The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild-Card round Monday night. Here’s a key matchup to watch:
Houston’s Derek Stingley Jr. vs. Pittsburgh’s DK Metcalf
Derek Stingley Jr.
Cornerback
6-foot-1, 195 pounds
Age: 24
The ‘Sting’ of Stingley
Considered among the NFL’s elite cornerbacks, don’t be surprised if Stingley lines up across from Metcalf quite often Monday night. The Texans coaches can confidently ask the fourth-year pro to neutralize an opponent’s top receiving threat — a job he’s had success with. Statistically, he’s allowed receptions on 43.3% of passes thrown his way, which ranks best in the NFL among defensive backs facing at least 50 targets. He has allowed 29 catches on 67 targets.
Ready for ‘Prime Time’
The prototypical boundary corner has the speed needed to run down receivers and the size to battle with them. But it’s his ability to intercept passes that prompted coach DeMeco Ryans to compare Stingley to Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, saying the Texans star has some of the best hands he’s seen. Stingley picked off four passes this season, upping his career total to 15. He returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders for his first career pick-6.
Key stat
3: Receiving touchdowns allowed on 67 targets. An 8-yard TD catch by Indianapolis’ Alec Pierce last week was the first given up by Stingley in nine weeks.
Background check
A two-time All-American at LSU (and a national champion, too), Stingley was the third overall pick by Houston in 2022.
Did you know?
Stingley’s grandfather, the late Darryl Stingley, played five seasons for the New England Patriots as a wide receiver before a hit from the Raiders’ Jack Tatum left him paralyzed. A first-round draft pick in 1973, Darryl Stingley caught 110 passes for 1,883 yards and 14 touchdowns.
DK Metcalf
Wide receiver
6-foot-4, 229 pounds
Age: 28
Match up with Metcalf
It’s no secret that Metcalf is the Steelers’ primary option at wide receiver. He’s been targeted 99 times — almost twice as often as any other wideout on the roster (Calvin Austin III has 55). Metcalf has turned his chances into 59 receptions for 850 yards and six touchdowns. He brings an elite combination of size and speed. Among all wide receivers, Metcalf ranks third in the NFL with eight broken tackles, adding to his 414 yards after the catch with a physicality needed from him Monday.
Big-play potential
A suspension forced Metcalf to sit out the past two games, and his absence was evident. In a Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns (with Austin also out), the Steelers receivers combined for no catches on 21 targets. Last week, their output improved to 141 yards on 13 receptions, but Metcalf’s return is welcomed. He has just three receptions longer than 40 yards this season, but the Texans must respect his big-play potential. His long is an 80-yarder.
Key stat
37: The number of receiving first downs earned by Metcalf. The Steelers’ other wideouts have 39 combined.
Background check
A two-time Pro Bowl pick in six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Metcalf was acquired in March via trade.
Did you know?
Metcalf’s father, Terrence Metcalf, was inducted last month into the College Football Hall of Fame. An All-American offensive lineman at Ole Miss, he later played seven seasons for the Chicago Bears.