DK Metcalf proves his value to the Seahawks in Week 8 by not playing

The Seattle Seahawks made it easy for the Buffalo Bills. Not in just one phase of the game, but in every phase. Only punter Michael Dickson was likely innocent of any wrongdoing. He was great. The rest of the team? Not so much.

What might have made issues worse is that Seattle didn't try to do much else than probably what the Bills expected from Seattle offensively. There was no DK Metcalf, so why would Seattle try to force the ball deep? Buffalo needed to play the run well and guard against intermediate routes unless Seattle got creative. The Seahawks did not get creative.

The team only has DK Metcalf to take the top off a defense. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett are good receivers, but they aren't deep-ball threats. Not consistently, at least, or enough that opposing defenses have to scheme to stop the explosive play from happening.

Without DK Metcalf, the Seahawks offense is seemingly a lost cause

Without Metcalf, Seattle tried to run a little and tried to throw short a bit, but there was no hint, even when quarterback Geno Smith had time, to try to push the ball deep. There was no Metcalf. Seattle was incapable of creating such plays.

There are many who do not care for DK Metcalf the player. He can be bombastic on the field, getting into spats with defenders, and sometimes a bit whiny on the sidelines if things are not going his way. The truth is, though, that nearly every great receiver gets a bit whiny in those situations. That appears to come with the position and there is nothing really wrong with wanting the ball more.

Metcalf is Seattle's best receiver. He might not have as many catches as JSN or Lockett, but he will have more yards, more yards per catch, and more touchdowns. Metcalf makes the other receivers better because teams have to scheme more for him than they do the smaller and quicker JSN and Lockett.

This is unlikely to change in the next few years, too. Metcalf is only 26 years old and should be an elite receiver for several more seasons. Lockett might be gone - retired or released - in a year or two. JSN is Lockett's natural heir, but he is not the kind of receiver Metcalf is. Few are.

If Metcalf played against the Bills, Buffalo would probably still win. They are a better team than Seattle. Still, the Seahawks would have been much more dangerous offensively so maybe the game would be closer. Without Metcalf, the offense is just a rudderless boat.