What DK Metcalf's suspension means for the Browns this week

Even in a lost season, there is no better feeling than taking down a rival who is trying to claim a spot in the postseason.

The Cleveland Browns will have the opportunity to play spoiler next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and now with the Steelers losing a key piece of the offense, things got a little easier.

In Pittsburgh’s most recent game against the Detroit Lions, star wide receiver DK Metcalf was seen getting into an altercation with a fan that ended in Metcalf throwing a punch before walking away.

The NFL reviewed it, and Metcalf was suspended for two games, the rest of the regular season, for conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating a physical confrontation with a fan. Metcalf has the chance to appeal the ruling before the next game, but is unlikely to be cleared before the Steelers face the Browns.

Metcalf has caught 59 passes for 850 yards and six touchdowns this year, his first season with the Steelers.

This is a big break for the Browns, who have been dealing with injuries in the secondary over the past few weeks. Notably, cornerback Denzel Ward has missed the last two games, forcing nickel corner Myles Harden and recent addition Sam Webb to get more action.

It’s been a clear step down, with quarterbacks picking on those two instead of forcing anything towards Tyson Campbell, or either of the safeties. With Ward, quarterbacks had to make tougher decisions on the ball.

The Steelers wide receiver room will also likely be depleted for the game, with the speedy Calvin Austin currently questionable with an injury after missing this past week.

That leaves Scotty Miller, Adam Theilen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and rookie Roman Wilson as the top receivers for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to try and get the ball to.

That will leave Pittsburgh with a weakened pass game, which could be good for Myles Garrett’s chances at breaking the NFL’s single-season sack record, as long as the defense can slow the Steelers run game.

If the wide receivers can’t get open, Garrett is sure to be able to get home and bring Rodgers down at least once, which is all he would need for the record.

If Jaylen Warren is able to dominate Cleveland’s run defense the way teams have been able to over the past few weeks, the Steelers won’t even need to throw the ball.

If Cleveland is able to pull off the upset, and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Green Bay Packers, the division will remain open, with Pittsburgh still having a chance to miss the postseason entering the final week of the season.

The Browns will be doing everything they can to make this happen, and without a game changer like Metcalf, their odds of pulling it off just went up.