Kelly: Dolphins got bullied again when it mattered most | Opinion
It was a prime-time stage in front of a national audience, in the cold, on the road against a playoff-caliber team that played with a physical style.
If the Miami Dolphins (6-8) wanted to silence every narrative about the team that has existed during Mike McDaniel’s four-year reign over the franchise, Monday night was their chance.
Miami’s faint playoff aspirations were on the line, so these resurrected Dolphins — which rebounded from a 1-6 start and were riding a four-game winning streak — couldn’t afford to lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The tone was set early.
There was Steelers safety Jalen Ramsey trying to body slam De’Von Achane onto the Acrisure Stadium field.
Or Steelers linebacker Patrick McQueen trying to rip off Tua Tagovailoa’s helmet at the conclusion of a 1-yard scramble from the Dolphins quarterback.
While the Dolphins put together a feisty first-half effort, Miami eventually folded during the 28-15 loss, getting bullied by the AFC North-leading Steelers in the second half.
The game would break open when Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis missed a tackle on a 38-yard run that Steelers tailback Kenneth Gainwell bounced to the right.
Two plays later receiver Marquez Valdes-Scalding, who was freshly added to the 53-man roster after being called up from the practice squad, caught a 19-yard touchdown after escaping Ifeatu Melifonwu’s coverage.
That score built a 14-3 lead early in the third quarter, and the Steelers would extend it with ease because the old Dolphins — the team we’ve watched shrink in these critical games the majority of the past 25-years, did just that.
Ramsey, the player Miami traded to Pittsburgh this offseason, concluded Miami’s ensuing possession by sacking Tagovailoa for a 12-yard loss on third down at Miami’s 32-yard line, and in Pittsburgh’s next possession DK Metcalf stiff-armed Minkah Fitzpatrick off his body at the end of a 28-yard touchdown catch from Aaron Rodgers that built a 21-3 lead.
From that point the Steelers’ Renegade song started playing, and the yellow towels started spinning as the crowd erupted.
And so did the Dolphins’ season, right down the drain.
While a playoff berth is officially off the board, a winning season isn’t.
But the Dolphins, which end the season with home games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a season finale against the New England Patriots on the road, are one loss from delivering the franchise’s second straight losing season.
That would put Miami’s at the dreaded “status quo” that owner Steve Ross warned wouldn’t do in 2025 when he vowed that changes were on the horizon for South Florida’s NFL franchise if the team didn’t start winning.
And that shouldn’t stop with recently removed general manager Chris Grier.
As proud as McDaniel and his staff should be for how his team rallied from a 1-6 hole, never quit on the team and made the season relevant, Monday night’s loss was proof this era is off the rails, and won’t get the franchise to the desired destination, which is a Super Bowl.
In a season where the Kansas City Chiefs fell off a cliff and the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills look vulnerable, the Dolphins are still riding the mediocrity merry go round while the New England Patriots rebuilt in two seasons, and are in the driver’s seat to win the AFC East division and the AFC’s top seed.
That’s right, the Patriot did in two seasons what the Dolphins have been laboring since 2008 to achieve.
Ross needs to ask himself if staying status quo with McDaniel and Tagovailoa, who had yet another disappointing performance despite his two late touchdown throws to Darren Waller, in 2026 takes this franchise anywhere? Or would it be another wasted season?
McDaniel’s a fine man who means well.
He possesses an innovative offensive mind, one that will likely keep him employed in the NFL for years to come.
But if we’re being honest, it’s difficult to envision him lifting a Lombardi Trophy in the air anytime soon, especially with Tagovailoa behind center.
If that’s not the end result we’re ultimately wasting time, and seasons because this franchise will continue to shrivel up in the cold on these important, high-stakes nights.
This story was originally published December 15, 2025 at 11:16 PM.
