Heading into the Home Stretch of the Season

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Chris Oliver | Last updated Dec 15, 2025 8:31 AM ET

Heading into the Home Stretch of the Season

The 2025 Miami Dolphins find themselves in a familiar yet complicated place as the season heads into its final stretch. At 6–7, their playoff hopes are faint and dependent on plenty of help from around the league. Still, as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football, one thing is clear: this Dolphins team hasn’t quit.

Just a few weeks ago, Miami’s season looked like it was unraveling. Inconsistency, missed opportunities, and frustrating losses had many writing the Dolphins off entirely. What once felt like a promising year quickly turned into an embarrassing one, raising uncomfortable questions about the roster, the coaching staff, and the direction of the franchise. Then something changed.

Miami has rattled off four straight wins, injecting life into a season that appeared destined to fade quietly into the offseason. The streak hasn’t magically erased the early damage, but it has restored belief inside the locker room and among the fan base. This team is playing with urgency, toughness, and perhaps most importantly, pride.

The Dolphins now enter the homestretch knowing the math is not on their side. At 6–7, the margin for error is gone. Every remaining game is effectively a playoff game, and even winning out may not be enough without help from other contenders stumbling. But for a team that could have folded, simply being relevant in December matters.

Monday night against Pittsburgh represents more than just another game on the schedule; it’s a measuring stick. The Steelers are historically a physical, disciplined team, and are experienced in high-pressure situations, exactly the kind of opponent that reveals whether a late-season surge is real or just a brief spark. A win under the national spotlight would further validate Miami’s turnaround and keep its postseason hopes alive for at least another week.

Regardless of how the playoff picture ultimately shakes out, the Dolphins have already changed the narrative of their season. What looked like a lost year has become a statement about resilience. They’ve shown that even when expectations collapse, effort doesn’t have to. For a franchise still trying to establish sustained credibility, that matters.

The Dolphins may need help, and they may be on the outside looking in. However, as the Dolphins head into Monday night with momentum and belief, one thing is undeniable: Miami still has fight left, and they’re not done showing it.

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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