The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Miami Dolphins 28–15 on Monday Night Football, December 15, 2025. The game was played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. It was 17 degrees at kickoff. Cold. Loud. And one for the record books.
Aaron Rodgers made NFL history. Tua Tagovailoa threw his 15th pick of the season. Miami’s season ended in the third quarter — literally. They had minus-20 yards of total offense in those 15 minutes. That’s not a typo.
Let’s go through every number that mattered.
Final Score and Game Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, December 15, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 8:15 PM ET |
| Venue | Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Temperature | 17°F |
| Attendance | 65,663 |
| Final Score | Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Miami Dolphins 15 |
| Records After | Steelers 8–6 / Dolphins 6–8 |
Miami came in on a four-game win streak, still alive in the playoff race. They left eliminated. Pittsburgh held their one-game lead atop the AFC North.
Scoring Summary
| Quarter | Miami | Pittsburgh | Key Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 3 | 0 | Patterson 54-yard FG |
| Q2 | 0 | 7 | C. Heyward 1-yard plunge |
| Q3 | 0 | 14 | Valdes-Scantling 19-yd TD, Metcalf 28-yd TD |
| Q4 | 12 | 7 | Waller 2 TDs (garbage time), J. Smith 14-yd TD run |
| Final | 15 | 28 |
The halftime score was 7–3. Then Pittsburgh scored on four straight possessions. Game over.
Pittsburgh Steelers Player Stats
Aaron Rodgers — Passing
Rodgers went 23 of 27 for 224 yards with two touchdowns, posting a 125.9 passer rating. His 85.2% completion rate made him the oldest starting quarterback in NFL history to hit that mark in a single game. He turned 42 on December 2.
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Completions / Attempts | 23 / 27 |
| Passing Yards | 224 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 125.9 |
| Completion % | 85.2% |
He also passed Peyton Manning for third all-time in games with multiple touchdown passes, reaching 166 for his career.
Big numbers. Bigger context. This was Rodgers in cold weather, on Monday night, in a must-win game. He did not flinch.
Kenneth Gainwell — Running Back / Receiver
Gainwell was Pittsburgh’s most versatile weapon all night, logging a team-high seven catches out of the backfield and 126 total scrimmage yards.
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 7 (team high) |
| Receiving Yards | 46 |
| Rushing Attempts | 13 |
| Rushing Yards | 80 |
| Total Scrimmage Yards | 126 |
He did the dirty work. Short routes. Yards after contact. Clock-eating runs. Every Steeler drive had Gainwell’s fingerprints on it.
DK Metcalf — Wide Receiver
Metcalf caught a dart from Rodgers between two defenders for 28 yards and a touchdown — he shoved Minkah Fitzpatrick on his way to the end zone.
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Receiving Yards | 28+ |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
One catch. One push. One moment that sealed the game.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling — Wide Receiver
Rodgers opened the third quarter by finding Valdes-Scantling on a crisp 19-yard strike early in the third quarter.
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Touchdown Reception | 19 yards |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
That score made it 14–3. Miami never recovered.
Pittsburgh Team Rushing Stats
Pittsburgh ran 32 times. Miami ran 16 times. Pittsburgh held the ball for 33 minutes. Miami held it for 26.
| Stat | Pittsburgh | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Rush Attempts | 32 | 16 |
| Rush Yards | ~135 | ~63 |
| Time of Possession | 33 min | 26 min |
You win the cold-weather game by running. Pittsburgh knew it. Miami did not execute it.
Miami Dolphins Player Stats
Tua Tagovailoa — Passing
Tagovailoa completed 22 of 28 passes for 254 yards with two garbage-time touchdowns to Darren Waller and his NFL-leading 15th interception.
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Completions / Attempts | 22 / 28 |
| Passing Yards | 254 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 (NFL season-leading 15th) |
| Game Temp at Kickoff | 17°F |
Tagovailoa remained winless in games where the temperature at kickoff was under 40 degrees. That stat is now a pattern. Cold weather is his kryptonite.
And both touchdowns? They came when the game was already 28–3. Garbage time. The final score flatters Miami badly.
De’Von Achane — Running Back
De’Von Achane was Miami’s best player on both sides of the ball, finishing with 127 combined yards, but the Dolphins went totally quiet during the stretch when it cost them the game.
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Rush Attempts | 12 |
| Rush Yards | 60 |
| Receptions | 6 |
| Receiving Yards | 68 |
| Total Scrimmage Yards | 127 (128 combined) |
He was the lone bright spot. Fast. Explosive. But he vanished when Miami needed him most — the third quarter.
Darren Waller — Tight End
Waller caught 7 passes for 66 yards and 2 touchdowns.
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 7 |
| Receiving Yards | 66 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
Both scores came in the fourth quarter when Pittsburgh was up 28–3. These numbers do not represent a Miami comeback. They represent a Steelers team that stopped competing once the game was decided.
Miami Team Stats
| Stat | Miami |
|---|---|
| Total Yards in Q3 | Minus 20 |
| First Downs | Lower than Pittsburgh |
| Rush Yards | ~63 |
| Turnovers | 1 (INT) |
| Q3 Drives Crossing Midfield | 0 |
Miami had minus-20 yards of total offense in the third quarter. In a playoff elimination game. On a 4-game win streak. On national TV. That is a collapse by any measure.
Key Plays That Decided the Game
Asante Samuel Jr.’s Interception
Asante Samuel Jr., six months removed from neck surgery and working off Pittsburgh’s practice squad, intercepted Tagovailoa to cut off Miami’s most dangerous drive before halftime.
Miami had momentum. Field position. A chance. Samuel took it away with one play.
The “Steel City Shove”
Pittsburgh marched 60 yards in 12 plays to close the first half on Connor Heyward’s 1-yard plunge. The “Steel City Shove” put the Steelers ahead 7–3 at halftime.
Twelve-play drive. Grinding. Physical. Miami’s defense was worn down by the time they got to the goal line.
Four Straight Scoring Drives
Once the third quarter started, Pittsburgh scored on every single drive. Valdes-Scantling. Metcalf. Jonnu Smith on a toss sweep. Four possessions. Four touchdowns. Miami did not cross midfield once during that entire stretch.
Read: Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta Falcons Match Player Stats – Full Box Score & Game Breakdown 2026
Head-to-Head History: Dolphins vs Steelers All-Time
Pittsburgh holds a narrow all-time edge with 15 wins to Miami’s 14. The Dolphins average 20.66 points per game in the series, the Steelers 20.07, which shows how balanced it has been.
| Stat | Dolphins | Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| All-Time Wins | 14 | 15–16 |
| Playoff Wins | 1 | 2 |
| Avg Points Per Game | 20.66 | 20.07 |
| Last 5 Games | 3 Wins | 2 Wins |
| Longest Win Streak | 10 games | 9 games |
In postseason play, Pittsburgh leads 2–1. Miami once ran off a 10-game winning streak, while Pittsburgh’s best stretch reached 9 straight.
This rivalry is as even as they come. Less than one point separates them in average scoring over decades of games.
Recent Game Results (Last 5 Meetings)
| Date | Winner | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 15, 2025 | Pittsburgh | 28–15 | Pittsburgh |
| Oct 23, 2022 | Miami | 16–10 | Miami |
| Oct 28, 2019 | Pittsburgh | 27–14 | Pittsburgh |
| Oct 16, 2016 | Pittsburgh | 30–15 | Pittsburgh |
| Oct 4, 2015 | Miami | 41–38 (OT) | Miami |
The last time the Dolphins beat the Steelers was on October 23, 2022, when Miami won 16–10. Before that, Pittsburgh had taken three straight.
Historic Player Stats in This Rivalry
Over the years, some of football’s best players have put up big numbers in this matchup. Here are some standout performances from past games, based on official box score data:
| Player | Team | Game | Key Stat Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Ajayi | Miami | 2016 | 204 rush yards, 2 TDs |
| Le’Veon Bell | Pittsburgh | 2016 | 167 rush yards, 2 TDs |
| Antonio Brown | Pittsburgh | 2016 | 5 rec, 124 yards, 2 TDs |
| Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh | 2015 | 19 of 34, 189 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT |
| Ryan Tannehill | Miami | 2015 | 24 of 32, 252 yds, 0 INT |
| Aaron Rodgers | Pittsburgh | Dec 2025 | 23/27, 224 yds, 2 TD, 125.9 rating |
The 2016 game stands out. Jay Ajayi ran for 204 yards on 25 carries. That was one of the best single-game rushing performances in recent series history. The Steelers answered with Le’Veon Bell’s 167 yards in a different meeting that same year.
Why Pittsburgh Won: 3 Real Reasons?
1. They Ran the Ball in the Cold
In 17-degree weather, you need to run. Pittsburgh called 32 rushing plays to Miami’s 16. That number matters more than any other team stat. You can’t throw your way to a cold-weather win against a quality defense. Pittsburgh knew it. They stuck to it.
2. The Third Quarter Ambush
Miami had a 4-game win streak. They had momentum. They had Achane. None of it mattered after halftime. The Steelers went on a 21-0 run through the middle of the game while Miami managed negative yardage. The Steelers scored touchdowns on four straight possessions to remain unbeaten at home on Monday nights since 1992.
3. Tua in the Cold — Again
Tagovailoa remained winless in games where the temperature at kickoff was under 40 degrees. He now has an 0-for streak in those conditions that is hard to ignore. The interception. The quiet third quarter. Miami’s coaching staff must address this heading into future seasons.
What This Game Meant for Both Teams?
Pittsburgh: The Steelers (8–6) maintained their one-game lead over Baltimore in the division with three weeks to go. Everything remained on the table as Christmas approached. Rodgers sounded like a man who found something. “It’s been a while since I’ve been a part of stuff like this,” he said. “I feel real comfortable in this environment.”
Miami: Miami (6–8) saw its slim playoff hopes vanish in the chill as its four-game winning streak was snapped. Tagovailoa acknowledged what most fans already knew: “When you start the season the way we did, we made it hard on ourselves.”
FAQs: Miami Dolphins vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats
Who won the Dolphins vs Steelers game on December 15, 2025?
The Pittsburgh Steelers won 28–15 at Acrisure Stadium. It was played on Monday Night Football in 17-degree cold.
What did Aaron Rodgers do in this game?
Rodgers went 23 of 27 for 224 yards and two touchdowns, posting a 125.9 passer rating. His 85.2% completion rate made him the oldest quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 85% of his passes in a single game.
What were Tua Tagovailoa’s stats?
Tagovailoa completed 22 of 28 passes for 254 yards with two touchdowns and one interception — his NFL-leading 15th of the season. His touchdowns came in garbage time when the game was already decided.
Who was Miami’s best player in this game?
De’Von Achane led Miami with 127 combined scrimmage yards, including 60 rushing yards and 68 receiving yards on 6 catches. He was their most dangerous weapon, but disappeared during the critical third quarter.
Who leads the all-time series between Miami and Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh holds a slim all-time lead with 15 wins to Miami’s 14. In the playoffs, the Steelers lead 2–1.
What is Tua Tagovailoa’s record in cold-weather games?
Tagovailoa remained winless in games where the temperature at kickoff is below 40 degrees. This game was no exception at 17 degrees.
What was Pittsburgh’s best stat in this game?
Their run game. Pittsburgh ran 32 times for roughly 135 yards, compared to Miami’s 16 carries for about 63 yards. They controlled the clock, wore down Miami’s defense, and set up play-action for Rodgers all night.
Did any player set an NFL record in this game?
Yes. Aaron Rodgers, at age 42, became the oldest starting quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 85% of his passes in a single game, finishing at 85.2%.
What was Miami’s total offense in the third quarter?
Miami had minus-20 yards of total offense in the third quarter. It was the quarter that ended their playoff hopes.
Who had the most receptions for Pittsburgh?
Kenneth Gainwell led Pittsburgh with a team-high seven catches out of the backfield for 46 yards, adding 80 rushing yards for 126 total scrimmage yards.
Final Takeaway
The Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the Miami Dolphins with a powerful run game, sharp passing from Aaron Rodgers, and a game-changing third quarter that sealed a 28–15 victory. While Miami showed flashes through De’Von Achane and Tua Tagovailoa, cold-weather struggles and costly mistakes ended their playoff hopes. This latest chapter in the Dolphins–Steelers rivalry proved once again that physical football and smart execution still win big games in December.
