Steelers' DK Metcalf Takes A Shot At Ravens' Poor Defensive Game Plan

The Pittsburgh Steelers had not completed a pass with at least 20 air yards throughout the entire month of November, which included five games. The offense buried those narratives six feet under with multiple deep balls throughout a Week 14 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The offensive game plan in the contest was to stretch the field vertically by any means necessary, and it worked. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had 284 passing yards and took no sacks. This was arguably the best offensive performance since a Week 7 loss on Thursday Night Football.

During his postgame press conference, wide receiver DK Metcalf explained why the offensive unit was so successful in that endeavor. During that process, he took a shot at the Ravens' defensive game plan for being easy to exploit.

"I didn't see too much safety help over the top today," Metcalf said. "I think that was a big big thing of how we got to throw a lot of the balls down the field."

Metcalf had seven receptions for 148 yards in a big bounce-back game for him, which involved a big play to begin each half. That included a 52-yard connection on the very first offensive play of the game for Pittsburgh. The Ravens were not double-teaming him, so of course a smart, veteran quarterback like Rodgers would recognize that and just throw the ball up to one of his playmakers. That should keep the media quiet about Metcalf's lack of production for a little while now. 

Metcalf was primarily guarded by cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who has not been good on the outside for a couple weeks. He has excelled as a slot corner, but the Steelers' 12-personnel sets took away the need for a guy in the middle, so he shifted back outside. The results speak for themselves, and it is clear that the Ravens did not adjust well to that. That's why the score was 27-16 in the third quarter before Pittsburgh took its foot off the gas. 

When you combine a player that does not do well as an outside cornerback with a scheme that involves little-to-no safety help, you are just asking to get burnt as a defensive coordinator. Zach Orr has received a lot of flak from Ravens fans for his inability to create schemes and call plays, and games like Sunday prove them right. Rodgers and Metcalf had a game that they desperately needed, and a lot of it was thanks to Orr's questionable decisions.

Other Steelers Also Had Huge Plays Through The Air

Wide receiver Calvin Austin III had just one reception, but it was a 31-yard catch down the sideline in one-on-one man coverage. He got tackled by his ankles after making the reception, which was very fortunate for the Ravens. He would have scored had the cornerback not gotten just enough of him to bring him down. It was a big play that showed why Orr should have had safety help throughout the game. 

A poorly-timed blitz led to running back Jaylen Warren going untouched on a 38-yard check-down that turned into a touchdown. The wild part about that play was that Pat Freiermuth was also wide open behind the defense, and he could have also scored easily. Receivers were running free all day long, and it exposed Orr bad.

The rest of the NFL has figured out that if it run a Cover 2 shell, those big plays won't happen. Orr did not get that message, and it cost the Ravens the division lead. They have now lost back-to-back games against AFC North opponents, and they are on the outside looking in. The Steelers will take this boost of confidence and try to use it for the rest of the season.

What do you think about Metcalf calling out Orr and his defense? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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