Two games into Minkah Fitzpatrick’s second NFL season, the Miami Dolphins traded the former Alabama All-American to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Six weeks later, the Steelers and the Dolphins squared off, with Fitzpatrick intercepting two passes in Pittsburgh’s 27-14 victory on Oct. 28, 2019.
Fitzpatrick became a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time first-team All-Pro safety with the Steelers.
But before training camp this year, Pittsburgh traded Fitzpatrick back to Miami. The Dolphins will play the Steelers at 7:15 p.m. CST Monday at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
“The only reason why it’s a big week this week is because we got a game and we got to win it,” Fitzpatrick said about his feelings toward returning to the Steel City.
Miami defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said that might not be all there is to Fitzpatrick’s Monday night attitude.
“I think that’s a credit to Mink,” Weaver said. “You know, it’s much bigger than you, right? And I know deep inside, regardless of what he says, it would mean a lot if we could walk off that field with a win. And I know he’s going to do everything possible within the scheme to protect his teammates and try to get that done.
“But, yeah, they all count the same, but some mean more.”
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Miami has won four games in a row to raise its record to 6-7, keeping the Dolphins’ slim playoff chances alive. During the winning streak, Miami has allowed 53 points, with no opponent scoring more than 17.
“I’m extremely proud of the way this team has stuck together,” Fitzpatrick said. “We started off not the way we wanted to. But instead of pointing fingers and separating, we all leaned more into each other. We all took accountability. We tried to figure out what each individual player could do better, and we just continued to fight.”
Fitzpatrick has 76 tackles, one interception and two fumble recoveries this season. The only other NFL players to match those totals are Los Angeles Rams linebacker Nathan Landman and Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith.
If Miami loses on Monday night, the Dolphins’ playoff possibilities will end.
At 7-6, Pittsburgh’s record is only one game better than Miami’s. But the Steelers have a one-half game lead on the Baltimore Ravens at the top of the AFC North standings.
A victory over the Dolphins would give Pittsburgh a one-game division lead with three weeks remaining on its regular-season schedule. A loss would leave the Steelers and Ravens with 7-7 records heading toward their meeting in the regular-season finale on Jan. 4.
In between, Pittsburgh plays the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore plays the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers.
The kickoff temperature in Pittsburgh on Monday night is forecast at 16 degrees. The Dolphins have played three games with a kickoff temperature of 16 or colder, but they’ve played one more recently than Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 13-10 on Dec. 24, 2022, at 9 degrees. Miami lost an AFC playoff game to the Kansas City Chiefs 26-7 at minus-4 on Jan. 13, 2024.
