The Steelers are getting back their best offensive weapon in DK Metcalf. Will force-feeding him the ball play right into the Texans' hands, thought?
The Steelers' number one receiving threat, DK Metcalf, following a much-publicized altercation with a fan, was suspended for the final two games of the season. It put the Steelers behind the 8-ball as they were trying to hold off the Ravens and secure a playoff spot. Job one is done for them as they made it to the postseason with a home game as AFC North winners. The question then is how quickly can they re-integrate Metcalf, Rodgers’ favorite target throughout the course of the season.
If Rodgers tries to force the ball to Metcalf early and often, it could disrupt the rhythm gained by tight-end Pat Freiermuth and their double-headed running back monster of Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren. Both backs can catch out of the backfield as well and Gainwell was their leading receiver in the season finale.
Not only did Metcalf secure 59 catches, including six touchdowns, during his suspension-shortened campaign, but he was also targeted 99 times, so you know Rodgers will be looking in his direction. The Texans will have to be fundamentally sound to avoid letting Metcalf go deep, and with his big frame, he can work the intermediate routes as well.
Some coaches opt to play their starters the final week of the season strictly to keep the rhythm on and rust off. And we’ll find out early in the proceedings how in-rhythm Metcalf is. Then there is more of the rest approach, where teams like the Eagles rest their starters to protect players from injury, even with seeding this year and a rushing record last year, on the line. The rest would have meant nothing if the Steelers fell to the Ravens last week and their season was over, but now that they are in the postseason, Metcalf’s fresh legs could be a boost.
If the Steelers get off to a slow start or have to throw more because they're behind, it’s going to play right into the Texans' hands, and their star pass rush duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter can really get unleashed. If anyone can stay poised, it’s the 41-year-old veteran Rodgers, but he, nor anyone else in the league, wants to drop back to throw 30-40 times with those demons on the edges.
So the key will be for the Texans to get a lead, make Rodgers and the Steelers offense one-dimensional, and let their celebrated defense take over from that point.