The Philadelphia Eagles have had a rough few weeks, but they are hoping to turn things around when they visit the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. The key to a potential turnaround will be trying to contain Seattle’s star wide receiver, D.K. Metcalf.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, they will be without their top cover corner, Darius Slay, who is recovering from knee surgery. In their last meeting, Metcalf torched the Eagles’ defense for 10 catches and 177 yards. The season before, he also had a big game against the Eagles in their playoff matchup.
The Eagles have struggled all season against the pass, ranking near the bottom of the league in yards allowed and third-down conversions. This makes the task of stopping Metcalf even more challenging.
Metcalf has been a nightmare for opposing defenses this season, with 51 catches for 864 yards and seven touchdowns. His combination of size and speed makes him a formidable opponent for any defense.
At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Metcalf possesses the physicality of a tight end combined with the speed of a wide receiver.
The Seahawks are also in a desperate situation, riding a four-game losing streak and fighting for their postseason hopes. In the team’s recent slump, Metcalf’s production has declined, but he remains a dangerous threat.
The Eagles will face an additional challenge if Geno Smith starts at quarterback for the Seahawks. Smith’s presence could impact the defensive strategy devised to contain Metcalf.
The responsibility of covering Metcalf will likely fall on James Bradberry, along with other defensive backs such as Eli Ricks, Josh Jobe, and rookie Kelee Ringo. However, the Eagles have shown some hesitancy in their confidence with certain players, which could pose a problem against a talent like Metcalf.
Former Eagles defensive coordinator, Sean Desai, acknowledged the challenge presented by Metcalf and described him as a dynamic receiver. He also highlighted the threat posed by Metcalf’s teammate, Tyler Lockett, who has also had a successful season.
Desai expressed confidence in his defensive backs and their ability to handle the challenge posed by Metcalf and Lockett. However, it is clear that the Eagles will face a significant test against the Seahawks’ receiving duo.
