The NFC West showdown between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks might be the game of the week in NFL Week 12. Both Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf and Cardinals tight end Trey McBride lead their teams in receptions, but which player will have the bigger game this weekend?
Metcalf’s size poses a severe mismatch for the available defensive backs on the Cardinals’ depth chart so defensive coordinator Nick Rallis will need to conjure up an answer. Metcalf enters Week 12 after recording seven receptions for 70 yards in the 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers last week. Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has 2,781 total passing yards so far this season ranking No. 4 in the NFL in such category and leading the league with 278.1 yards per game, and the Cardinals are allowing around 218 pass yards per game.
With Smith’s scramble ability, it’d be unwise for Rallis to sit in zone coverage. Instead, Rallis may need to play more man and blitz packages to rush Smith on throws. This may however lead to 1-on-1 opportunities for Metcalf in the intermediate and short passing game.
GO HURDLE SOMETHING IN HONOR OF TREY’S BIRTHDAY 🎉@mcbtrey pic.twitter.com/K3t7ZPGIdG
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 22, 2024
McBride’s success will be more contingent upon whether or not the Cardinals can stay away from down and distance. Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald knows exactly how to stir up a pass rush so the Cardinals need to offset this by establishing the run with running back James Conner. If and when the Cardinals can sequence in a few quality running plays, then they will create opportunities for McBride to be a force in the play-action pass game.
Ultimately, both teams are likely to produce quality passing yards if they stick to their balanced attacks. Whichever team can avoid turnovers and sustain offensive drives has the best chance of winning this game.
The calm before the storm. pic.twitter.com/mr2XYs5naD
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 24, 2024
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
