Minkah Fitzpatrick out of
the way en route to the end zone — came on a pass between two
defenders that echoed Rodgers in his prime.
The Steelers (8-6) maintained their one-game lead over Baltimore in
the division with three weeks to go. As spotty as Pittsburgh has
looked at times, everything remains on the table as Christmas
approaches.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been a part of stuff like this,” said
Rodgers, who last made the playoffs in 2021. “Nothing changes. It’s
just, I feel real comfortable in this environment.”
Done Dolphins
Miami (6-8) saw its slim playoff hopes vanish in the chill as its
four-game winning streak was snapped. The Dolphins prepped by
practicing in the snow at nearby Robert Morris University over the
weekend, but it didn't help.
While Miami took a 3-0 lead during a sluggish first half on Riley
Patterson's career-long 54-yard field goal, Tua Tagovailoa and the
Dolphins' offense had no answer once Rodgers heated up.
Tagovailoa completed 22 of 28 passes for 254 yards with two
garbage-time touchdowns to Darren Waller and his NFL-leading 15th
interception. De'Von Achane, who had powered Miami's recovering from
a 1-6 start, ran for 60 yards and caught six passes for 68 more but
was a nonfactor during the middle portion of the game, when the
Steelers scored touchdowns on four straight possessions to remain
unbeaten at home on Monday nights since 1992.
Tagovailoa remained winless in games where the temperature at
kickoff was under 40 degrees. Miami had minus-20 yards of total
offense in the third quarter.
[to top of second column] |
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) carries the ball as
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, rear, moves in to make
the stop in the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh,
Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
“It's disappointing we didn't get the outcome we
wanted to, and everything that goes on with the playoffs,"
Tagovailoa said. “When you start the season the way we did, we made
it hard on ourselves.”
Winning without Watt
Pittsburgh won for the second time in 13 tries without outside
linebacker T.J. Watt during the perennial All-Pro's nine-year
career. Watt is out indefinitely after having surgery to repair a
collapsed lung sustained during a dry-needling treatment last week.
For a night anyway, Watt's absence didn't matter. Steelers defensive
captain Cam Heyward paid tribute to his teammate after collecting
one of Pittsburgh's four sacks. The 36-year-old Heyward stood up and
attempted to emulate Heyward's signature leg kick, though Heyward
said he probably didn't get his leg up high enough.
“We've got all the confidence in our guys to go out there and play a
hell of a game,” linebacker Patrick Queen said. “Obviously they
did.”
It helped that Asante Samuel Jr. thwarted an early Miami drive with
an interception, his first for Pittsburgh after joining its practice
squad in October, six months after neck surgery.
“It's a blessing (to get a second chance),” Samuel said. “You can't
take nothing for granted. None of the hard days. None of the long
days. You just take everything and appreciate it.”
McDaniel's future is murky
The Dolphins' improved play of late solidified — temporarily, anyway
— coach Mike McDaniel's status. With the playoffs out of reach,
Miami will turn its attention to the future, one that might not
include the bespectacled 42-year-old whose idiosyncratic approach
may be wearing thin.
“We have three (more) opportunities with this team," McDaniel said.
“I think really the character of the locker room has been tested all
year. My expectation is that we're going to bounce back regardless
of how much it hurts.”
Injuries
Dolphins: RB Ollie Gordon II left in the second quarter with a left
ankle injury. ... Fitzpatrick went down in the third quarter with a
calf injury.
Steelers: LG Isaac Seumalo exited in the third quarter with a
triceps injury and did not return. ... OLB Nick Herbig was evaluated
for a hamstring injury late.
Up next
Dolphins: Host Cincinnati on Sunday.
Steelers: At Detroit on Sunday.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
