The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently on a roll. The team has won three games in a row, and the group has a chance to win a fourth over a divisional opponent in Week 8 versus the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers lost to the Browns earlier in the year as the offense was inconsistent in the matchup and went dormant for a quarter or two. That is something that cannot happen this time around. That means the offense is going to have to be able to move the chains consistently while executing any red zone opportunities, which has been a problem in recent weeks.
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Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) looks on at Raymond James Stadium before a 2026 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.
Someone the Steelers are going to need a strong performance from in Week 8 is star wide receiver DK Metcalf. The Browns were able to have success against Pittsburgh earlier in the year because the defense for Cleveland was able to play a ton of man coverage, and the receivers for Pittsburgh could not get open consistently. That can't happen this week or else the offense is going to struggle mightily. Head Coach Mike McCarthy is going to need to scheme guys open, and players like Metcalf will have to execute.
Metcalf has had an up and down season through the first six games, but there is no question that quarterback Aaron Rodgers trusts him enough to continue to go to him in big moments. Rodgers continues to look for Metcalf on fades down the sideline and in the end zone, which beat writer Gerry Dulac expressed disdain for during a recent appearance on The DVE Morning Show.
"One thing that continues to just drive me crazy, is the 50/50 attempts they try on the sidelines to DK Metcalf," Dulac said. "That's just not him. I don't care about his size. That's like a 25/75 ball for him, his percentages of coming up with that are not very good. I mean that's not George Pickens out there, he's not that type of receiver. Get it to him in the middle of the field, let him run, throw the slant, do those kinds of things, but that jump ball on the sidelines, that's just not him."
Most fans would probably agree with Dulac on this take. It seems like Rodgers and the offense try to complete a pass like this at least once a game, and it does not work often. In Sunday's win over the New Orleans Saints, the balls Rodgers was delivering in those situations were not even catchable for the most part.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf catches a 51-yard pass at Stade de France in 2026 against the New Orleans Saints in Week 7.
The chances of the ball being intercepted, even if the throw is inbounds, are very unlikely. There is also a chance to draw a penalty on the defensive back, so it is somewhat understandable why the offense comes to this at times. However, it can often be viewed as a waste of a play. Metcalf seems to do better when he is given the ball in space, which is something Pittsburgh needs to find a way to do more of.
Dulac even mentioned the fact that Metcalf does not have the same abilities as former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, which has been very evident over the last year and a half.
Steelers Need Another Big Game From DK Metcalf In Week 8
One of Metcalf's best games of the 2026 season came against Cleveland earlier in the year as he caught five passes for 115 yards. He was a big reason the offense was able to climb back into the game, and he was the reason the Steelers even had a chance at the end. He didn't get too involved until the fourth quarter, but it is fair to assume that the offense is going to be relying on him early on against the Browns.
What do you think about this complaint from Dulac? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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