DK Metcalf just got done going for 177 yards against the Eagles. He's starting in 99 percent of lineups in Week 13, with that 1 percent covering the people trying to lose to influence playoff seeding or who abandoned their team weeks ago when Seattle was on their bye.
But Metcalf and Seattle are facing the Giants, who have played pretty good defense for most of the season. Especially solid has been cornerback James Bradberry, signed to a big deal in free agency. How have opposing No. 1 wideouts fared against the Giants this season?
I ran the week-by-week numbers, and will point out there's some guesswork involved. Bradberry wasn't always lined up against the player being highlighted, and with several teams (Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Philadelphia) it's not even certain who their No. 1 wide receiver is. But regardless, here's how the top wide receivers -- the guys Bradberry appeared to be covering most regularly -- from each team have fared against the Giants this season. Three of 11 caught touchdowns, and four of 11 put up at least 70 receiving yards.
| OPPOSING NO. 1S VERSUS GIANTS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Tgt | No | Yds | TD |
| Johnson, Pitt. | 10 | 6 | 57 | 0 |
| Robinson, Chi. | 9 | 3 | 33 | 0 |
| Aiyuk, S.F. | 8 | 5 | 70 | 0 |
| Woods, LAR | 7 | 6 | 35 | 0 |
| Cooper, Dall. | 4 | 2 | 23 | 0 |
| McLaurin, Wash. | 12 | 7 | 74 | 0 |
| Fulgham, Phil. | 11 | 5 | 73 | 0 |
| Evans, T.B. | 7 | 5 | 55 | 1 |
| McLaurin, Wash. | 8 | 7 | 115 | 1 |
| Fulgham, Phil. | 5 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| Higgins, Cin. | 5 | 5 | 44 | 1 |
The best game by a wideout was by Terry McLaurin, and some will remember the long touchdown he scored in that game, a short throw where two Giants defensive backs collided and he ended up taking it the distance.
In any case, seems like a tougher matchup for Metcalf. We're still working on the rankings, and it's possible he'll wind up as the No. 1 wideout for Week 13 anyway. But I think it's possible the Giants are able to keep him in check some, maybe helping Tyler Lockett; compelling Russell Wilson to send a few more passes his way.
--Andy Richardson