SEATTLE - DK Metcalf made an unforgivable mistake by starting his celebration too early, a classic example of what not to do.
His trainer told him so. Just like his quarterback.
"He played this game by chance today and I told him to never do it again," said Russell Wilson.
Given the chance to redeem himself, Metcalf arrived in the dying minutes and this time there was no doubt about the celebration. Metcalf caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Wilson with 1:47 left, and the Seattle Seahawks held off the Dallas Cowboys 38-31 on Sunday.
"The fact that he came back, of course, he did. He's such a great competitor," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.
Wilson threw five touchdowns, setting a record for most scoring passes in the first three games of a season with 14. Patrick Mahomes threw 13 touchdowns in three games to kick off his MVP season in 2018. Wilson became the first quarterback to have four or more touchdowns in each of the first three games.
Metcalf appeared to have a walk-in touchdown after firing a deep pass from Wilson at the end of the first quarter. But he was reckless with the ball in the final stages before the goal line, and cornerback Trevon Diggs came in from behind and kicked the ball. He came out of the end zone for a touchback.
Instead of a touchdown and a 16-3 lead, it was a 62-yard reception and an unforgettable moment.
“The lesson learned will help everyone and luckily we got over it and didn't destroy the game for us,” Carroll said. "But it's a terrible game. It's really because he has a touchdown, you just have to finish it, and he started celebrating too soon."
Metcalf was rather calm after his mistake as Tyler Lockett became Wilson's favorite target. But when Seattle needed a big late-game, Wilson threw a pass into the end zone for Metcalf.
Wilson finished 27 of 40 for 315 yards. His last bit of magic in the fourth quarter ruined Dak Prescott's attempt for a second straight major comeback.
“They made more key plays than we have,” said Dallas coach Mike McCarthy. "We've had a lot of production, but the main games in the game, I think you guys have to give these guys credit."
Dallas trailed 15-30 after Prescott escaped the first play of the second half and Wilson then threw his fourth TD pass. But Prescott threw TD passes from 42 yards to Cedrick Wilson and 43 yards to Michael Gallup, and Greg Zuerlein's 42-yard basket with 4:03 to go gave Dallas a 31-30 lead.
Prescott had one last chance after receiving a TD from Metcalf. He led the Cowboys to the Seattle 22 but was sacked by rookie Alton Robinson on the second down, and Dallas had used his last time out with 16 seconds left. On the third down, Prescott's desperate shot into the end zone was intercepted by Ryan Neal.
Prescott finished 37 of 57 for 472 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He's set career highs for yards and attempts.
“I want to make these shots and I want to have this opportunity,” Prescott said. "We just have to be better starting with myself to convert them and make more wins from these one-scoring games for us."
As Prescott became the last QB to have a big day against the leaking Seattle high school, the Seahawks held Ezekiel Elliott in check. Elliott finished with 34 rushing yards on 14 carries and scored on a 1 yard rush in the first half.
Lockett set a career-high with three TD receptions and finished with nine catches for 100 yards. Lockett scored once from 43 yards and twice from the 1-yard line. Jacob Hollister also had a 1-yard TD grab and received on Seattle's 2-point conversion after the Metcalf TD.
“It's just staying alive and staying open,” Lockett said. "We have a quarterback who can find a way to run and keep the game alive and you never know when he'll be able to give it to you."
REGISTRATION NUMBERS
Along with all other established brands, Wilson became the fifth quarterback to throw five touchdown passes in consecutive games, joining Ben Roethlisberger (2014), Tom Brady (2007), Daunte Culpepper (2004), and Tom Flores (1963).
SACK ATTACK
Dallas DE Aldon Smith had three sacks, two-loss tackles, four quarterback hits, and one pass defended in his most impactful game of the season. Dallas finished with four sacks from Wilson.
INJURIES
Seattle suffered serious injuries, including the safety of Adams' beauty and returning Chris Carson.
Adams suffered a thigh strain early in the fourth quarter when he made the embarrassing step in Prescott's lunge. He immediately withdrew from the game and was limping to the sidelines.
Carson suffered a sprained knee during recent training in Seattle. The Dallas defensive tackled Trysten Hill Lowe Carson awkwardly as he was dropping at 2 yards.
Seattle lost both starting goalkeepers - Mike Yopate (knee sprain) and Damian Lewis (ankle sprain) - in the first period. Rising back Jordyn Brooks, who made his debut, also left in the second half with a knee sprain.
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