Panthers film room: 3 ways Jaycee Horn can limit D.K Metcalf in Week 14
By Dean Jones
How can Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn limit wide receiver D.K. Metcalf at the Seattle Seahawks?
If the Carolina Panthers are to pull off an upset in Week 14 at the Seattle Seahawks, then Jaycee Horn needs to be firing on all cylinders. The cornerback has been in sensational form in 2022 after a frustrating rookie campaign, which ended after three weeks thanks to a broken foot that also needed careful handling throughout the team’s training camp in Spartanburg.
Since then, it’s been relatively smooth sailing for Horn, who’s turned out in 10 of Carolina’s 12 games this season. Not only this, but the former first-round pick looks every bit like the shutdown presence the Panthers hoped for good measure.
Horn gets a supreme test of his credentials this weekend against D.K. Metcalf, one of the most physically-imposing wideouts anywhere in the NFL. This is a challenge that the South Carolina product will relish and another lockdown effort could cement his status among the elite players at the position despite his lack of experience.
With this in mind, we put on the tape and picked out three ways Horn can restrict Metcalf at Lumen Field on Sunday.
Way No. 1
Pressure at the catch point
It would be a surprise if Geno Smith didn’t look towards D.K. Metcalf early and often. The wideout’s been targeted 100 times already this season and this is something Jaycee Horn must be ready for if defensive coordinator Al Holcomb gives him the freedom to shadow Seattle’s most dynamic weapon.
Metcalf is a unique blend of size, speed, and physicality. But with wet weather anticipated for the contest, applying pressure at the catch point might be the best way for Horn to encourage a mistake or two.
The former Ole Miss standout has six drops on the season, which is just two off his career high. If Horn stays close and makes every catch challenging, that’s the best possible outcome.
Even if it doesn’t guarantee Metcalf won’t make plays.