Seahawks' DK Metcalf being 'doubtful' dramatically changes what the Bills should be preparing for
The Buffalo Bills are traveling out west to play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon, and they're doing so without two key players on defense. Linebacker Terrel Bernard has been ruled out with an ankle injury, and rookie defensive tackle DeWayne Carter is out with a wrist injury. Notably, head coach Sean McDermott provided an […]
The Buffalo Bills are traveling out west to play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon, and they're doing so without two key players on defense. Linebacker Terrel Bernard has been ruled out with an ankle injury, and rookie defensive tackle DeWayne Carter is out with a wrist injury. Notably, head coach Sean McDermott provided an update on Carter, saying he'll require surgery. Later, Carter would be placed on IR.
Fortunately for the Bills, they aren't the only team dealing with major injuries heading into this game. Seahawks' star wide receiver DK Metcalf has been labeled as "Doubtful" for the game with a knee injury.
"Doubtful" doesn't mean "Out," but it is incredibly rare for a player with a doubtful designation to play. If he's unable to go, that takes a ton of pressure off the Buffalo secondary, who will then turn their attention to Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett as the two primary wide receivers for Seattle.
If anything, the absence of Metcalf could mean that the Seahawks rely more on their ground game, which should be of concern for the Bills. Without Carter and Bernard, Buffalo's biggest weakness on defense becomes even more of a soft spot to attack. Without Metcalf on the field, though, defensive coordinator Bobby Babich might be more inclined to aggressively stack the box to limit Seattle running backs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet.
Seattle passes the ball at the highest percentage, and for the most yards, of any team in the NFL this season. Without Metcalf on the field, who has gone over 100 yards three times (and finished with 99 last week), Seattle will clearly be without their biggest weapon in the passing attack.
When they do run it, the Seahawks have been successful. They average 4.5 yards per carry (14th in the league) and 1.6 rushing touchdowns per game (6th in the league). With the spine of the Bills defense injured, Seattle could exploit a big weakness for the Bills.
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