The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Miami Dolphins on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. The Steelers franchise is no stranger to success on Monday nights, having won 22 consecutive Monday Night Football home games.
More important than the streak, however, is what’s at stake. With the Steelers sitting at 7–6 and holding just a half-game lead in the division title race over the Baltimore Ravens (7–7), this matchup carries significant playoff implications. A win would greatly improve their chances of securing a postseason berth.
According to NFL.com’s playoff predictor, Pittsburgh would have a 61% chance of making the playoffs with a win over the Dolphins. With a loss, those odds would drop to 45%.
With the Los Angeles Chargers (10–4), Buffalo Bills (10–4), and Houston Texans (9–5) all currently holding wild-card spots and playing strong football, the Steelers will likely need to secure the division title to earn a playoff berth. A win on Monday night would be huge, allowing Pittsburgh to regain a full-game lead over the Ravens with three games to go in the regular season.
This matchup against the Dolphins will be no cakewalk, as Miami has gone 5–1 over its last six games and is still battling for a playoff berth at 6–7.
GettyA Steelers win would increase their playoff odds.
Keys to Victory
Pittsburgh should look to take advantage of its running game. According to Fox Sports, the Dolphins’ rushing defense ranks 25th in the NFL, allowing an average of 131.9 yards per game.
Miami’s passing defense has been more effective, allowing 202.6 yards per game, which ranks 12th in the league, according to Fox Sports.
Even though the Dolphins’ pass defense has been stronger, getting wide receiver DK Metcalf heavily involved would make things much easier for the black and yellow. In last week’s 27–22 win over the Ravens, Metcalf was a major factor, hauling in seven receptions for 148 receiving yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Steelers will need to prevent running back De’Von Achane from having another big day for the Dolphins’ offense.
Over his last five games, Achane has recorded 587 rushing yards while averaging 7.5 yards per carry, according to ESPN.
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane.
Noise Around the Head Coach
Some Steelers fans have been discussing the idea of bringing in a new head coach, and if the team loses on Monday night, that buzz will likely become even more prevalent than it was about two weeks ago, when the Steelers’ home crowd was chanting “Fire Tomlin” following their 26–7 loss to the Bills.
“Prominent former players have publicly speculated that it might be time for Tomlin to move on. And yet, with Tomlin still under contract through at least the 2026 season with a club option decision on 2027 due early next year, there is nothing to suggest the organization with just three head coaches since 1969 will break from precedent and move on from their head coach, no matter how loud the outside noise gets,” wrote ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
According to Pryor, wide receiver Calvin Austin III said, “We’re always behind Coach T. The whole world could be chanting ‘Fire Coach T,’ and we’re going to be with Coach T. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters. The players in this locker room, we’re behind him.”
GettyHead Coach Mike Tomlin.
Steelers’ Playoff Odds: How a Win or Loss vs. Dolphins Could Change Everything