A trendy preseason pick to go far in the postseason, the Detroit Lions won't be playing beyond Sunday at Soldier Field. One of their fans, however, continues to have a big impact on the NFL's playoff picture heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
The league suspended wide receiver DK Metcalf for the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers' final two games and levied a hefty fine against the team's best pass catcher for taking a swipe at Lions fan Ryan Kennedy in the second quarter of Pittsburgh's 29-24 victory two weeks ago.
Pittsburgh Steelers' DK Metcalf wipes his face on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Dec. 21, in Detroit.
Metcalf was sorely missed in the Steelers' 13-6 loss at Cleveland on Sunday that set up a winner-take-all showdown between Pittsburgh (9-7) and the Baltimore Ravens (8-8) this weekend. The winner wins the AFC North and gets to host a first-round playoff game. The losers clear out their lockers and pack for vacation.
The same scenario is playing out in the NFC between the Carolina Panthers (8-8) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9), with the winner claiming the NFC South title and a home playoff game against an NFC West team with a much better record.
Aaron Rodgers didn't find the end zone Sunday. On fourth-and-goal from the 7 with 21 seconds left, he targeted Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward and threw incomplete to Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Dec. 28, in Cleveland.
"That was definitely interference," Rodgers complained of the bang-bang play.
What Rodgers never saw on Pittsburgh's last-gasp play was running back Kenneth Gainwell uncovered and wide open underneath for a touchdown that would have given the Steelers the chance to tie the game or win it with a 2-point conversion and clinch the division.
The Steelers mustered just two field goals against Cleveland after averaging 28 points over their previous three games, all wins.
"Well, the biggest issue is they don't have DK Metcalf," studio analyst Jason Garrett said on the pregame show for NBC's Sunday Night Football telecast. "Pittsburgh's been playing small-ball on offense all year long. They run it and the ball comes out of Aaron's hand quickly in all the short stuff. And then when they get a chance, 1-on-1, they throw it to DK Metcalf and make an explosive play.
"Take him out of it, they're not very explosive," Garrett added. "They don't make big plays down the field and they don't score a lot of points."
"Yeah, today they played like they still had him, trying to go to those 1-on-1 matchups," concurred fellow studio analyst Devin McCourty, who suggested the Steelers are better off getting the ball into the hands of running backs Gainwell and Jaylen Warren than the patchwork receiving corps missing Metcalf.
"Getting the backs more involved will be the key for next week," McCourty predicted.
Garrett also had some friendly advice for the Steelers as they prepare to keep up with Ravens running back Derrick Henry, who's coming off a 216-yard, four-TD performance at Green Bay.
"You know, Baltimore watched the tape, so they're going to play man-to-man coverage," Garrett said. "I think the biggest thing for Arthur Smith, the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, he has to get the receivers in stacks and bunches and motions to loosen up the tight man-to-man coverage to wriggle those guys free."
Pittsburgh Steelers' DK Metcalf walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Dec. 21, in Detroit.
The Steelers find themselves in this precarious position because Metcalf lost his cool with the fan in Detroit, rendering him unavailable until next Monday â either in preparation for the playoffs or to clean out his locker.
Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson said on a podcast last week that Metcalf told him Kennedy used a racial slur and verbally disparaged Metcalf's mother, an allegation that Kennedy denied through his attorneys.
Coach Mike Tomlin said he didn't condone Metcalf's actions that led to his two-game ban but made clear Metcalf had his full support.
Having his back is one thing.
What Steelers Nation would certainly prefer is having Metcalf back on the field to extend their season.
Top photos from Week 17 of the NFL season
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba celebrates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers is introduced before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Mason Kinsey (12) reacts after being injured in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Fans try to get autographs after an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) catches a touchdown pass in the endzone during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (5) reacts after losing to the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates his touchdown reception against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals fans watch the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon breaks up a pass intended for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (80) celebrates after a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (5) celebrates his touchdown reception with tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (5) celebrates his touchdown reception against the New Orleans Saints in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner celebrates after scoring against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase takes the field before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike (17) reacts after making a first down reception against the New Orleans Saints in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) scores past Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) scores past Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) is hist by Tennessee Titans linebacker Cedric Gray (33) as he slides on a carry in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich (85) celebrates with tight end Darren Waller (83) after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs, right, is unable to catch a pass as Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
