The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 season seemed to be over after a brutal loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. Fans were calling for Mike Tomlin's job, and it appeared like some actual organizational changes might be made during the 2026 offseason if the downward trend continued. In true Steelers fashion, Tomlin was able to turn his team around and find a way to beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. The win puts Pittsburgh in first place in the AFC North, and the team is now in the driver's seat in the division throughout the rest of the 2025 season.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 in Baltimore, MD.
Pittsburgh played one of its more complete games of the 2025 season in the win over the Ravens. The running game on both sides of the ball weren't great, but outside of that, the team played really well and found a way to get the win. The player of the game was certainly star wide receiver DK Metcalf, who was making big plays throughout the matchup. He finished the game with seven catches for 148 yards, and he even chipped in on special teams as he took a rep as a gunner on the punt team.
On the final punt return, @dkm14 took on two Ravens players at gunner for a crucial flip in field position 😳 @Steelers pic.twitter.com/Lw7Yql57Dg
— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
This is a rarity in the NFL. Starters on offense aren't often taking any reps on special teams, let alone a star wide receiver going in to cover a punt. Metcalf lined up as a gunner and took on two players from the Ravens as he ran down the field, and he did a good job of fighting through the players from Baltimore to get down the field and get in position.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' DK Metcalf celebrates after a big catch during the 2025 season in a win on the road over the Ravens.
Metcalf playing on special teams is not something fans should get used to. He is one of the organization's highest-paid players, and NFL franchises don't typically put their best players out on the field on special teams because there is always a risk of them getting hurt. This was a rare occasion. Metcalf saw Ben Skowronek, a usual gunner for Pittsburgh, dealing with a finger injury and attempted to take his spot on the punt team. Skowronek allowed him to, and Skowronek then took Brandin Echols' spot on the other side of the formation after feeling good enough to still participate in the play.
Skowronek finger was hurt and DK just said the hell with it and went out. Said he was gunner once in college https://t.co/NechlCpIU1
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) December 8, 2025
Skowronek was initially going to take the play off, but he ran back out on the field to replace Echols as the other gunner. This was a smart move as the Ravens were going to have to be passing on their next drive due to it being the end of the game, which meant Echols was going to have to be back in coverage. Skowronek getting back on the field allowed Echols to save his breath on what was a meaningless punt in the grand scheme of things.
Steelers' Ben Skowronek May Be One Of Team's Few Pro Bowlers
The Steelers have had a fairly up and down season in 2025, and it should not be expected for the team to have a ton of Pro Bowlers when the year comes to an end. However, one player that will possibly make the Pro Bowl is Skowronek. He is near the top of the voting for special teams players, and he more than deserves it as he constantly shows tremendous effort and is always finding ways to make plays.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Ben Skowronek celebrates after catching a pass for a first down during a road game against the Baltimore Ravens in 2025.
He is also a factor on offense as he is leaned on as a reliable blocker, and he can be relied upon to catch passes as well.
What do you think about Metcalf taking a snap on special teams? Let us know in the comments below!
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