Pittsburgh Steelers: DK Metcalf Visits Hospital With Stomach Pains
Ravens-Steelers matchups are always physical, and Pittsburgh wide receiver DK Metcalf now knows that firsthand.
Metcalf stayed overnight in a Baltimore hotel Sunday after taking a blow to the stomach during Pittsburgh's 27-22 victory, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Metcalf was reportedly experiencing stomach pains on the team plane and was sent to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. He was scheduled to fly back to Pittsburgh on Monday.
There was no immediate word on Metcalf's status for the Steelers' Week 15 game on Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins. Metcalf had a season-high seven catches for 148 yards against Baltimore, and his production as the No. 1 receiver is critical to Pittsburgh's offense.
Sunday's victory gave the Steelers (7-6) a one-game lead over Baltimore (6-7) in the AFC North, but the Ravens will still win the division if they win out.
Cleveland Browns: Kevin Stefanski Names Sheduer Sanders the Starter for the Rest of the Year
Shedeur Sanders had his most productive day since taking over as the Browns' starting quarterback, throwing for 364 yards and three touchdowns and running for one score.
However, Sanders was not on the field for Cleveland's potential game-tying two-point conversion attempt during a 31-29 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
After Sanders' 7-yard touchdown pass with 1:03 left, the Browns took Sanders off the field for the two-point conversion and went to the Wildcat formation. Running back Quinshon Judkins took a direct snap and never handed it off to Gage Larvadain for a possible reverse. Judkins eventually launched a pass that fell incomplete, and the Browns suffered their second straight defeat.
Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, who handed over playcalling duties to Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees after Week 9, took the blame for the two-point failure.
"Not going to get into all the specifics but obviously it did not go as we thought it would," Stefanski said via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com.
Stefanski said he had already decided on the Wildcat play as the offense was moving down the field.
"I make every call. ... I'm responsible for all of it," Stefanski said.
Sanders took the high road when asked about not being in the game for the crucial play.
"If I'm out there any play, I wish I would always have the ball in my hand," Sanders said. "… I know we practiced something and we executed it in practice, and we just didn't seem to this day. So, I would never go against kind of what the call was or anything."
The Browns fell to 3-10 and were officially eliminated from the playoffs. But much of the focus in Cleveland has already shifted to the offseason and what decisions the Browns will make, and how Sanders fits in. He surprisingly fell to the fifth round in the draft but has five touchdown passes and two interceptions in his three starts.
The Browns will give the rookie an extended look, as Stefanski named Sanders as the team's starter for the remainder of the season.
"He fought throughout the game, which we knew he would," Stefanski said. "Obviously, with any young player, there's going to be ups and downs, and I thought there were some really, really, really good moments. He'll keep learning from some of the plays that he wants back, but some really good moments."
Cincinnati Bengals: Focus is on Beating Baltimore With Playoff Hopes Fading
The Bengals’ playoff hopes are slim after a tough 39-34 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but Head Coach Zac Taylor said Cincinnati will be ready to host the Ravens on Sunday in Week 15.
"I know we're up against the wall here with whatever our opportunities are, but we got a big home game this week in the division," Taylor said via Ben Baby of ESPN.com. "So we have to be able to pick ourselves up and find a way to go respond."
The Bengals won in Baltimore on Thanksgiving night and can further damage the Ravens' playoff hopes by sweeping the season series.
Joe Burrow made a rapid return from foot surgery to face the Ravens after missing nine games. He's relishing being back in action, whether or not the Bengals make the playoffs. Burrow threw four touchdowns in snowy Buffalo, but his pick-six in the fourth quarter to Bills cornerback Christian Benford pretty much decided the game.
"I knew it was going to be an uphill battle for us when I was coming back," Burrow said. "That wasn't really in my thought process too much. I just wanted to come back and put on a show and play well in front of everybody."
