The Miami Dolphins head to Acrisure Stadium as winners of four in a row and five of six for a Monday Night Football tilt with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15. But coming off a road win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers are favored by 3.5 points, according to the consensus lines on VSiN.
Miami has found its way back into the playoff race at 6-7, and the Dolphins are being led by a potent rushing attack spearheaded by De’Von Achane. Achane suffered a rib injury in Week 14, but head coach Mike McDaniel said the team was being cautious in keeping him out and that Achane should play next week, per ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques.
Mike McDaniel said Dolphins RB De’Von Achane was available to return in an emergency — he chose not to put him back in the game
As for his availability next week vs the Steelers:
“I promise you, he’ll be in there if he’s ready.”
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) December 7, 2025
Achane had run for over 100 yards in Miami’s last three games entering today, but he fell just short with seven carries for 92 yards before exiting with an injury. With the Steelers’ issues defending the run lately (249 yards allowed to the Buffalo Bills last week and 217 yards allowed to the Baltimore Ravens today), slowing down Achane is going to be a key for them.
Miami lost WR Tyreek Hill to a season-ending injury earlier this season, but WR Jaylen Waddle has continued to be a consistent threat, and Miami’s defense as a whole has improved after being one of the league’s worst units, particularly against the run, earlier this season.
The Steelers will have the benefit of a home crowd that should be rowdy for the Hall of Honor ceremony, which will feature Ben Roethlisberger, Maurkice Pouncey and Joey Porter Sr., three fan favorites and team legends, getting inducted. Coming off a 27-22 win against Baltimore that puts the momentum in the Steelers’ favor and allows them to control their playoff destiny, they need to be ready to play against a Dolphins team that’s showing a lot of resolve after a rough start.
Vegas seems to think the Steelers will come out on top, but with them only favored by slightly more than a field goal, it shows just how far Miami has come and that it’s a game the Steelers can’t take lightly. Both teams will get an extra day of rest, and for the Steelers, it will be their first appearance on Monday Night Football this season while Miami played on Monday in Week 4, a win over the New York Jets.
It’s a game that the Steelers should win and one that they might need to win if they want to make the playoffs. If they play with that sense of urgency, then they should be able to cover the spread.