D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks.
This week’s matchup with the Titans may offer some answers to questions that still linger even after the Seattle Seahawks performance in Indianapolis. Participating this week are Ed Stein, Chris Phillips, Chip Clark, and yours truly.
Ed: Every team should be worried about playing against Jones and Brown. They might be the best receiving duo in football (yes, I know Seattle has Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf). There is no way Tre’ Flowers and D.J. Reed can stick with them man-on-man for an entire game, meaning the Seahawks will be in zone coverage most of the day.
This is where having the best set of safeties in the NFL comes in. Diggs can help in deep coverage while Jamal Adams covers the slots. Also, expect to hear Marquise Blair and Sydney Jones have their names called quite a bit.
Chris: Seattle’s CB concerns are whatever you thought they are prior to Week 1. There was nothing to learn from them from last week’s game. The front 7 handled their business and made life really easy on the secondary. Covering a receiver for 1.5 seconds isn’t difficult. As long as you don’t fall down.
Chip: They are two of the NFL’s best. Flowers scares the H-E-double-hockey sticks out of me in man coverage against average receivers let alone a pair of Pro Bowlers.
Andrew: I’m more concerned about Brown since Jones hasn’t been healthy and dominant in two years. His physicality made him special, but at 32 with 10 seasons of wear and tear, he’s not what he was. That said Seattle’s corners terrify every week regardless of the competition.
Ed: The best way to take Jones and Brown out of the mix is to get to Ryan Tannehill. A few Seahawks’ D-linemen had good games against the Colts last week. There is no doubt, Seattle is coming for the Titans’ QB, building on some of the successes they had against Indy.
Chris: On paper yes. They just went up against a much better line in Week 1. At least on paper. Now, Green may not do as well as he’ll be facing a very PO’d and focused Taylor Lewan.
Chip: The Seahawks have to get pressure on Ryan Tannehill. If Carlos Dunlap, L.J. Collier, and Darrell Taylor can’t get in his face, it might be a long day. Also, Seattle still has to defend against running back Derrick Henry. It’s up to Poona Ford, Rasheem Green, and Bryan Mone to get a good push from their defensive tackle positions. I’d love to see Seattle stuff Henry the way they did against Jonathan Taylor last week.
Andrew: The Seattle Seahawks should be able to generate some pressure on Tannehill and keep Henry in check for the most part. Unfortunately, they have no one on Chandler Jones or J.J. Watt‘s level as a pass rusher so I wouldn’t hold my breath expecting 6 or more sacks.
Ed: That was just Pete being Pete with a lead. To be fair, except for a fumble, Chris Carson looked sharp against the Colts. If he’s productive again on Sunday, Carroll should absolutely take advantage of it.
Chris: Umm, maybe some of ball control and inconsistency. I don’t know as it’s too early to tell. I think the bigger reason is the halftime adjustments made by Indy’s defensive coordinator. Matt Eberflus is a highly thought of defensive mind in the league for a reason. I’m putting my money on him making the necessary adjustments and not anything due to ball control or offensive inconsistency.
Chip: Both teams got bogged down in the third quarter last week. I don’t make much of it. The flow of the game changed, that’s just football.
Andrew: I think two things happened that slowed the game down. First, the halftime break took the offense out of their rhythm. Also, Russell Wilson is more streaky than people realize, and they started trying to force the ball to Metcalf instead of spraying it around and taking what was given.
Ed: Metcalf was the forgotten man in the first half. D.K. does some of his best work when he gets involved early. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Seahawks’ first play this week is a wide receiver screen to Metcalf.
Chris: Again, on paper yes! The Titans D isn’t thought to be as good as Indy’s. With Lockett going off in Week 1 I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see Tennessee roll or focus coverage on Lockett, thus freeing up Metcalf. Additionally, Arizona’s receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, and rookie Rondale Moore all had good games.
Chip: Even if he isn’t very involved, I’m not worried. I hope he has a big game. Just the threat of a big game from D.K. should put some fear into the Titans. The more attention Tennessee’s defense pays to Metcalf, the more opportunities there are for Lockett, Gerald Everett, and Will Dissly.
Andrew: I’m starting to wonder if the league has adjusted to Metcalf. In Seattle’s last 5 games he averaged an uninspiring 53 yards with only one touchdown. Was that a result of the team’s offensive drop-off or was his production one of the main causes for the stagnation? If we see another 60-yard game I’m going to be concerned.
Ed: No, the Seattle Seahawks don’t need to dominate, just win. You are what your record says you are. Starting 2-0 is good enough. The Seahawks will have six opportunities to show what they can do against NFC Division division opponents later in the season.
Chris: What is dominating? It’s in the eye of the beholder. Yes, Arizona dominated the Titans last week. However, you can make an argument that Seattle dominated Indy. Minus Indy’s last score against a mostly prevent-style defense, the game wasn’t a one-score contest.
Seattle was in control and really went after Indy’s core foundation as a team. Which is “Run the Damn Ball”. Now, fans in Indy are questioning GM Ballard and HC Frank Reich if they’re the right guys to lead the team. I’d say that’s a good case for dominating an opponent.
Chip: I’m good with 2-0 whether the Seahawks win 30-0 or 7-6. Arizona has enough to worry about against the Vikings.
Andrew: Pete Carroll’s offensive philosophy and the team’s style of play don’t really lend themselves to blowouts. If they walk away with a 10 point win that’s the Seattle equivalent of a 3 score point differential.
Ed: Seattle plays keep-away using a steady dose of running plays and screens, with the occasional deep pass to keep Tennessee’s defense honest. The 12’s won’t like it but they want a win even more than seeing a cooking demo. Defensively, the Seahawks hold the big chunk plays to a minimum and makes Tennessee grind it out. Seahawks 23 – Titans 17.
Chris: Seattle faces another powerful run-first offense around mega freak athlete Derrick Henry. The only difference between him and me is 1-inch and 20-pounds. As previously mentioned, about being PO’d and focused, that will be Ten this week. Expect a large dose of Henry and better play-action passing. Seattle focusing on stopping the run, as they did against Indy will be key. I’d expect another close game with Seattle coming out on top 28-21 because they have the ball last.
Chip: Surprise! Mr. Cranky, Gloom, and Doom feels good about the Seattle Seahawks this week. They win 20-13.
Andrew: The Hawks are a 5.5 point favorite. This game is at home, and our panel unanimously thinks the Seattle Seahawks are taking home the W. All the ingredients for a patented Seattle groin kick loss are in place but maybe this year’s team will avoid that type of agony.
I think Gerald Everett plays a huge role on offense and the D manages to limit the Tennessee offense to one big A.J. Brown play. Travis Henry gets his yards but the Hawks get the win 21-17. Just in case I will be wearing my athletic supporter and cup.
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