DK Metcalf spent the day striking terror into the hearts of the Detroit secondary, and for a brief moment, Seahawks fans felt that fear, too.
Metcalf has carted off the field early in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 48-45 victory, and the reason for his departure was not immediately clear.
Despite the fact that Metcalf had a…situation… that needed handling, it turned out to be nauseating only to Metcalf.
He said with a grin, “I was hurting.” I felt a twinge in my stomach. I knew I had to take care of it.
After a Jason Myers field goal, Metcalf left the field knowing that it would likely be a few minutes before he was needed again. He had planned to walk to the locker room, but head trainer David Stricklin talked him into taking the cart.
Why? Because Detroit’s locker rooms are the furthest from the field of any in the NFL.
While riding the cart, Metcalf reflected, “Yeah, it’s a good thing we have the cart.”
Metcalf joked, “I didn’t bring my wallet,” when asked if he tipped the driver.
If given the choice, Metcalf would rather jog, but “in that situation, I give myself a pass.”
For the rest of the game, Metcalf was primarily used as a receiver, hauling in seven passes for a season-high 149 yards, his third-highest regular-season receiving total.
Some of these were completed against Lions cornerback Jeffrey Okudah, including a 54-yarder that led to a touchdown in the second quarter.
With Okudah’s help, the Lions were successful in limiting Justin Jefferson to just three catches for 14 yards last week, and the third overall pick in the 2020 draught from Ohio State was lauded for his efforts.
Last week, when asked about Okudah, this led to Metcalf’s seemingly disparaging remark that “There’s a safety over the top of him, so he’s really not locking people down.” Nonetheless, he’s a solid corner.
On Sunday, Metcalf clarified that his remark wasn’t meant as an insult but rather as a comment on the NFL of today.
I don’t think we have a lockdown corner in our game today due to how offenses can push the ball downfield and how offenses can go fast and move different receivers to different spots, according to Metcalf. “Lockdown corner in my mind is somebody who travels (meaning, covering a receiver one-on-one) the whole game with no safety help, like Stephon Gilmore, Jalen Ramsay, Darrelle Revis types,” he said.
There are no hard feelings, according to Okudah.
When asked if they exchanged words while on the field, he said, “I don’t necessarily know if there was a back-and-forth.” One of the best receivers in the league, for sure. For someone like me who enjoys competition, it’s only natural to try to come out on top in one-on-one situations.
Woolen Gets a Pick and The Ball
Rookie cornerback Tariq Woolen for the Seahawks intercepted Jared Goff’s pass intended for tight end T.J. Hockenson on the first play of the second half and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown, increasing Seattle’s lead to 31-15.
Goff concluded, “Just a bad decision.” The decision was made too late, too late, and it was a bad one.
The 6-foot-4 Woolen, who ran a 4.26 40 at the NFL combine, may not have been an expected fast starter for him.
I finished my homework,” Woolen explained. Have faith in my quickness. I get a kick out of traversing new territory. I took the chance to undercut them because I know they hate it when you do that, so I did it and there it is.
Woolen stated, “I just feel like not too many guys can beat me in a race, and a crossing route, that’s basically what a crossing route is, is they want to race you across the field and if they beat you they are going to throw it. So, in my opinion, it’s a fairly easy path to navigate.
Woolen dropped the ball in the end zone as he and his teammates celebrated the touchdown. Poona Ford carefully picked up the loose ball and passed it to Woolen, who took it with her to the bench.
