Seattle Seahawks: Studs and duds vs. Eagles in Wild Card Round

Stud: D.K. Metcalf, WR

When pictures of Metcalf posing shirtless and sporting an abnormal amount of abs circulated the internet before the 2019 NFL Draft, it seemed like a given a team would draft him in the first round. When Metcalf blew away the major combine measurement drills with elite speed and strength, he locked down a first-round selection. At least, that’s what most people assumed.

Just days before the most significant moment of the Ole Miss product’s life, concerns and rumors began to leak around the internet, as they often do. Questions regarding health and route running became publicly known. So, when Metcalf slipped to the final spot in the second round, fans were surprised but not shocked.

The Seahawks took advantage of Metcalf’s draft-day plummet and scooped him up with the 64th overall pick, a selection the New England Patriots traded them. He turned into Seattle’s best pick from 2019. During the regular season, Metcalf finished in the top three in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns among rookies.

The young receiver came through for Seattle when it mattered. With a four-point lead in the third quarter, Wilson connected with Metcalf on a 53-yard strike for a touchdown. The play gave Seattle a comfortable lead.

Then, with under two minutes remaining in the game and up by eight points, the Seahawks sent Metcalf on a deep route. The rookie hauled in a 36-yard pass over two Eagles defensive backs, and Seattle ran the clock out. Metcalf finished the game with seven receptions on nine targets for 160 yards and a touchdown.

Dud: Special Teams

Every field goal matters, just ask Wil Lutz and the New Orleans Saints. Jason Myers and the Seahawks committed some severe errors when the Eagles blocked his first kick of the game. In the postseason, a missed protection and kick is inexcusable.

Myers cannot take all of the blame for the kick. The protection failed to stop Philadelphia’s players from penetrating and having a shot at Myers’ kick. There’s work for special teams coordinator Brian Schneider to do before Seattle faces Green Bay.