Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers produced a surge of 28-consecutive points to baffle the Miami Dolphins in primetime, shutting down their rolling running game while eliminating them from playoff contention.
Steelers defenders swallowed the Dolphins' previous dominant rushing attack early on in the 28-15 triumph Monday in Pittsburgh. They held their visitors to just three points until the fourth quarter, resulting in an end to the Dolphins' four-game winning streak and slamming the window shut on their slim postseason aspirations.
"Realistically, I'm just supremely disappointed we couldn't come out with a win here," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters. "We had high expectations and they fell short."
The Steelers out-gained the Dolphins 336 to 285 in total yards. They also held an advantage of 22-16 in first downs, led by about seven minutes in time of possession and did not log a turnover. In his postgame comments, Rodgers praised the Steelers' roster for contributions from "castoffs" -- players who failed to secure contract extensions from their former teams and ended up in Pittsburgh.
"There are some castoffs, if you look at our roster, which makes it really special," the Steelers quarterback said. "Kenny Gainwell signed a next-to-nothing contract. Connor Heyward, an afterthought, had a touchdown run. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been on a couple teams. Adam Thielen got cut. Asante Samuel Jr. was on the street for a long time.
