The Pittsburgh Steelers once again proved that Monday nights at home belong to them. Playing in freezing 17-degree conditions at Acrisure Stadium, the Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-15, extending their remarkable Monday Night Football home winning streak to 23 games and tightening their grip on the AFC North with just three games left in the regular season.

The victory moved Pittsburgh to 8-6, keeping them atop the division and in control of the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff picture.

Aaron Rodgers delivers in prime time

Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers delivered one of his most efficient performances of the season, completing 23 of 27 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Calm, composed, and in complete control, Rodgers looked comfortable throughout the night despite the brutal weather conditions.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been part of stuff like this,” Rodgers said after the game. “Nothing changes. I feel really comfortable in this environment.”

Rodgers last appeared in the playoffs in 2021, and Monday’s performance suggested a quarterback rediscovering his postseason edge at the perfect time.

Balanced Steelers offense overwhelms Miami

Pittsburgh’s offense clicked on all fronts. Running backs Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren combined for 113 rushing yards, keeping Miami’s defense off balance.

In the passing game, DK Metcalf and Marquez Valdes-Scantling both found the end zone. Valdes-Scantling hauled in a 19-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, while Metcalf delivered the highlight of the night with a 28-yard touchdown run after catch, breaking multiple tackles to stretch the lead.

Tight end Connor Heyward added Pittsburgh’s first score late in the second quarter, taking a direct snap and powering into the end zone from the one-yard line in a classic goal-line push.

Dolphins struggle again in cold weather

The night followed a familiar script for the Dolphins, who have long struggled in cold-weather games. Miami managed just three points before the fourth quarter, a Riley Patterson field goal with just over five minutes left in the first half.

From that moment on, the game swung entirely in Pittsburgh’s favor. The Steelers rattled off 28 consecutive points, while Miami’s offense completely stalled.

During a disastrous third quarter, the Dolphins recorded minus-20 total yards, and by the start of the fourth quarter, they had just five first downs.

Game effectively over early in fourth quarter

Any remaining suspense ended when tight end Jonnu Smith rushed 14 yards into the end zone early in the fourth quarter, pushing the Steelers’ lead to 28-3 with 13 minutes remaining.

Miami added two late consolation touchdowns through quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who threw a pair of scoring passes to Darren Waller. Tagovailoa finished the night 22 of 28 for 253 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.

But the late surge did little to change the outcome.

Dolphins eliminated, Steelers march on

The loss dropped Miami to 6-8, officially eliminating the Dolphins from playoff contention.

“It’s disappointing we didn’t get the outcome we wanted,” Tagovailoa said afterward. “When you start the season the way we did, we made it hard on ourselves.”

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s win further solidified their division lead as they look to fend off the Baltimore Ravens down the stretch.

Mike Tomlin answers critics

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin took a moment to reflect on the significance of the win, especially after facing criticism just weeks earlier.

“Man, we love Monday Night Football. Mission accomplished,” Tomlin said. “We didn’t expect it to be easy, but once we got it going, we had a bit of fluidity.”

The victory came just two weeks after chants calling for Tomlin’s dismissal echoed through the stadium following a loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Playoff picture coming into focus

Despite an up-and-down season, the Steelers find themselves in a strong position as the postseason approaches. With momentum building, a dominant home-field identity on Monday nights, and Rodgers rounding into form, Pittsburgh is peaking at the right time.

Records usually come with smiles. On Monday night in Salt Lake City, Cooper Flagg made NBA history — and still couldn’t bring himself to celebrate.

The Dallas Mavericks rookie poured in 42 points, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 or more, eclipsing a mark once held by LeBron James. But Flagg’s milestone performance came in a 140–133 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz, a result that muted the moment for the 18-year-old sensation.

(Cooper Flagg )
(Dallas Mavericks )

“Obviously, we didn’t win,” Flagg said afterward, a bag of ice wrapped around his ankle. “So it’s tough for me to want to be happy… but obviously, it’s a success.”

A night that rewrote the record books

Flagg’s 42-point outing broke the previous teenage scoring record of 37, set by LeBron James on December 13, 2003. At 18 years and 359 days, Flagg also joined elite company — becoming just the third teenager in NBA history to post 40 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a game.

The only others to do it? Kevin Durant and LeBron James.

(LeBron James )
(Kevin Durant )

Flagg’s full stat line read like a veteran star’s:
42 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal — a complete display from the No. 1 overall pick who turns 19 on Sunday.

Jason Kidd sees the growth

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd had seen this coming.

“The more time he spends on the floor, the more he sees, the better he gets,” Kidd said. “He displayed it all tonight.”

(Jason Kidd)

Flagg has been surging in recent weeks, averaging 25.7 points over his last seven games, and attacking the rim with increasing confidence. Against Utah, his aggression earned him 20 free-throw attempts, converting 15.

The moment that forced overtime

Late in regulation, Flagg showed a veteran’s awareness. With Dallas trailing, he intentionally missed a free throw, sending a long rebound to teammate Max Christie, who was fouled with 3.9 seconds left, helping push the game into overtime.

(Max Christie )

It was a smart, instinctive play — the kind that doesn’t always show up in highlights, but coaches love.

Pain, pressure, and perspective

Overtime, however, belonged to Utah. The Jazz closed on an 11–0 run, and Flagg didn’t score a basket in the extra period as his rolled ankle limited his explosiveness.

Despite tying Mark Aguirre for the most points ever by a Mavericks rookie, Flagg focused on what went wrong.

“I’ve got to be better,” he admitted. “A couple of dumb turnovers, missed a couple easy ones… executing down the stretch.”

(Mark Aguirre)

A franchise centerpiece in the making

With Anthony Davis sidelined and Dallas dealing with multiple injuries, the Mavericks increasingly turned to Flagg as their offensive hub — and he delivered.

“We were going to Coop,” said P.J. Washington. “He was killing them the whole game. He’s a special player.”

(P.J. Washington)

Flagg, though, remains grounded. Records don’t interest him nearly as much as consistency.

“I’m not really focused on that stuff,” he said. “I’m just focused on being present, day to day, and getting better.”

At 18, Cooper Flagg is already rewriting NBA history. What’s clear after Monday night is this: he’s not chasing headlines — he’s chasing wins. And that mindset may matter more than any record he breaks along the way.

For more Update – DAILYGLOBALDIARY

Few people understand the standards of Manchester United quite like Edwin van der Sar — and after Monday night’s astonishing 4-4 draw against Bournemouth, the former Red Devils goalkeeper didn’t try to hide his disappointment.

As goals flew in at both ends at Old Trafford, United surrendered control time and again, turning what should have been a crucial win into another damaging setback. Watching from afar, Van der Sar summed up the mood of many fans with a short but stinging message on X (formerly Twitter).

“Quickly walked the dog at half time and what happened ffs in Manchester?” he wrote.

(Edwin van der Sar )
(Manchester United )

A night that slipped away — again

United went into the match knowing that a win would lift them to fifth place in the Premier League, tightening their grip on the top-four race. Instead, familiar defensive frailties returned.

Goals from Amad Diallo and Casemiro gave United a 2-1 lead at half-time, but the second half spiralled into chaos. Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier struck to put Bournemouth ahead, before captain Bruno Fernandes dragged United level with a superb free-kick into the top corner.

(Bruno Fernandes )

When Matheus Cunha finished off a blistering counter-attack late on, it looked like United had finally secured three vital points. But defensive concentration deserted them once more, allowing Eli Junior Kroupi to equalise in the 84th minute and stun Old Trafford.

(Matheus Cunha)

Van der Sar’s frustration boils over

After the final whistle, Van der Sar followed up his initial post with another pointed observation, acknowledging the goalkeeper’s late heroics — but making his disappointment clear.

“Pfff… two good saves at the end but disappointing result from the team to have another setback at home!” he wrote.

The saves he referenced came from Senne Lammens, whose quick reactions prevented Bournemouth from completing a dramatic late turnaround and stealing all three points.

(Senne Lammens )

Defensive worries persist under Amorim

United head coach Rúben Amorim made little effort to sugarcoat the performance afterwards. The Portuguese manager admitted the defending was “not good enough,” echoing concerns that have followed United throughout the season.

(Rúben Amorim )

For a club chasing consistency and credibility, conceding four goals at home — and nearly five — underlined why frustration is growing among former players and supporters alike.

Focus turns to Villa Park

There is little time for reflection. United now face a daunting trip to Aston Villa at Villa Park, a fixture that suddenly feels even heavier after points dropped at home.

For Van der Sar, the reaction was instinctive. For United, it was another reminder that progress in the Premier League isn’t just about scoring goals — it’s about controlling games when it matters most.

And on this night, control vanished.

for more Update – DAILYGLOBALDIARY