Five things we learned from the rare Pittsburgh Steelers’ convincing 28-15 victory against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night:
1. Nothing else matters
Five weeks ago, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi wentsemi-viral throughout the college football world for answering a question about the importance of an upcoming game against Notre Dame by saying, “They can put 100 up on us as long as we win the next two.”
While Narduzzi took heat for his position — and the Fighting Irish put up more than a third of 100 in an easy win at Acrisure Stadium — his premise was accurate. A loss to Notre Dame on Nov. 15 had nothing to do with Pitt’s chances at winning the ACC, and therefore zero impact on their hopes for a College Football Playoff berth.
The Steelers, as a result of their wins over the past nine days against the Baltimore Ravens and Dolphins, face a similar circumstance Sunday at the Detroit Lions and even in the following week’s game at the Cleveland Browns.
They probably won’t matter all that much.
By virtue of Sunday’s victory, the Steelers guaranteed themselves — at worst — the right to play for the AFC North title in the regular-season finale against the Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Even if the Steelers (8-6) lose these next two and even if the Ravens (7-7) win their next two — against first-place teams in the New England Patriots and at the Green Bay Packers — the Steelers could still clinch the division title with a win the weekend of Jan. 3-4 (the time and date are to be determined).
Now, there is a remote chance the Steelers could need wins these next two weeks in order to earn a wild-card spot — if they lose to Baltimore in Week 18. But that would take losses from some of the other AFC postseason contenders. Also, the Steelers picking up a game on the Ravens over the next two weeks would make the Steelers division champions even before having to take the field again against Baltimore in the finale. So, these next two games are not 100% meaningless to the Steelers.
But odds are pretty good the next two weeks are more glorified exhibitions than they are high-stakes ball — because Week 18 Steelers-Ravens is likely going to be for all the proverbial playoff marbles.
2. (Somewhat) down the field
Make no mistake — Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers won’t any time be confused with the Air Coryell vertical-passing offense. Even while putting up impressive numbers (23 for 27, 224 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions) in a win going away, Rodgers still was mostly dinking and dunking. His average intended air yards (how many yards past the line of scrimmage passes are targeted) was by far the lowest of any Week 15 NFL starting quarterback (3.3, according to NFL Next Gen Stats).
But for the second consecutive game, the Steelers’ downfield passing attack was clicking — albeit more via “intermediate” passes than truly “deep” throws. Per Next Gen, Rodgers was 3 for 5 with two touchdowns on passes thrown more than 10 yards downfield.
Rodgers has twice as many such completions over the past two games (eight) as he had in his previous four games. On those passes 10-plus yards down the field, Rodgers has averaged 16.7 yards per attempt over his last two games after averaging 3.4 over his previous four games.
3. Smooth as jazz
Kenneth Gainwell — who likes to be called “KennyG” — took over the Steelers lead in receptions Monday. His seven catches for 46 yards give him 57 receptions for 342 yards and two receiving touchdowns in 2025. Each represents a career high in receiving for the fifth-year pro who is in his first season with the Steelers.
Gainwell surpassed WR1 DK Metcalf in season receptions Monday. Gainwell also moved up the list of receptions leaguewide. Gainwell is now tied for 42nd in the NFL in catches — but he is sixth among NFL running backs in receptions.
Only Christian McCaffrey (86), Brian Robinson (64), Jahmyr Gibbs (63), De’Von Achane (61) and Chase Brown (58) have more.
Gainwell has 28 catches over his past five games.
4. Elevens wild
Eleven is a significant number attained by Steelers pass-catchers on both sides of the ball Monday.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s 19-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter made for an 11th different recipient of a Rodgers TD pass so far this season.
Asante Samuel Jr.’s first-quarter interception made him the 11th Steelers defensive player this season to record an INT.
Interestingly, only one of those 11 has more than one interception in 2025 — Brandin Echols has two.
For context on the former stat, as recently as 2023, the Steelers had only four different players catch a touchdown pass.
5. Tight end two-step
Arthur Smith is at it again. Take a bow, you lover of all things tight ends.
It was almost two months to the day since Smith — the Steelers offensive coordinator — called plays that led to four touchdown receptions by three tight ends in an Oct. 16 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals. On Monday, it was tight end rushing touchdowns that took center stage.
Both Connor Heyward (from 1 yard out) and Jonnu Smith (14 yards) had ground scores against Miami. According to ESPN, this marked the first occasion in NFL history that two tight ends has rushing touchdowns in the same game.
When Smith, Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington each had a TD reception in that October game in Cincinnati, it marked only the second time in NFL history a team had three tight ends with a touchdown catch in the same game.