One of several issues that have gotten in the way of the Steelers winning more games this season is an inability to consistently put games on ice. They either completely blow a halftime lead or they allow the opponent to hang around long enough to make it a much closer games than it needs to be.
Perhaps for the first time all season, the Steelers finally managed to put a game away rather early, resulting in a 28-15 victory over the Dolphins on Monday night at Acrisure Stadium. And in this game, DK Metcalf was the one to put the game away early, doing it in style.
The Steelers were leading 14-3 late in the third quarter, a nice two-score lead. They've had plenty of those this season, but seldom held onto them. Based on precedent, the offense would either turn in an empty possession or add on a field goal, keeping it a two-score game. The offense was driving and got into Chris Boswell's field goal range, even on a night with temperatures in the teens.
Facing third-and-12 from the Miami 28, it looked like the Steelers were about to settle for a field goal, allowing the Dolphins to hang around. However, Aaron Rodgers was given a clean pocket and had plenty of time to let the play develop. Rodgers then found Metcalf over the middle of the field, and the Steelers' No. 1 receiver did the rest:
I mean, where to even begin with a play like this? For now, I'll take a back seat to Rodgers' account.
"The play by DK was one of the better plays I've seen in my 21 years," Rodgers said after the game. "There is a play by (Donald) Driver back in 2009, which was one of the greatest catch-and-runs I've ever seen. That was pretty special. Yeah. Tight window, catch, juke, hard stiff-arm. That was fun to see him get that one."
The throw from Rodgers was ridiculous. It was a prototypical Rodgers fastball, thrown in the only spot it could be caught and neither batted down nor intercepted. Then Metcalf took over, starting by throwing Minkah Fitzaptrick off him, reminiscent of Darnell Washington batting away defenders like flies. He then made another guy miss, got behind the block by Calvin Austin III, stiff-armed another guy and trotted into the end zone like it's a routine play.
The play itself was a feat of Rodgers' arm and Metcalf's special blend of size, strength, speed and athleticism. And it also put the team up 21-3, increasing the advantage to three scores. This made the Dolphins one-dimensional, having to leave De'Von Achane's running ability out of the equation. That was the whole game plan by the defense, and the offense could help make that a reality by getting up big and forcing the opponent to throw their way back into the game.
The Steelers have been a very inconsistent, up-and-down team this season. For them to put a game on ice in the third quarter against a red-hot team is a pleasant surprise. And it couldn't have come at a better time. The win helps the Steelers maintain first place in the AFC North. And if they win each of their final three games, they'll not only win the division, but host at least one playoff game.
Maybe Monday night can be a blueprint for how to win these final three games. If Rodgers continues throwing like this and Metcalf can once again look like a grown man playing with little boys, accomplishing that feat isn't the most outlandish thought.
THE ASYLUM
The Big Play: Metcalf's exclamation point
One of several issues that have gotten in the way of the Steelers winning more games this season is an inability to consistently put games on ice. They either completely blow a halftime lead or they allow the opponent to hang around long enough to make it a much closer games than it needs to be.
Perhaps for the first time all season, the Steelers finally managed to put a game away rather early, resulting in a 28-15 victory over the Dolphins on Monday night at Acrisure Stadium. And in this game, DK Metcalf was the one to put the game away early, doing it in style.
The Steelers were leading 14-3 late in the third quarter, a nice two-score lead. They've had plenty of those this season, but seldom held onto them. Based on precedent, the offense would either turn in an empty possession or add on a field goal, keeping it a two-score game. The offense was driving and got into Chris Boswell's field goal range, even on a night with temperatures in the teens.
Facing third-and-12 from the Miami 28, it looked like the Steelers were about to settle for a field goal, allowing the Dolphins to hang around. However, Aaron Rodgers was given a clean pocket and had plenty of time to let the play develop. Rodgers then found Metcalf over the middle of the field, and the Steelers' No. 1 receiver did the rest:
I mean, where to even begin with a play like this? For now, I'll take a back seat to Rodgers' account.
"The play by DK was one of the better plays I've seen in my 21 years," Rodgers said after the game. "There is a play by (Donald) Driver back in 2009, which was one of the greatest catch-and-runs I've ever seen. That was pretty special. Yeah. Tight window, catch, juke, hard stiff-arm. That was fun to see him get that one."
The throw from Rodgers was ridiculous. It was a prototypical Rodgers fastball, thrown in the only spot it could be caught and neither batted down nor intercepted. Then Metcalf took over, starting by throwing Minkah Fitzaptrick off him, reminiscent of Darnell Washington batting away defenders like flies. He then made another guy miss, got behind the block by Calvin Austin III, stiff-armed another guy and trotted into the end zone like it's a routine play.
The play itself was a feat of Rodgers' arm and Metcalf's special blend of size, strength, speed and athleticism. And it also put the team up 21-3, increasing the advantage to three scores. This made the Dolphins one-dimensional, having to leave De'Von Achane's running ability out of the equation. That was the whole game plan by the defense, and the offense could help make that a reality by getting up big and forcing the opponent to throw their way back into the game.
The Steelers have been a very inconsistent, up-and-down team this season. For them to put a game on ice in the third quarter against a red-hot team is a pleasant surprise. And it couldn't have come at a better time. The win helps the Steelers maintain first place in the AFC North. And if they win each of their final three games, they'll not only win the division, but host at least one playoff game.
Maybe Monday night can be a blueprint for how to win these final three games. If Rodgers continues throwing like this and Metcalf can once again look like a grown man playing with little boys, accomplishing that feat isn't the most outlandish thought.
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