The Seattle Seahawks will travel to take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8 this Sunday. While the Seahawks are favored to win, they are still going to need a big game from D.K. Metcalf.
As long as Pete Carroll is the head coach of the Seahawks, their offense is going to be predicated on running the ball as often as humanly possible. On the other hand, when they allow Russell Wilson to throw the ball, it's likely that the ball is going down the field for a big play.
Over the past couple of seasons, Wilson has built a formidable connection with Tyler Lockett. But this season, the Super-Bowl winning quarterback has Metcalf on the other side of the field at wide receiver.
The Seahawks selected Metcalf with the 64th overall pick in this year's draft out of Ole Miss. Throughout the draft process, the rookie wideout became an overnight sensation with his Greek god-like physique and blazing speed.
Usually, when a player is 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, they tend to use their physicality to their advantage. Instead, Metcalf utilizes his uncanny speed to outrun defenders and use his large stature to fend off defenders.
In the first seven games of his rookie campaign, the Ole Miss product has hauled in 20 receptions for 389 yards and two touchdowns. Above all, Metcalf has flashed his deep-threat ability with his 19.5 yards per reception and 15 of his 20 receptions going for first downs.
As a matter of fact, his 19.5 yards per reception is the third-best in the NFL. Nevertheless, the rookie wide receiver will need to continue showing Wilson that he can be a reliable target in the passing attack.
On Sunday, Atlanta will likely shape their defensive game plan on slowing down Chris Carson and containing Lockett. With this intention, Metcalf will have to step up when his name is called in Week 8.
Unfortunately for the Falcons, Desmond Trufant has already been ruled out for the third consecutive week. Seeing that, rookie Kendall Sheffield and Isaiah Oliver will be tasked with slowing down Seattle's aerial game.
Last week against the Baltimore Ravens, the Seahawks struggled to get into a rhythm offensively. Correspondingly, the Seahawks were defeated by the Ravens by the score of 30-16.
Among the players who were disappointing in Week 7, Metcalf had just four receptions for 53 yards on nine targets. Metcalf also had a rookie blunder in the fourth quarter when he fumbled the ball on a reception.
As a result, Marlon Humphrey scooped the ball up and waltzed into the end zone to give Baltimore a game-sealing touchdown. It was an unfortunate ending to the game but Metcalf has a chance to bounce back in Week 8. In order for the Seahawks to move forward as a contender, they will need Metcalf to improve, beginning on Sunday versus the Falcons.
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