If there’s one thing the Pittsburgh Steelers have not done well the last two weeks, it’s defending the run. And really, it’s a problem that dates back much longer than just last week. But it’s under the microscope again this week as the Steelers prepare for the Miami Dolphins on Monday night.

Two months after being counted out by virtually everyone, for good reason, the Dolphins have revived their season. Winners of five of their last six, they’ve got a ton of momentum in the run game and have taken some responsibility out of Tua Tagovailoa’s hands. That will present a problem for the Steelers this week, says ESPN’s Mina Kimes.

“It’s going to cause specific problems for this Steelers defense,” Kimes said Thursday on her Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny. “They [Dolphins] have the highest percentage of explosive runs in the league right now. [De’Von] Achane leads all backs in rush yards over expected per carry. The Steelers struggle with all of this, man. I’d be worried if I’m Pittsburgh, with what this Dolphins offense is putting on tape.”

The Steelers have been inconsistent this year, which is frustrating for the defense because it has had good performances against the run. It wasn’t that long ago that Jonathan Taylor came into town as the league’s leading rusher and left with just 45 yards on 14 carries.

The problem is those efforts haven’t been consistent enough. And while the Ravens weren’t especially efficient running the ball last week, it’s now two straight weeks in which the Steelers have allowed over 200 rushing yards.

The Dolphins are one of the Steelers’ toughest tests this season. De’Von Achane is third in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,126. More impressively, he’s doing it at the most efficient rate in the league with 5.8 yards per carry.

That success doesn’t only belong to him. The Dolphins’ offensive line is playing much better as of late and deserves credit as well. Look at how easily the unit moves the Jets’ defensive line around on this carry.

#Dolphins RB De’Von Achane on the ground this season:

– 90.7 PFF run grade (1st)
– 4.10 yards after contact per attempt (1st)
– 42 missed tackles forced (8th)
– 35 runs of 10+ yards (1st)
– 20 runs of 15+ yards (1st)#PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/2ZnLe3lBrB

— Ryan Smith (@PFF_RyanSmith) December 9, 2025

That doesn’t bode well for a Steelers defense that’s gotten pushed around in recent weeks. Last week, the Steelers did get into the backfield for a couple of key tackles for a loss on Derrick Henry. But there were still plenty of times the defense lacked gap integrity. And two weeks ago against Buffalo, Pittsburgh was simply outmatched physically.

Mother Nature will be in the Steelers’ favor this week, as the Dolphins are notoriously bad in cold weather. But one thing frigid temperatures do lead to is a bigger focus on running the ball. It is paramount that the Steelers’ defense plays better against the run this week.

If the Dolphins establish the run early, they’ll control the tempo, a trap Pittsburgh has fallen into far too many times this year. And if the Steelers can’t run the ball — they only had 34 rushing yards last week — things get even messier. It’s not an easy opponent to bounce back against, but the Steelers simply can’t keep allowing 200 rushing yards a week.