The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a lot of accomplishments to celebrate throughout the history of the franchise. Super Bowl championships, Hall of Fame inductees and NFL records are all part of what makes the organization so well-respected across the sports landscape. Combing everything together can make any fan reminisce about the good ‘ol days, especially because the 2025 version of the team has disappointed many. Head Coach Mike Tomlin is likely on the hottest seat that he ever has been on, which has made plenty speculate about his potential firing, which could happen if the collective collapses during the home stretch.
Pittsburgh has a massive game in Week 13, as Tomlin and co. will travel to play the Baltimore Ravens in the biggest AFC North contest of the year. Whichever unit wins will take a one-game lead with only four matchups left in the campaign. Optimism is not high for the Steelers, particularly due to a horrible showing versus the Buffalo Bills, which resulted in a 26-7 loss.
The week after any game within the division is complicated. Players are typically sorer than normal and still riding the high emotions that come with participating in a rivalry battle. While the sole focus for the Steelers is the Ravens right now, it will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh ends up playing in Week 15, when the Miami Dolphins come to Acrisure Stadium for
Monday Night Football.
It’s not just some ordinary game, either. Legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Honor, along with Maurkice Pouncey and Joey Porter Sr. The Black and Gold faithful will be expected to show up just based on how important Roethlisberger, and the other two, are to the organization as a whole.
If Pittsburgh lays an egg, as it has several times so far in 2025, it could bring the overall energy down in the stadium, making it less memorable for the three inductees. Unfortunately, with the Steelers sliding quickly, Miami could be coming to play spoiler.
The Dolphins were 1-6 at a point and it wasn’t a ridiculous belief to think that ownership was getting ready to fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel. Since that horrible start, Miami is 4-1 with a completely new outlook on the year. The playoffs are within reach if McDaniel and co. win their remaining games, making the contest versus the Steelers extremely vital. One group is going in the wrong direction while the other is ascending at the exact right time.
Tomlin has once again found his collective hovering around the .500 mark as the most important time of the year arrives. The teams have found ways to avoid legitimate losing seasons, but that feat is no longer being celebrated in the Steel City. Playoffs aren’t just a must; at least one victory is expected. With things seemingly on a downturn, McDaniel and the Dolphins have a legitimate shot to ruin what is supposed to be an incredibly special night for Roethlisberger, Pouncey and Porter.
Sure, Tomlin isn’t on the field missing throws, tackles or assignments, but he is the architect behind everything the Steelers do. It all begins with the top, and that’s why the head coach deserves so much criticism for the current state of his squad. There is not much time to fix it, and while Baltimore is top of mind, Miami is going to be waiting right around the corner.
Steelers’ Playoff Hopes Could Be Completely Crushed By Dolphins
If Pittsburgh fails to defeat the Ravens on the road, another defeat at the hands of Miami would put the franchise at 6-8. Three-straight wins, including the final week of the year versus Baltimore, is not impossible, but not probable given the fact that there would be a lot going wrong for it to quickly just change into a positive. Time will tell, but Tomlin’s 2025 team and its inconsistencies could ruin what is supposed to be an awesome celebration in the Steel City.
