Fresh off a season-best performance in Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens in which he hauled in seven passes for 148 yards, connecting time and time again with quarterback Aaron Rodgers on shots down the field, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf finds himself facing another advantageous matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Metcalf will find himself matched up against 31-year-old cornerback Rasul Douglas at times throughout the Monday night battle on the North Shore. While frigid conditions could hinder the passing attack, Metcalf has a chance to provide some heat to the Steelers’ passing game for the second straight week.
Though Douglas is playing some good football as of late, the Dolphins’ secondary has been susceptible to the big plays this season. And with the way the Steelers performed last week in the passing game, there’s a chance Rodgers and Metcalf keep the good vibes rolling.
It’ll come down to Metcalf versus Douglas though, a matchup that Pro Football Focus highlighted as one of its 10 best individual matchups in Week 15.
“Although both teams have been inconsistent — and borderline bad for stretches — of 2025, the Dolphins and Steelers enter their Week 15 primetime showdown trending upward, and with a chance of making it to the playoffs. In particular, key in on this battle between two good veterans,” PFF’s Bradley Locker writes of Metcalf and Douglas. “The Dolphins’ defense has been susceptible through the air, surrendering explosive passes at the sixth-highest rate (14.9%). Aaron Rodgers and Metcalf will look to capitalize on that on Monday night, but the wideout will have to get past a strong cover corner.”
Douglas signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in the offseason after a strong stint with the Buffalo Bills in the second half of 2023 and then the 2024 season. So far in Miami, Douglas has been a stabilizing presence. He has two interceptions this season and has allowed a reception on just 54.5% of the targets his way in coverage, according to PFF.
Douglas has played 606 snaps and holds a PFF grade of 77.6 overall, putting him fifth overall in grades at the cornerback position. That’s pretty impressive stuff.
Metcalf will be a major challenge though. He’s big, strong and fast, and is playing with some confidence now. Though he’s coming off a stomach issue that popped up after the win over the Ravens, leading to a short stay in the hospital, Metcalf seems no worse for the wear and could be in line for another explosive performance.
The Steelers were more aggressive last week, and it showed in Metcalf’s numbers. He had his second-highest yards per route run average (4.48) and fourth-highest average depth of target (14.8) of the season. He was also 1-for-2 in contested-catch situations.
The Steelers made it a point of emphasis to be aggressive and push the ball, and when they did it went to Metcalf. That has to continue. And he needs to continue to step up and prove he’s the type of wide receiver the Steelers thought they were getting in an offseason trade with Seattle.
Making plays in the matchup against Douglas will go a long way for the Steelers on Monday night.