The Steelers extended their home winning streak on Monday Night Football to 23 straight games with a 28-15 win over Miami last night.
Aaron Rodgers completed 23 of 27 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns and tight ends Connor Heyward and Jonnu Smith each ran for a touchdown. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and DK Metcalf each caught TD passes in the third quarter. Kenneth Gainwell ran for 80 yards on 13 carries.
Playing without TJ Watt, Derrick Harmon, and James Pierre, the Steelers’ defense still sacked Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa four times and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. picked off a pass, the only turnover by either team in the game.
Coach Mike Tomlin says the Steelers played well despite their missing starters.
Tomlin says his edge rushers, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and Jack Sawyer, stepped in capably for the missing TJ Watt.
Tomlin was thrilled with the play of Samuel Jr., who he says is a prodigious talent.
Rodgers says the Steelers know the stakes in their quest for the AFC playoffs.
Rodgers completed 13 passes in a row at one point, many of them the short variety that kept drives going, and kept the ball in the Steelers’ hands.
Rodgers calls Gainwell, who had 126 total yards, one of the smartest players he’s ever seen, and says he’s amazed that the Steelers got the free agent for just $1.79 million.
Steelers injuries included offensive guard Isaac Seumalo, who was being evaluated for a triceps injury, and Herbig, who re-injured a hamstring.
The Steelers’ last home loss on a Monday night was October 14th, 1991, 23-20, to the New York Giants at Three Rivers Stadium.
The AFC North standings show Pittsburgh at 8-6, Baltimore at 7-7, Cincinnati at 4-10 and Cleveland at 3-11. The Steelers play at 8-6 Detroit on Sunday.
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