Seahawks expected to topple feeble Giants
It's not a must-win, but losing would be unacceptable
There are NFL games that are must-win because of the stakes involved — like playoff games or those with post-season berths on the line.
And then there are those that are must-win because they simply shouldn't be lost. One team is obviously far superior, and a defeat simply is something that shouldn't occur.
Though the NFL is the ultimate “anything can happen” endeavour, the Seattle Seahawks' next two games fall into the latter category — a loss would feel unacceptable.
First up Sunday afternoon are the 4-7 New York Giants, listed as 10-point underdogs as the week wore on.
It's the first time the Seahawks have been double-digit favourites since being installed as 14-point favourites against Arizona at home late in the 2018 season (maybe ominously, Seattle needed a last-second field goal to win, 27-24).
After the Giants come the New York Jets (currently 0-11), with Seattle already listed as 14-point favourites in early betting lines.
Yep, this is the favourable part of Seattle's schedule, a chance to turn 8-3 into 10-3 while barely breaking a sweat. That's the perception, anyway.
Reality may be trickier. Regardless, these are two games Seattle must win.
On to some keys to Sunday's game:
MATCHUP TO WATCH Seattle defensive front vs. Giants running back Wayne Gallman
After the injury loss of Saquon Barkley in the second game of the season, the Giants have turned over their running duties to Gallman.
The fourth-round draft pick out of Clemson in 2017, who has started the past five games, is coming off a career-high 94 yards on 24 carries in a 19-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday.
Gallman isn't flashy, averaging just four yards per carry, but he has scored a touchdown in each of the past five games.
With the Giants likely starting backup quarterback Colt Mccoy, New York figures to ride Gallman and the running game as much as it can.
That, though, could play into the Seahawks' hands — they rank third in the NFL allowing just 3.7 yards per carry this season and have held four of the past five opponents to 70 rushing yards or fewer.
PLAYER TO WATCH WR DK Metcalf
Metcalf is becoming a mustwatch player in the NFL, leading the league in receiving yards (1,039) with flair, and seemingly clashing weekly with an opposing defensive back.
Metcalf has another interesting potential matchup this week against the Giants' James Bradberry, who is rated as the 16thbest cornerback in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. According to PFF, Bradberry has the best grade of any cornerback in single coverage, is allowing a passer rating of just 68.7 overall and has not allowed a completion of longer than 28 yards.
Metcalf, though, has 768 yards against single coverage, 200 more than any other receiver according to PFF. It should be another fun matchup. Just don't expect any Giants assistant coaches to talk to Metcalf before the game.
COACHING DECISION TO WATCH
Which running back to feature?
Chris Carson returned Monday from a sprained foot after missing more than a month. But it was Carlos Hyde who got the bulk of the work — 15 carries to Carson's eight.
Carson was far more effective, though, gaining 41 yards to Hyde's 22, including a 16-yard touchdown. Both were limited in practice early in the week, Carson by some soreness in his foot after playing again and Hyde by a toe issue.
Assuming both are healthy, the Seahawks may give more work to Carson, whose average of 4.9 yards per carry is the best of any back on the team
THE X- FACTOR The kicking game
The Seahawks hope the game won't come down to a field goal or two. But if it does, each team has one of the league's hottest kickers. Seattle's Jason Myers is 15for-15 this season and has made 26 in a row dating to last season — he needs four more field goals without a miss to tie Olindo Mare for first place on Seattle's career consecutive field goals list with 30.
New York's Graham Gano, meanwhile, has made 25 of 26, his only miss coming from 57 yards in the second game of the year against the Bears — he has made 24 in a row since then.
PLAYER WHO COULD SURPRISE Linebacker Jordyn Brooks
The Giants have legitimate receiving threats, including former Seahawk Golden Tate, but the player who may put as much fear as any into Seattle's defence is tight end Evan Engram.
Engram leads the Giants with 44 receptions and is second in receiving yards with 476 yards. He is coming off his best game of the year — six for 129 against the Bengals.
THE FINAL WORD Seahawks 27, Giants 10
If Giants pivot Daniel Jones were healthy, a case could be made that this might be a little scary for Seattle, if for no other reason than his ability to run. The Giants' defence is good enough to make life somewhat difficult for the Seahawks. But with Mccoy likely at QB for the Giants, the rapidly improving Seattle defence should be able to contain Gallman and the run and force New York to throw.