When the Pittsburgh Steelers squandered a golden opportunity against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, the focus quickly shifted to head coach Mike Tomlin and Browns star Myles Garrett. Tomlin is now 0-4-1 in his last five games against teams with records at least eight games below .500. Meanwhile, the Steelers clearly made an effort to prevent Garrett from breaking T.J. Watt's single-season sack record.
But we can't ignore the ramifications DK Metcalf's suspension is already having on this team.
Metcalf's two-game suspension was upheld after getting into a physical altercation with a Lions fan at Ford Field during Pittsburgh's impressive 29-24 win in Detroit in Week 16. But in just one week, the Steelers went from having their most encouraging offensive performance of the season to having their worst.
Against the Lions, the Steelers put up 481 total yards on offense en route to a pivotal win. However, the very next week in Cleveland, quarterback Aaron Rodgers mustered up just 168 passing yards on 41 drop-backs (3.9 yards per drop-back).
Metcalf's absence is partially to blame... and his suspension could have catastrophic consequences on the Steelers' 2025 season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could fall short of the playoffs without DK Metcalf
Though we don't know if Metcalf's presence would have made the difference in the game in Week 17, it's hard to imagine that he couldn't have made a few more plays down the field than Marquez Valdes-Scantling. MVS was targeted nine times but recorded a mere 21 yards.
Meanwhile, the combination of Valdez-Scantling, Scotty Miller, and Adam Thielen was good for mustering up just 60 receiving yards on 21 targets (2.8 yards per target). Without a No. 1 receiver to threaten the defense, the Steelers had nobody who could get open and win consistently.
Not only did Metcalf's absence hurt the Steelers in Week 17, but it could also prove to be enough to derail their 2025 season. Metcalf is suspended for the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football. The Ravens are coming off a road win over the Green Bay Packers, which included 41 points in the stunning victory.
While this Steelers vs. Ravens matchup could prove to be a low-scoring slugfest between two heated AFC North rivals, Rodgers needs someone he can turn to in the passing game. And with Darnell Washington out with a broken arm suffered in the Week 17 loss, the Steelers need Metcalf now more than ever.
If the Steelers wind up losing their second straight game, and the offense looks bad once again, fans will wonder if DK Metcalf's absence is what kept Pittsburgh from earning a playoff berth.