The Pittsburgh Steelers utilized a heavy dose of "bully ball" to secure a 28-15 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, December 15, 2025. While the second half was defined by Aaron Rodgers' aerial attack, the game’s physical tone was set just before halftime when tight end Connor Heyward capped a 12-play, 60-yard drive by plunging into the end zone on a 1-yard "tush push."

The immediate score and summary of the play highlighted Pittsburgh’s determination to break a scoreless drought. With just 17 seconds remaining in the second quarter and the Steelers trailing 3-0, Mike Tomlin opted for aggression at the goal line. After an initial attempt was stuffed, the Steelers lined up for a second "tush push" on fourth down. Heyward, lined up under center, was propelled forward by a wall of blockers to secure the 1-yard touchdown, giving the Steelers a 7-3 lead and sparking a run of 28 unanswered points.

Key stats from the game confirm the effectiveness of the Steelers' ground-and-pound strategy. The Connor Heyward touchdown was his first rushing score of the season and served as the catalyst for the offense. Pittsburgh finished the night outrushing Miami 135 to 63, converting all three of their fourth-down attempts. Heyward finished with 4 rushing yards on 4 carries, serving as the team's primary short-yardage weapon in the "jumbo" package.

The strategic factor of the Steelers vs Dolphins matchup was how this specific play "broke the dam" for the Pittsburgh offense. Following the physical score by Heyward, the Steelers went on to score touchdowns on four consecutive possessions. The momentum shifted entirely to the home side, allowing Aaron Rodgers to find Marquez Valdes-Scantling and DK Metcalf for scores in the third quarter as the Dolphins' defense wore down in the frigid, 15-degree temperatures at Acrisure Stadium.

Looking ahead, the future outlook for the Steelers remains bright as they retain their lead in the AFC North with an 8-6 record. The physical identity displayed by Heyward and the offensive line will be critical as they prepare for a Week 16 showdown against the Detroit Lions. For the Dolphins, the inability to stop the Steelers’ short-yardage power game contributed to their official elimination from the 2025 postseason.