Steelers' DK Metcalf Facing Severe Guilt Over Possibly Costing Pittsburgh The AFC North Title

Pittsburgh Steelers superstar wide receiver DK Metcalf came to the Steel City with hopes that he and Aaron Rodgers could form quite the duo. There have been moments between Rodgers and Metcalf that have been super exciting, but overall, it has been a bit of a disappointment from the Steelers’ end, considering what they invested in Metcalf and what they gave up in the trade to acquire him. Expectations were high for the pair to dominate together, but the results have so far fallen short of what the organization and fans were hoping for.

The Steelers also traded wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, citing concerns that he could not control his emotions in games. Ironically, it now appears that Metcalf has caused just as many, if not more, issues than Pickens. Metcalf was suspended for two games following an altercation with a Detroit Lions fan during the Week 16 contest. He missed Week 17 and will also miss Week 18 while serving his suspension, leaving a major hole in the Steelers’ offense. Their 13-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns was largely attributed to Metcalf’s absence, showing just how much his unavailability hurts the team.

Now, with Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens approaching, the Steelers face a must-win situation to secure a playoff spot, and they will have to do it without Metcalf. NFL analyst and former QB Dan Orlovsky, speaking on Get Up Monday morning, detailed the guilt Metcalf will have to face for costing his team crucial games. The pressure is on the Steelers to perform, and the team will need others to step up in Metcalf’s absence if they hope to salvage their postseason hopes.

"If they lose that game because DK Metcalf is not there, and honestly, I think they lose the division because DK Metcalf is not there, that is gonna be something he has to deal with," Orlovsky said while speaking on Get Up Monday morning. "If you just watch the way that game plays out… they could not win in the pass game. Every pass from Aaron [Rodgers], if it wasn’t under five yards, it was down the field and it had to be absolutely perfect. Then there were some throws that were kind of close, but just not perfect enough, and then other moments where guys just are not open."

Just a game ago, the Steelers and Head Coach Mike Tomlin were being celebrated, and now they are facing the possibility of missing the playoffs. 

The sudden turn of events has left fans stunned and questioning what went wrong in the final stretch of the season.

"So you are looking back a week or so ago, maybe 10 days ago, that the Steelers are gonna walk away with this division—what a final end to their season and what a great job by Mike Tomlin," Orlovsky said. "Now you are like, oh my gosh, they lost to the Browns because they couldn’t score a touchdown and people couldn’t get open. Now you have to go play Baltimore, and I don’t care if they have Lamar [Jackson] or not, but not having DK [Metcalf] totally chokes this thing open."

Steelers Facing Win-Or-Go-Home Scenario In Week 18

The Steelers now must rally together and prove they can win without their superstar wide receiver. Every player on the roster will need to step up if Pittsburgh hopes to punch their ticket to the playoffs. 

One thing is clear: the margin for error is gone, and the team cannot afford another misstep.

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