DK Metcalf Poses Dangerous Matchup for Texans Defense

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans openly lamented earlier this week about some recent slip-ups when defending against the long ball in the passing game. Issues which reared their ugly head against the Indianapolis Colts must be tightened up urgently, but getting most everyone back healthy figures to help quite a bit.

After all, the Texans' number-one ranked defense is about to run into the freaky size and speed combination that Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf brings to the party for his future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Ryans will try to solve the riddle of defending against Metcalf for the very first time as a head coach, but he knows him well from his time spent as the defensive coordinator on the San Francisco 49ers, and Metcalf was a Seattle Seahawk.

Therefore, Ryans is acutely aware of the many different things the Steelers star can do within his offensive scheme, and to a very high level.

"Metcalf gives them their full offense," Ryans said this week. "He lines up as an outside receiver. He does an outstanding job of playing physical. That's the one thing that sticks out to me with him, is that he's a physical receiver whether he's running the go ball, slants, whatever."

DeMeco Ryans Ready for the Challenge DK Metcalf Presents

Simply trying to contain Metcalf in the playoffs has backfired before for other teams when the explosive receiver was making a big name for himself in the PNW.

By averaging a record-breaking 112.8 yards over the four playoff contests he featured in with Seattle, Metcalf served notice that he can up his game when it gets to the knockout stages. That puts Ryans on high alert against Metcalf; a uniquely talented pass catcher he knows that you must body up to and fight fire with fire against to achieve the desired results.

"He plays physical. So, we have to challenge him. We have to step up to the challenge there, we have to play physical versus him as well," Ryans explained.

"It's going to be a tough challenge. He's done a great job his entire career of making big plays down the field. I know they're excited to get him back because he's such a huge part of their offense. Aaron [Rodgers] will definitely look to go to him a ton. We have our hands full when it comes to challenging him and trying to make a play when the ball is up."