Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Steelers News Emerges on Monday Ahead of NFL Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Dec 15, 2025 1:36 PM ET

Every game the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) have left this season is important to the NFL playoff picture. It starts on "Monday Night Football," as the Steelers host the red-hot Miami Dolphins (6-7), winners of four straight games.

Against the Dolphins, the Steelers will be without star linebacker T.J. Watt, who had surgery on his collapsed lung on Thursday. Watt's absence is good news for Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who will duel four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.

Coming into the game, the Steelers need a win to maintain their advantage over the Baltimore Ravens (7-7) in the AFC North. Pittsburgh beat Baltimore 27-22 last week, and they will meet again in Week 18. Other than that, this Sunday's game at the Detroit Lions (8-6) is the hardest game the Steelers have left, and it may decide their postseason fate.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) prepares to pass during a game against the Indianapolis Colts.Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

On Monday, CBS Sports announced its NFL talent assignments for Week 16, including the Steelers-Lions game in Detroit at 4:25 p.m. ET.

CBS' top broadcast team of Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson will call the Steelers game at Ford Field, indicating it is considered the best game of the week on the network.

Game Announcers for Week 16 of the @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/bWReYz1hfN
— CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) December 15, 2025

It was the clear choice given the options available. Every other game on CBS features at least one team eliminated from playoff contention.

It will be the third time in four weeks that Nantz, Romo and Wolfson call a Steelers game, following Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills and Week 14 against the Ravens. In Week 15, CBS' No. 1 crew manned the booth at Empower Field at Mile High for the Denver Broncos' 34-26 win over the Green Bay Packers.

The Steelers and Lions make up a similar matchup of AFC vs. NFC playoff contenders, but there is even more on the line. According to The Athletic, Detroit has a far lower chance (25 percent) to make the playoffs than Pittsburgh (56 percent, before the Dolphins game) despite having a better record, because Detroit is behind both the Packers and Chicago Bears in the NFC North.

Simply put, it will be a must-win game for both the Steelers and Lions, regardless of what happens this week on "Monday Night Football." CBS is giving it the treatment it deserves.

Pittsburgh hosts Miami at 8:15 p.m. ET Monday on ESPN.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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