Stephon Gilmore getting punked by DK Metcalf was a bad look
By Jerry Trotta
There’s no hiding from the fact that Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore got worked by Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf on Sunday night.
Given their history, it really wasn’t surprising that the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks delivered another classic primetime showdown. When all was said and done, Seattle came up a yard short as Cam Newton was stuffed at the goal line with a chance to win the game after conducting a near-perfect final drive.
It would be easy for fans to overreact following the gutting loss, but the truth is that the Patriots’ offense has an incredibly high ceiling this year. Newton silenced all of his critics who claimed he can no longer sling the pigskin at an elite level as he finished 30-of-44 (68%) for a career-high 397 yards and one touchdown.
In short, the offense is in great hands with the former MVP under center, whether he’s asked to control time of possession on the ground or win games with his rocket of an arm.
What wasn’t entirely encouraging, however, was the performance from New England’s defense, which surrendered a whopping 35 points and allowed Russell Wilson to throw for five touchdowns. To be more specific, it was pretty humbling to watch cornerback Stephon Gilmore get owned by Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf.
DK Metcalf is putting on a SHOW against Stephon Gilmorepic.twitter.com/RDNg7e1xzm
— PFF (@PFF) September 21, 2020
That was a simple (albeit powerful) curl route from Metcalf and he absolutely bamboozled Gilmore on it before lowering his shoulder and carrying him for an extra six yards. We’re used to the All-Pro CB making opposing receivers look like the inferior player, but that just wasn’t the case in this game.
In fairness to Gilmore, it’s not like he was getting torched all game as he conceded just four receptions to the Seahawks star. However, Metcalf managed 92 yards and a TD on those catches and the eye test proved that he got what he wanted when lined up against the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Gilmore was simply no match for the Ole Miss product, who absolutely torched him on a deep route for a 54-yard touchdown in the second quarter that brought the Seahawks back even.
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1307852214132707328
If you play the clip back, you’ll notice that Gilmore got his hand in there to make a play, but that’s only because Wilson left that throw a little short. Had he hit Metcalf in stride, the Patriots stud would have looked A LOT worse.
On top of that, Metcalf completely crushed Gilmore in the run blocking game and it actually resulted in sideline skirmish when the two kept going at it after the play. It was obvious Gilmore was agitated after getting manhandled physically.
Luckily for the leader of the Patriots defense, a get right opportunity will present itself in Week 3 against Las Vegas’ uninspiring receiving corps.
