Football
DK Metcalf had a breakout game in Week 4. One analyst thinks Metcalf will keep the good times rolling after the bye. Weighing in on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ best plan of attack to send the Cleveland Browns home with a loss, former Pro Football Focus analyst Steve Palazzolo predicts Metcalf eats Sunday afternoon.
“They’re gonna play a lot more man, the Browns,” Palazzolo told 93.7 The Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller Thursday afternoon. “So I would start to lean on DK Metcalf as more of a downfield threat. I know they had a couple more vertical-type routes for him last week. But I think this is where you lean into Aaron Rodgers. He’s still very accurate in one-on-one situations when you do play man against him. I think it’s a DK Metcalf-type of game.”
Against Minnesota, Metcalf finished with five receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown. His 80-yard touchdown was the showstopper and proof of why Pittsburgh acquired him in March. His YAC ability, underutilized in Seattle, has been on full display, a true height/weight/speed player capable of running away from everyone in the open field.
Metcalf is aiming to become Pittsburgh’s first back-to-back 100-yard receiver since George Pickens at the end of the 2023 season. He’ll draw a tough matchup against Browns top cornerback Denzel Ward. If Pittsburgh can find ways to shake that matchup and pit Metcalf against newly acquired CB Tyson Campbell, whom DC Jim Schwartz didn’t sound thrilled about acquiring, or UDFA rookie Dom Jones, it could lead to even bigger plays.
“Get the back-shoulder game going,” Palazzolo said. “Get him isolated one-on-one.”
Over the first five games, no team is playing more Cover 1 than the Browns’ 38 percent. The defense’s Cover 3 usage is 24 percent, meaning the team is playing single-high well more than half the time. That will create sideline chances for Metcalf to make plays.
Through four games, Metcalf leads the Steelers in targets (22), receptions (15), yards (261), and touchdowns (3). He’s been the only consistent outlet in Pittsburgh’s passing game while everyone else has seen their numbers ebb and flow.
For Metcalf to produce big numbers, Rodgers will need time in the pocket. That means protecting him against DE Myles Garrett and a Browns pass rush that is strong across the board. Another impressive game from Metcalf could vault Pittsburgh to 4-1 on the season and in even clearer control of the division.
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