DK Metcalf shines in Seahawks’ 17-9 win over Philadelphia in wild card win

Seattle's rookie wide receiver has 7 catches for 160 yards and a TD as the Seahawks advance in the playoffs

January 5, 2020 4:42 PM

Alyssa Charlston,

Posted: January 5, 2020 4:42 PM

Updated: January 5, 2020 9:06 PM

by Alyssa Charlston

Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf catches a touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles — DK Metcalf's 53-yard touchdown catch against Philadelphia that gave Seattle a 17-6 lead.

PHILADELPHIA — Both teams had injuries, but both teams had unfinished business. The Philadelphia Eagles came into Sunday’s NFC Wild card showdown against the Seahawks with more injuries than any other team this season. Seattle was not proud to take No. 2 in the injury race, but it’s better than what Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz dealt with this season.

Wentz was missing his top three receivers, his top runningback, two of his starters on the offensive line and a few key defensive players in the secondary. In the first quarter against the Seahawks in Philadelphia, he joined all those players in the injury tent, and eventually the locker room. He took a hard hit to the back of the head by Jadeveon Clowney, and did not return to the game with a head injury.

Seattle had unfinished business via runningback Marshawn Lynch. We all remember the ball not ending up in his hands in the final drive against the New England Patriots in Superbowl XLIX. He rejoined the Seahawks two weeks ago, and already had two short-yardage touchdowns by the end of the second quarter against the Eagles, with a 5-yard push into the endzone. Seattle took a 10-3 lead into halftime in Lincoln Memorial Stadium. DK Metcalf set up that touchdown with two catches on the drive, the second and most important, a 26-yard catch on 3rd and 4.

Wentz finished his first and only playoff start 1/4 for three yards. Josh McCown took his place under center for the rest of the game.

The Seahawks also wanted to continue past the wild card round, where their season was stopped in Dallas by the Cowboys last season.

By the end of the half, Wilson was 12/21 for 181 yards and no touchdowns.

Out of halftime, McCown, who was making his postseason debut as the oldest player in NFL history to do it, fumbled on the Eagles drive, but they recovered the football. Mostly by the legs of runningback Miles Sanders, Philadelphia drew within 10-6 thanks to another Jake Elliott field goal.

But DK Metcalf had a big night for the Seahawks, and Russell Wilson went to him on the next drive, ending in a 53-yard touchdown. Seattle held on to a 17-9 lead by the end of the third after Elliott’s third FG of the night, this one from 38 yards.

From there, the Seahawk’s defensive line got after backup QB McCown, registering a season-high seven sacks after tallying 28 total in the regular season.

DK Metcalf helped close the game out, with another stretched out catch on 3rd and 10 for 36 yards. That gave Seattle a fresh set of downs to run the clock out. The final score was 17-9, and Metcalf finished the game with seven catches for 160 yards and a touchdown.