3 observations about DK Metcalf from the Seahawks Week 15 loss

Observation 3: Metcalf needs to be The Man for Seahawks the rest of the way

The Seahawks are 7-7 and that’s not bad, especially what the expectations were for the Seahawks prior to the season starting. But we were fooled a bit by Seattle’s 6-3 start. The Seahawks now trail the Washington Commanders and New York Giants by a game and a half for the last seed in the NFC. The Giants and Commanders play each other this week so one of those teams is going to lose.

But Seattle almost certainly has to win its final three games and the schedule is not easy. Next week, Seattle plays the 10-3 Chiefs, followed by the much-improved Jets, and then finishes with the Rams. And Seattle will have to try to win these games without an injured Tyler Lockett. Lockett broke his index finger against the 49ers.

This is why an already important DK Metcalf becomes the only truly explosive receiver the Seahawks have now. If teams basically just other receivers for Seattle in one-on-one coverage and focus much of their game plan on Metcalf, Seattle is going to have issues scoring unless Metcalf can find ways to get open when covered by multiple defensive backs.

But the important part is that Metcalf can’t just get open for 7-yard gains. He needs to beat DBs deep down the field and he needs to score touchdowns. He has the size and speed to do this. Metcalf needs to learn to post up DBs better. And if the Seahawks do somehow make the playoffs, you can bet it’s because Metcalf has finished the 2022 season by having three of the best games of his career.