'Mad Respect!' Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers Means DK Metcalf 'Humblebrag'

The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers are getting set to play each other for the second time in three games. One of the biggest matchups in this battle will be between Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf and 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward.

The greatest compliment, it seems, that Seattle Seahawks standout receiver DK Metcalf can offer has just been gifted to a cornerback who is a relative lesser name on the star-studded San Francisco 49ers roster.

“Any corner who can travel with me for a whole duration of a game,'' said Metcalf of 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward, "I have mad respect for.”

That is a classic "humblebrag,'' Metcalf's clever way of both praising Ward - who has certainly experienced some successes against the NFL's best, DK included - and of praising himself.

When the 49ers outclassed the Seahawks (now 6-6) on Thanksgiving night in what might've been a tide-turning outcome in the NFC West, Ward clearly won the matchup with Metcalf.

Metcalf was targeted six different times, fewer than some would like.

Metcalf managed just one reception for 14 yards against Ward, fewer than anybody would like ... except for Ward, of course.

The 49ers are not perfect and neither is Ward. Last week, San Francisco - which at one point this year lost three straight to inferior foes - moved to 9-3 with a blowout win at powerful Philadelphia. 

In that game, Eagles' star receiver A.J. Brown had eight receptions for 114 yards.

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Meanwhile, Metcalf is coming off his best game of the season, as in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys he had six receptions for 134 yards and three touchdowns ... and he did much of that damage against the NFL's best play-making corner in DaRon Bland.

Ward is a play-maker, too, as he leads the NFL this year with 19 pass break-ups. ... all of which sets up a duel that can only leave one guy - Metcalf or Ward - free to brag, "humble'' or otherwise.