Seattle Seahawks: 5 Bold predictions for Week 7 vs. Cardinals
By Samuel Teets
The 5-0 Seattle Seahawks come off their bye week with a matchup against the Cardinals.
The Seattle Seahawks are riding high at 5-0 with Russell Wilson leading every MVP discussion. However, Pete Carroll’s team can’t suffer a letdown game after their bye week. Seattle had more than enough time to plan for the Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray, but the Seahawks have stumbled in similar situations over the past several years.
Despite possessing the better team, the Seahawks are only 4-2 against the Cardinals over the past three seasons. With DeAndre Hopkins taking over for Larry Fitzgerald as Arizona’s top receiving threat, the Cardinals are more dangerous than ever before. Wilson’s team has enough firepower to outgun Arizona, but this game could be closer than most people expect.
With that in mind, let’s make bold predictions for the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 on the road against rival Arizona.
5. Metcalf tops 120 yards
As a rookie, D.K. Metcalf showed immense potential. The Ole Miss product finished his first pro season with 58 receptions, 900 yards, and seven touchdowns. With 4.33 speed and a massive 6-4, 229-lb. frame, Metcalf became one of the NFL’s premier deep threats at only 22 years old. Despite his early success, Metcalf raised the bar even higher during his first five games in 2020.
While Tyler Lockett is still performing at a high level, the veteran is no longer Wilson’s primary target. Metcalf has 39 targets this year, one more than Lockett. The former Pro Bowl return man is still averaging a career-high 68.4 receiving yards per game, but Metcalf is playing at an All-Pro level. No team has an answer for the Ole Miss product.
Metcalf has 22 receptions, 496 yards, and five touchdowns this year. His 22.5 yards per reception lead the NFL among qualified receivers. Metcalf’s speed and size make him a mismatch against any defender, which leads to plenty of big plays. The only major criticism for Metcalf this season is his inconsistent hands. The young receiver still drops open passes too often.
If Metcalf continues on his current pace, he’ll finish 2020 with 1,587 yards and 16 touchdowns. For reference, only one receiver passed the 1,400-yard mark in 2019, and Kenny Golladay led the NFL with 11 receiving touchdowns. Metcalf is on pace for the first Pro Bowl, if not All-Pro, season of his career.