Steelers' DK Metcalf Is In A "Great Place" Ahead Of Massive Wild Card Game

Last Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 in a thrilling game that saw the Black and Gold win the AFC North for the first time since 2020. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 294 yards and a touchdown, doing so without his top wide receiver, DK Metcalf, who was serving the second game of his two-game suspension. The offense looked dynamic in the second half, as both the running game and passing game came alive. The Steelers are now set to face the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on Monday night, the team with the number one defense in the NFL. 

Metcalf now returns to the lineup for the first time since Week 16, when the team beat the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The offense has survived without its star receiver, but it certainly hasn't been easy. The team scored just six points in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns, but now that Metcalf is back, they have their deep-threat receiver returning and a solid blocker in the run game. Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked at his Tuesday press conference about Metcalf and his current mental state.

"I think he's in a great place. He's happy to be back. He's happy to be in the tournament. Ready to go to work," Tomlin explained.

The Steelers sent a second-round draft pick to acquire the star receiver back in the 2025 offseason. It looked like it would be Metcalf and George Pickens as the Steelers' top wide receivers heading into the season, until the team sent Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft. Metcalf has been decent for the Steelers this season, given his circumstances. 

The team was unable to obtain a viable wide receiver to complement him, so teams have zeroed in on stopping the big receiver. Metcalf, despite this, still averages 14.4 yards per reception and has six touchdowns. He's electric with the ball in his hands, but they've had issues getting him the ball. 

Will Metcalf's Return Be Enough For The Steelers In The Playoffs?

The Steelers' two games without Metcalf were night and day. In one game, they scored six points; in the next, they put up 26. In both matchups, the Steelers ran the ball well. It was the passing attacks that made the difference. Rodgers couldn't get anything going against the Browns, but was electric against the Ravens. The team got contributions from veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen. Still, the biggest one was undoubtedly Calvin Austin III, who scored the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

So with Metcalf coming back, it takes the pressure off these guys, but is he enough? The Texans boast the NFL's best defense in yards allowed. Their secondary is lockdown, led by star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who is an All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler. Metcalf hasn't played football in two weeks, while the Texans' defense has been terrorizing opposing offenses, riding a nine-game win streak. That's a tough ask for a guy who has struggled at times to get open this season to come in against the NFL's best defense and maybe best secondary. Luckily for the Steelers, this game is in Pittsburgh. The game is going to be a cold one; we will see how the Texans players respond to the weather. The Steelers have played in the cold in three of their last four games. We will see how willing the Texans are to tackle when the game gets tough.

What do you think? Will Metcalf move the needle enough for the Steelers against the Texans? Do you think the two weeks off will affect him and his acclimation to the game? Let us know in the comments.

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