Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, December 15, 2025, 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Network: ESPN
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa: SIT
Even in a top-10 matchup against the Steelers, I’m not starting Tua Tagovailoa anywhere. There’s always that off-chance he has a random three- or four-touchdown performance, but he has more games with one or zero touchdowns than with multiple. He’s reached 175 passing yards in four straight games. He’s not touching any of my lineups.
Running Back
De’Von Achane: START, RB1*watch practice reports*
Ollie Gordon II: SIT
Jaylen Wright: SIT
Devon Achane left with a rib injury after rushing for 92 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries against the Jets. After the game, coach Mike McDaniel said Achane could have come back in, but he held him out as a precaution, which made sense given the game was out of hand quickly. It sounds like Achane should be back this week. But if he’s not, don’t instantly throw Jaylen Wright into your lineup. Yes, he got the majority of work in a blowout loss, but as my good friend Mike Sandwich says below, don’t assume that’ll be the case again.
Seeing a lot of waiver wire articles talking about the Dolphins RBs
So here is my friendly reminder:
In-game injuries very rarely tell the story of what would happen with time to prep for the player being outDon’t read too deep into the usage in these situations
— Mike 🥪 (@DaddysHomeFF) December 9, 2025
Even if Achane is out, I’m not starting Wright or Ollie Gordon II. We have no clue how the touches would actually work out, and it’s a terrible matchup against the Steelers, who allow the fewest points to the position. I’m not taking that gamble in fantasy playoffs.
Wide Receiver
Jaylen Waddle: START, WR1
Cedrick Wilson Jr.: SIT
Malik Washington: SIT
Before I get called out for having Tua as a hard sit and Jaylen Waddle as a WR1, hear me out. Since Week 9, Tua has thrown over 200 yards just once and has three touchdowns and four interceptions. Waddle has 14 or more points in three of those five games. It seems out there, I know. But in a matchup with the Steelers, who give up a league-high 13.8 receptions to receivers per game, Waddle should PPR scam his way right into the top 12.
Tight End
Darren Waller: SIT
Darren Waller gets a plus matchup against the Steelers, but he hasn’t played over 50% of snaps since returning from injury, and his snap share actually decreased from 47% to 37% last week. You’re praying for a touchdown, but the floor is even lower than other tight ends in that tier.
Defense/Special Teams
Miami Dolphins: STREAMER
The Dolphins’ defense has played well as of late, holding their last four opponents under 20 points with 10 sacks in their last two games. But I have a worry in my tum-tum about Miami going into Pittsburgh with Aaron Rodgers looking arguably the best he has all season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
Aaron Rodgers threw for a season high of 284 yards and threw just one touchdown, but he looked, probably, the best he has all year. Miami’s defense has played better as of late, but it still ranks as the 11th-best matchup for quarterbacks. The game doesn’t move the needle too much for Rodgers. But it does raise his floor just a bit.
Running Back
Jaylen Warren: START, borderline RB2
Kenneth Gainwell: START, borderline RB2
Kaleb Johnson: SIT
Pittsburgh is one of the few running back committees with two productive options in the backfield. Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell have each scored 10 or more points in three of their last four games, with the recent uptick in pass-game work for Gainwell. Miami has shut down the run as of late, not allowing a 100-yard rusher or rushing touchdown since Week 10. But both backs are borderline RB2s with a dash of upside.
Wide Receiver
DK Metcalf: START, WR3
Adam Thielen: SIT
Calvin Austin III: SIT
DK Metcalf had a season-high 12 targets, catching seven for 148 yards, just his second game over 100 receiving yards this season. A massive part of Rodgers’ revival was the impact of newly acquired Adam Thielen, who caught one pass on one target for 1 yard. (Well, it was actually 4 yards, but 1 sounded cooler.) Metcalf had an average depth of target of 14.8, just his second game in his seven with an ADOT over 11. Throwing the ball to DK Metcalf downfield, what a concept?!? Metcalf is what we all thought he was, a boom-or-bust WR3. He’s a risky one against Miami, which is allowing the ninth-fewest points to the position.
Tight End
Any and all Steelers TE: SIT
Do I really have to tell you why?
Defense/Special Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers: START
The Steelers rank in the top 10 in sacks and second in turnovers forced.