With just one game remaining on the NFL schedule, all eyes will be on Super Bowl 60 between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. There are a lot of factors to consider in this year’s Super Bowl, and a number of key matchups to keep an eye on throughout the game.
In today’s NFL, teams develop schemes that are built around exploiting specific personnel mismatches. These discrepancies are magnified in the Super Bowl, when everything is on the line. These are the battles within the battle that often decide the final outcome.
Whether you’re a sports bettor looking to gain an edge before the big game, or just a football fan who wants to understand the on-field nuances at play, we’ve got you covered. Let’s jump right in and take a look at some of the key matchups to watch out for in Super Bowl 60.
Sam Darnold vs. Patriots Pass Rush
What Darnold has accomplished in his first year in Seattle has been impressive, throwing for over 4,000 yards and leading the Seahawks to the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Having said that, there have been moments throughout the season that give reason for pause.
He’ll face a stiff test in the Super Bowl, going up against a Patriots pass rush that has no trouble getting after the quarterback. New England’s defensive front generates high pressure rates and has increased its blitz usage during the playoffs, leading to chaos for opposing offences.
This type of pressure could impact Darnold’s decision-making and timing, and potentially lead to some game-changing turnovers. It’s been more than six years since Darnold’s infamous “ghost” game against the Patriots, but we could see some ghosts reappear in Super Bowl 60.
Patriots Ground Game vs Seahawks Front Seven
With 128.9 rushing yards per game, New England had one of the NFL’s top rushing attacks this season. Those numbers only increased during this year’s playoff run, and have been a major reason for their postseason success. Rhamondre Stevenson has been an effective tool out of the backfield, while quarterback Drake Maye has also been able to move the chains consistently with his legs.
On the other side of the ball, Seattle’s front seven has been a terror all season long, giving up a measly 91.9 rushing yards per game. They’re stout against inside runs and can get to the runner behind the line of scrimmage, leading to negative plays for their opponents.
This is an important matchup to watch out for during the game, as the Patriots rely on their efficient run game to set up manageable third downs. It also enables them to sustain long, drawn-out drives, which allows them to eat up the clock and dominate time of possession. If they’re unable to do this against the Seahawks defence, it could seriously derail their Super Bowl game plan.
JSN vs. New England Cornerbacks
Few receivers have put together a campaign like the one Jaxon Smith-Njigba just had for Seattle. JSN finished the regular season with 119 catches and an NFL-leading 1,793 receiving yards. His unique skill set was on full display in the NFC Championship Game, finishing with 10 catches for 153 yards and 1 touchdown.
New England will need to find a way to slow him down in the Super Bowl if they want any chance to compete with the Seahawks. Luckily for the Patriots, Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III have displayed elite coverage throughout the playoffs, allowing very few big plays. Seattle sends plenty of targets JSN’s way, so these two should see plenty of action all game long.
Make no mistake about it, this will be one of the defining personnel matchups to watch in the Super Bowl. How well Gonzalez and Davis III handle Smith-Njigba in isolation could dictate the Seahawks’ entire passing game, and ultimately determine the winner of Super Bowl 60.
Rashid Shaheed vs. Patriots Special Teams
In one of the year’s best midseason acquisitions, the Seahawks traded a fourth and fifth-round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints for wide receiver and return specialist Rashid Shaheed in early November. That move has paid off in spades, with Shaheed scoring multiple kick returns and punt return touchdowns this season, and in the playoffs.
His skill set was on full display during Seattle’s Divisional Round matchup with the 49ers, when he took the opening kickoff 95 yards for the score. All of this puts a ton of pressure on the Patriots’ kickoff coverage units to avoid giving up momentum. The same can be said for New England’s punt coverage; they’ll want to avoid kicking to him when possible, and stay disciplined in their lane coverage when they do.
You can be sure that the Patriots are game planning for the dynamic kick returner, and they’ll need strategic placements and wedges to limit Shaheed’s open space and prevent any explosive plays. Ironically enough, Seattle was the last team to score a kick return touchdown in the Super Bowl when Percy Harvin returned the opening kick of the second half 87 yards in Super Bowl XLVIII. If they can repeat the feat in Super Bowl 60, it could be enough to shift the entire game in the Seahawks favour.