Pittsburgh's defense is severely depleted without T.J. Watt, who underwent surgery for a partially collapsed lung, plus absences of James Pierre, Andrus Peat, and Derrick Harmon, as the Steelers host a surging Miami on Monday Night Football amid playoff stakes and sub-freezing temps.
Updating the Steelers-Dolphins Week 15 preview: Pittsburgh (7-6), holding a half-game AFC North lead, faces Miami (6-7) at Acrisure Stadium (8:15 p.m. ET) in a win-critical matchup before facing Detroit, Cleveland, and Baltimore. A victory bolsters their division hold and avoids a potential Week 18 Ravens showdown; Miami, 2.5 games from the AFC wild-card, needs it to survive.
The injury toll deepened for Pittsburgh's defense: star OLB T.J. Watt misses his first game after surgery for a partially collapsed lung from dry needling treatment, leaving Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith to face Miami's rush (160+ yards/game on four-game streak, led by De’Von Achane). CB James Pierre (calf), OL Andrus Peat (concussion), and rookie DT Derrick Harmon (knee, fifth straight out) are also sidelined, exacerbating a run defense allowing 200+ yards the past two weeks.
Bright spot: RB Jaylen Warren (team-leading 652 rush yards, 4 TDs) is active post-illness, pairing with Kenneth Gainwell. QB Aaron Rodgers, perfect at home on MNFs, targets Miami's secondary including ex-Steeler Jalen Ramsey (traded for Minkah Fitzpatrick).
Miami counters with Tua Tagovailoa's league-fastest snap-to-throw, potentially dodging pressure. But their cold woes persist: 0-11 below 40°F since 2017. Pittsburgh boasts a 22-game home MNF win streak (since 1991) and is a 3-point favorite (O/U 42.5). Picks favor Steelers (e.g., Prisco 27-20) via home edge, though Miami's ground game poses upset risk.