The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will square off in Super Bowl LX on Sunday. What a shocking journey it's been for both organizations. This is quite possibly the unlikeliest Super Bowl matchup in NFL history, considering offseason perceptions.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel inherited a 3-14 team and immediately flipped the culture. The Seahawks made an unpopular decision to swap Geno Smith for Sam Darnold at quarterback. Every gamble these two teams made throughout the offseason led to this moment.
Super Bowl LX could be a defensive battle. Both Vrabel and Macdonald coach disciplined football teams that prioritize toughness first and foremost. We've identified three player-vs-player matchups that could decide Sunday's outcome.
Seahawks DE Leonard Williams vs. Patriots C Garrett Bradbury
The Seahawks posted 47 sacks throughout the regular season, tied for seventh-most in the league. Veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams tied for the team lead with seven sacks. On Sunday, Williams should take advantage of mismatch opportunities inside versus Patriots center Garrett Bradbury and rookie left guard Jared Wilson.
Bradbury is an undersized, athletic center who struggles in pass protection against powerful defensive linemen. Pro Football Focus has credited Wilson with allowing four sacks and 28 total pressures this season. Bradbury and Wilson have also struggled in the run game. Williams is a true three-down threat who places stress on the opposition on an every-down basis.
Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez
Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak totally unlocked Jaxon Smith-Njigba this season. It's a big reason why he got the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching job, with Fernando Mendoza's development in mind. Smith-Njigba led the NFL in receiving yards this year with 1,793, adding 119 receptions (fourth-most) and 10 touchdowns.
Patriots superstar cornerback Christian Gonzalez may be tasked with shadowing Smith-Njigba throughout the evening. The Patriots played Cover 1 (man coverage) on 24% of their snaps this season, the seventh-highest rate of Cover 1 in the NFL, according to Fantasy Points Data. Gonzalez has allowed just 44.6% of targets thrown his way to be converted into catches, and quarterbacks have a passer rating of 58.3 when testing him, per Pro Football Focus. Gonzalez versus Smith-Njigba is must-watch television.
Patriots RBs vs. Seahawks front seven
Vrabel wants to run the football effectively in Super Bowl LX. He'll be hesitant to place too much on Drake Maye, even though the sophomore quarterback is a legitimate MVP and OPOY candidate. Running the football with TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson will be imperative to Josh McDaniels' offensive game plan.
The Patriots have rushed for 130.7 yards per game throughout their three postseason wins. Despite having a stout front seven, the Seahawks have allowed 111.0 rushing yards per playoff contest. The likes of Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Ernest Jones IV will be tasked with playing aggressively and winning their matchups up front to ensure the Patriots don't get into their comfort zone.