After a dominant season opening win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Seattle Seahawks faced a tougher test in Week 2 against Cam Newton and the New England Patriots, but still emerged with a thrilling 35-30 victory to remain unscathed in the season. Russell Wilson has been impressive and has emerged as the new favorite to win league MVP, and their offense has been firing on all cylinders.
Their next assignment, the Dallas Cowboys, will also provide a challenge, as they are coming off a 40-39 comeback win over the Falcons. Against Atlanta, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and the rest of the Cowboys showed that they have the firepower to match up against Seattle’s offense, as they erased a 20-point lead in two quarters. Here are four things that could happen when the Seahawks face the Cowboys in what should be a thrilling game:
1. Russell Wilson passes for at least four touchdowns
The 31-year old quarterback has passed for a combined nine touchdowns and 610 yards, making 52 of 63 passes with just one interception in their first two games. That’s likely to continue against the Cowboys, especially since coach Mike McCarthy said that Dallas does not plan to run the clock on offense to keep Wilson off the field for as long as possible, but will instead try to score as fast as and as many points as they can. Engaging Wilson in a shootout could see Seattle light up the scoreboard like they did against the Falcons and Patriots, where they scored a combined 73 points.
The Cowboys, despite completing the comeback against Atlanta, still allowed Matt Ryan to pass for 273 yards and four touchdowns and complete 24 of 36 passes. If the Dallas pass rush cannot get to Wilson, he will likely burn the Cowboys defense for much more. He is simply playing too well right now to not take advantage of Dallas’ strategy of not using the clock and trying to match the Seattle Seahawks on offense.
2. DK Metcalf leads the team in receiving yards
With the Cowboys letting Wilson cook, expect some of his usual targets to have big games. Metcalf has had a strong second year, leading the Seahawks in receiving yards in their first two games. Against the Falcons, the 22-year old had four receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown. Against the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in Stephon Gillmore and the Patriots, he was just as effective, with four receptions for 92 yards and another touchdown. If he was able to hold his own against the league’s best cornerback, then he should have a field day against the Dallas secondary.
In the game against Atlanta, cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and Chidobe Azuwie struggled to contain the Falcons’ receivers, with Calvin Ridley burning Azuwie for seven receptions, 109 yards, and two touchdowns. In their season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, it was Robert Woods who had his way with the team’s secondary, finishing with six receptions and 105 yards. Metcalf has picked up where he left off in his rookie season, but despite coming close, he has not yet hit 100 receiving yards in a game this season. That’s likely to change against the Cowboys.
3. Dak Prescott gets sacked at least twice
The addition of Jamal Adams has worked out well so far for the Seattle Seahawks, with Adams tallying eight tackles, four assists, and one sack against the Falcons, and six tackles, three assists, and one sack against the Patriots. The rest of the pass rush, however, has tallied just one other sack courtesy of Benson Mayowa. This week, they will be facing a Cowboys offensive line that allowed Prescott to be sacked three times against the Rams and once against the Falcons.
Right tackle La’el Collins is still on IR due to a hip injury, while left tackle Tyron Smith could miss the game with a neck injury. With Dallas relying on their reserve linemen, that should give Adams and company a chance to take down Prescott and disrupt the Cowboys offense. Adams, a Pro Bowler in the last two seasons, should pick up another sack and continue to prove why he was worth the draft picks that Seattle gave up to acquire him. All the attention on Adams should give other members of their defensive front an opportunity to get to Prescott.
4. The Seattle Seahawks will move up to 3-0
Just like the Patriots, the Cowboys can turn their match against the Seahawks into a nail-biter. But Wilson is playing too well, and it would take an outstanding effort from the Cowboys defense to try to slow down the MVP candidate and prevent him from finding his targets. It’s more likely that the Seahawks move up to 3-0 and continue to establish themselves as one of the best teams in the league.
Follow Us
Subscribe