ExtremeRavens Posted 17 hours ago Posted 17 hours ago The Ravens knew who was getting the ball in their Week 14 loss to Pittsburgh — and still couldn’t stop it. After receiver DK Metcalf scorched Baltimore’s secondary for seven catches and 148 yards, quarterback Aaron Rodgers said that he “just had to keep feeding him.” The Steelers won’t have that option Sunday. Pittsburgh will be without its top receiver for what amounts to a de facto AFC North championship game, as Metcalf serves the second and final game of a suspension stemming from an altercation with a fan during the Steelers’ 29-24 win over Detroit on Dec. 21. Baltimore could benefit. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr, however, isn’t expecting much to change. And Baltimore still needs to make Metcalf’s absence matter. “Obviously, DK, he’s a heck of a player, one of the top receivers in the league. But Aaron Rodgers and [offensive coordinator] Arthur Smith, they’re running the same offense,” Orr said. “You’re [still] going against a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers who can pinpoint the ball where he wants.” Metcalf’s 148 yards and seven catches were both season highs. He also was the only receiver to be targeted more than three times, finishing the game with 12 targets. His 850 yards and eight touchdowns are also team bests. The loss of Metcalf was felt last Sunday during a 13-6 loss to the Browns to force Sunday night’s divisional title match. Rodgers averaged a season-low 4.3 yards per attempt with 168 passing yards. He also completed just 3 of 10 passes of more than 10 yards. Pittsburgh tried to replicate the 6-foot-4, 229-pound receiver with fellow big-bodied wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, with dissimilar results. Rodgers targeted Valdes-Scantling a game-high nine times, only connecting three times for 21 yards. Three targets came in the red zone on Pittsburgh’s final drive, all falling incomplete. It was the most targets for the 31-year-old since the 2021 season with Rodgers in Green Bay, and a mark he’s only hit six times in an eight-year career. “I don’t see anything changing much, and they have capable receivers,” Orr said. “I don’t think the preparation changes at all.” Orr still expects the Steelers to take deep shots on the outside in one-on-one scenarios. Coach John Harbaugh has respect for the Steelers’ running backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, who have combined for 100 receptions and 722 receiving yards this year. The pair had nine catches for 66 yards in their last meeting, with Warren recording a touchdown reception. “They’ll have like a — we call it an escort-type of a flare pass — and really, it’s a run play if they dump it out there,” Harbaugh said. “Aaron does an incredible job of sorting all that stuff out [and] screens.” Outside of tight end Pat Freiermuth, the options thin quickly. He finished with three receptions for 63 yards against Cleveland. Receiver Calvin Austin III is next in line, though production has been modest — 28 catches for 317 yards this season. He’s managing a hamstring injury, too. Scotty Miller is a possibility. He has just seven receptions this year, three of them coming against the Browns. Tight end Jonnu Smith could see an expanded role after Darnell Washington was placed on injured reserve with a broken arm. Smith has 22 receptions. There’s also Adam Thielen, 35, signed by Pittsburgh in early December, though production has been limited. Roman Wilson, a 2024 third-round draft pick, has just 21 catches this year. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin believes that with an extra week of preparation without his top receiver, Pittsburgh can generate more downfield plays against Baltimore. “It’s a reasonable expectation, from my perspective, particularly with an additional week to prepare, that we put together a thoughtful plan and that we our guys to take advantage of our opportunities, and if and when they do present themselves, that we make the plays,” Tomlin said. Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf catches the ball against Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins earlier this season. Metcalf won't play in Sunday's Week 18 game. (Terrance Williams/AP) Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith was more dismissive when asked about facing a Metcalf-less Steelers offense Sunday: “Can’t worry about who’s not out there. It don’t matter.” Smith’s sentiment matters for the Ravens. Especially after allowing Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis to pass for 288 yards last weekend. Green Bay’s Christian Watson finished with 113 receiving yards, the third-highest total of his career. Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed added 62 and 41 yards, respectively. None are A-tier receivers in the mold of Metcalf — a similar, patchwork group Rodgers will throw to Sunday. Smith expects the Steelers to lean more heavily on the run without Metcalf and attempt to control the game script. For him, the key will be stopping the run and forcing Pittsburgh to throw. “We stop the run, make them one-dimensional and know that you can get predictable in that sense,” Smith said. Stop the run and force Rodgers into predictable passing situations, and the Ravens could dictate the night. They believe, at least. Fail to do so, and Baltimore risks letting the Steelers control the script — again. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.