A showdown marketed as a heavyweight bout between two of the finest of their positions is popping right into a calculated sport of chess.
The Rams’ playoff sport Saturday in the wild-card spherical of the NFL playoffs in Seattle options this season’s third spherical between cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Seahawks vast receiver DK Metcalf.
Earlier conferences introduced completely different outcomes.
In Recreation 1, a 23-16 Rams win in November, Ramsey adopted Metcalf on 69% of his routes and allowed only one catch for 11 yards on 4 targets, in response to Subsequent Gen Stats. However two weeks in the past in the Rams’ 20-9 loss, Metcalf completed with 59 yards on six receptions. That’s largely primarily based on how Seattle altered its offensive plan.
The Seahawks waved at Metcalf earlier than taking 9 of his 61 pictures, most of them on the reverse aspect of Ramsey. Quarterback Russell Wilson accomplished three passes for 33 yards to Metcalf in these snapshots, in response to a Occasions film assessment.
On one play, as Metcalf trotted to the different aspect of the formation, Ramsey appeared to shake his head in frustration. It’s a plan that he and different advocates clearly famous.
« I personally really feel prefer it ought to be large large, » Ramsey stated. “When you suppose you have got a superior boy, they take a look at me as a superior boy, we ought to be going through one another most of the time. That’s what I wish to see, selfishly. That’s what large video games ought to be. That’s what the followers wish to see. «
The Seahawks not often singled out Metcalf of their first assembly in opposition to the Rams. In males’s protection, Ramsey adopted Metcalf on 30 of 42 routes and failed to permit a catch on two targets, in response to Subsequent Gen Stats. He severely restricted the Seahawks’ offense. In the second matchup, Ramsey adopted Metcalf on 23 of his 35 routes, in response to Subsequent Gen Stats.
Metcalf completed seventh in the league with 1,303 receiving yards and broke a franchise report for many receiving yards in a single season. He and Ramsey had been each named to the Professional Bowl and voted for the Related Press All-Professional workforce.
Ramsey, who signed a report contract extension this offseason, helped lead a Rams protection that ranked first in yards allowed, factors scored and passing yards allowed. He additionally had stable performances in opposition to Tampa Bay Buccaneers vast receiver Mike Evans and Arizona Cardinals vast receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
The Seahawks’ technique someway mimics that utilized by one other NFC West rival. San Francisco 49ers vast receiver Deebo Samuel, in two video games in opposition to the Rams, had 193 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. In addition they beckoned Samuel and went on quick routes permitting yards after the reception.
Concerning Metcalf, defensive coordinator Brandon Staley stated his transfer reveals his versatility.
« I believe that reveals you the depth of his sport and the way a lot he’s improved as a participant, as a result of you may’t transfer by way of the formation when you haven’t improved mentally and bodily, » Staley stated. “I believe that’s one of the strengths of his offense and that’s what it’s a must to do with premium guys like that. It’s important to transfer them or else everybody will give attention to them.
Ramsey stated he would really like extra one-on-one matchups with Metcalf, and stated he would bear in mind the first sport and the two video games in opposition to Hopkins. However he understands the Seahawks’ method.
« I don’t know if I might say the right terminology is ‘cover it,’ » Ramsey stated. “I don’t suppose DK Metcalf has to cover from anybody. However they felt that it was in the finest curiosity for his offense and his workforce to maneuver him into completely different areas in order that he may take benefit of the alternatives probably he had that would assist his offense and assist his workforce to a victory, what could possibly be stated. they had been efficient in doing. So now we’ve to discover a method to fight that.
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