DB’s Steelers Dudes & Duds: Running Backs Run Wild, DK Metcalf Drama Looms

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DB’s Steelers Dudes & Duds: Running Backs Run Wild, DK Metcalf Drama Looms

Derrick Bell · Steelers Now

Mon, Dec 22, 2025 ·

6 min read

Dudes: RBs Jaylen Warren & Kenneth Gainwell

Coming into week 16, the Steelers had the second-lowest explosive run rate in the entire NFL, but they managed to generate a season-high seven runs of 10+ yards against the Lions. With the help of some creative concepts from Arthur Smith and an ascending, young offensive line, they controlled the tempo with a cool 57% rushing success rate on early downs. Warren's 143 yards were the most of his NFL career, and he delivered multiple 45-yard daggers in the fourth quarter. Gainwell's snag of an underthrow deep ball right before the half is one of the best catches that you'll ever see from a tailback. This was a statement game from the duo.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf in a game against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 21, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Dud: WR DK Metcalf

Sunday was not the best performance from Pittsburgh's WR1, to say the least. Metcalf was clamped up on a couple fade routes down the sideline in the first half, dropped an accurate in-breaker from Aaron Rodgers , and was tagged with an albeit questionable offensive pass interference penalty. The pairing did hook up for a back-shoulder fade in the second half to get them out of a tough spot, but the production was middling for nine targets on 49 dropbacks. However, the biggest story is that Metcalf lost his cool on a heckling fan right before halftime, appearing to strike him from below. As of right now, we don't know the entire context, but that may not matter all that much to the NFL from a disciplinary perspective.

Dudes: WRs Adam Thielen & Scotty Miller

Part of what makes this Steelers run feel a little bit magical is just the sheer amount of castoffs that have turned into contributors this season. With Calvin Austin banged up, Thielen stepped up big time with a couple of key first downs over the middle of the field right before the break. After halftime, it was Miller who rose to the occasion twice on a big drive, with a toe-tapping snag on the sideline and a nice contested catch to move the sticks. Rodgers was excellent on late downs throughout the game, trusting his pass protection and that the veteran wideouts would be in the correct spot. Kudos.

Dud: CB Asante Samuel Jr.

It was far from the worst performance that we've seen from a Steelers corner this season, but there were definitely a couple of reps that Samuel wanted back. He struggled to sort through the trash underneath on a mesh concept, which resulted in a non-competitive score allowed. He was also flagged for holding on special teams, which backed the offense up into a less favorable starting field position. He's also been a boom-or-bust type of player throughout his career, and with the inherent volatility of the cornerback position, these are things you have to live with. The health of James Pierre , who is dealing with a calf injury, will likely determine how much playing time he receives in the near future.

Dude: CB Joey Porter Jr.

The Penn State product has now gone roughly 1,400 coverage snaps without allowing a touchdown in coverage, by far the longest streak in the NFL. He forced multiple incompletions early in the contest, blanketing Amon-Ra St. Brown on a choice route and regularly using his length as a weapon at the catch point. When it comes to being isolated on an island on the boundary, there are few guys in the league as sticky in man coverage as this dude is. That is still very valuable. If the rest of his game, run support, and zone coverage awareness were to ever catch up, he'd be entering some lofty company for his position. This was a strong outing versus great competition.

Dude: Steelers Run Defense

Pittsburgh's front has been much maligned for their struggles to stop the run over the course of the season, but over the last two weeks they've stepped up to the plate in a big way. They held the Lions to 1.3 yards per play and a measly 16.7% success rate, both of which were their worst marks of the entire season. Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the most explosive players that we have in the game, and his longest carry went for six yards in this one. There's plenty of credit to go around for dominating up front against a banged-up Detroit offensive line, but none more deserving than Cam Heyward , who has been on fire in recent showings. This is the kind of stuff that matters when the weather gets colder as we approach the playoffs.

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