This is a very interesting matchup when we dive into the X’s and O’s. It’s very easy to say Seattle will run away with this one. They have a very good balanced offense with Kenneth Walker and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. They have two great blocking tight-ends who provide a huge impact in the running game. On defense they don’t blitz much, but they seem to get the quarterback with ease. On paper, their the better team. But wait a minute, does the better team always win? It’s about execution, it’s about timely plays at timely moments. It’s about field goals in pressure moments. All of these things play a factor in the outcome of the biggest game of the year. For the Patriots, they’ve been winning all year with smart QB play, a solid run game and tough hard nosed defense. There defense is a reflection of their tough hard nosed coach and Mike Vrabel. He has these guys believing, and why not the Patriots this year, why not?

What do the underdog (-4.5) Patriots have to do to win this game? I think first and foremost they must keep Seattle’s offense off the field. Seattle is way too dangerous, and they can score points very quickly. A couple mid-range passes to JSN and before you know it there on the 10 yard line. They should and will have a plan for JSN, because as he goes the rest of the team goes. He’s there #1 target and if they can shut him down They need to run the ball and control the clock as much as they can. They need to mix in some play action and throw short to intermediate throws. But most important be smart with the ball. Their margin for error in this game is very slim. They need to take advantage of certain opportunities and score touchdowns, not field goals when they have a chance. Also, they will need one if not two turnovers and create a short field for themselves. It’s important to remember, Sam Darnold has had his issues, and has made his mistakes in big games. I don’t think he just forgets about that, and maybe even thinks about it during this game. There is a lot of pressure in the biggest game of the season. But if he stays mistake free and lights it up, it could be a long game for the Patriots.

What do the favorites Seattle have to do? Well, that’s fairly simple. They need to play their game with a balanced offensive attack, play good defense and minimize turnovers. They cannot give the Patriots a short field. They need to “run up the score” and just keep the pedal on the gas. If they get up by 14 or 21 I think the game is over. They cannot let the Pats linger in this game and stay close. On the defensive side of the ball, they need to come after Maye early and often. He has been sacked 15 times in the 3 playoff games he’s played. If this continues, they will have no chance in this game. With all that said, my prediction is soley on the fact that whoever the critics thought would win and whatever they thought the score would be, either the opposite would happen or most of them were clearly wrong. Everybody is on that Seattle Train as they should be, there the better team, but slow your role!! I like the Patriots in a game where they frustrate Seattle with their potent D and create turnovers. In this game, Darnold may struggle, so how does he overcome that adversity. Everybody sit back on your couch and watch this, as it may be a different game then we all think it might be.

Patriots 21 Seattle 20

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The Good

The Seahawks already have a formidable wide receiving corps headlined by D.K. Metcalf. They were only missing one piece and that was a slot receiver. Seattle addressed that need in the 2023 NFL Draft by selecting Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba is the next great Buckeye receiver and should fit right in on Seattle’s offense. He has exceptional hands and consistently makes tough contested catches. Smith-Njigba’s final season with the Buckeyes was injury plagued and he will have to show that he can stay healthy at this level.

The Bad

Like many other teams we have profiled, the Seattle Seahawks biggest weakness is on the offensive line. Seattle will need its young tackles to show great improvement in order to be successful. Mainly LT Charles Cross struggled down the stretch last year and the hope is he can better handle a long NFL season in year two. Evan Brown will take over the center position after spending last season with the Detroit Lions. The hope is Brown can be the anchor on this young o-line.

The Prediction

I see Seattle as a team that can make a run this year. It should be a head-to-head battle between them and the San Francisco 49ers with the 49ers pulling away late in the season. Keep an eye on rookie Zach Charbonnet as he could eventually take over as the starting running back.

2023 Record: (10-7 2nd in the Division)

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QUARTERBACKS

#1 Bryce Young – Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young is in Carolina after months of anticipation. He had been first overall on draft boards for the longest time when Carolina made the trade. We will see if the size concerns are legitimate as he is expected to start early on for the Panthers. Carolina did a good job bringing in pieces such as Adam Thielen and Hayden Hurst. Unless he’s a total bust, Bryce will have a strong rookie season.

#2 C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans

After all the noise in the pre-draft process, the Texans took the best QB available at number two. With all the propaganda against Stroud, his stock was falling and even the gambling lines weren’t a fan of him. Stroud goes into a rebuilding situation in Houston with few good options such as Robert Woods and Dameon Pierce. With Houston being in one of the weakest divisions in the NFL, he can make noise early on. The stats might not look as nice but I believe in C.J. Stroud.

#4 Anthony Richardson – Indianapolis Colts

The Colts shocked the draft boards when they selected Anthony Richardson with the fourth pick of the draft. Many were speculating that Will Levis would be the pick but the Colts were higher on Richardson. Richardson comes in as a project as he will need experience first. So, expect a rocky season in terms of win-loss record. His running game could give him points, like what Justin Fields did last season. I expect AR to be the starter as Gardner Minshew will serve as a good backup to him to help him grow. He’s worth stashing since he’ll most likely have a rocky start.

RUNNING BACKS

#8 Bijan Robinson – Atlanta Falcons

Bijan Robinson had been touted as the best non-QB offensive weapon in this class. With the value of RBs decreasing, his talent level was respected very much as he had top-10 pick status in mock drafts. Atlanta chose to use their eighth pick on him in the draft. Now, he would be their top RB and a nice piece for Desmond Rider. People were hoping he would go somewhere else where his talent can shine more. The Falcons drafted Tyler Allgeier last year and he just ran for over 1000 yards. I think it’s safe to assume Bijan will get the workload immediately. Allgeier could steal some snaps early on, especially if he’s doing well.

#12 Jahmyr Gibbs – Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions traded down to 12 and got two more picks for the 6th and 81st. They surprisingly took Jahmyr Gibbs out of Alabama with the 12th pick. Draft boards had Gibbs to be drafted later in the first round and running back isn’t a need for the Lions. Besides keeping D’Andre Swift, they also signed David Montgomery in the offseason. This might be a tough first season production-wise for Gibbs as he will have two established players ahead of him. Keep him on your mind in case any of the two gets injured during the season.

Update: D’Andre Swift has been traded to the Eagles so this leaves Gibbs with the potential to have a decent rookie season. It could be similar to the Swift-Williams combo last season.

WIDE RECEIVERS

#20 Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Seattle Seahawks

The first wide receiver off the board took longer than expected as the Seahawks took Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Many of the mocks had him as early as 12th to the Texans but the teams went with other options. This pick is interesting as he goes to a wide receiver room of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. In case Lockett, leaves JSN would serve as a good replacement and it gives Geno Smith an extra weapon. JSN would be worth drafting in the middle to late rounds.

#21 Quentin Johnson – Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers went for a receiver a pick after when they took Quentin Johnson. A monster of a man, he makes the Chargers receiving core even bigger and much richer. It will be hard to spread the ball around with Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, and Austin Ekeler getting passes from Justin Herbert. He’s worth stashing depending on the availability of the receivers.

#22 Zay Flowers – Baltimore Ravens

What a day for the Baltimore Ravens as they were able to secure Lamar for the future and get him help with Zay Flowers. The wide receivers in Baltimore weren’t impressive last season. Now, with OBJ, Flowers, and Andrews, Lamar will feel much more comfortable in the passing game with Baltimore. Flowers is very explosive and can go off in those long TD catch and runs.

#23 Jordan Addison – Minnesota Vikings

While losing Adam Thielen to Carolina hurt, they have found his replacement in Jordan Addison. The wide receiver prospect out of Minnesota will enjoy Kirk Cousins‘ passes and being beside Justin Jefferson. He is the perfect complement for him and can have a sneaky good year for the Vikings.

TIGHT ENDS

#25 Dalton Kincaid – Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills drafted the only tight end in the first round with Utah’s Dalton Kincaid. Dalton is more of a pass-catcher which makes it interesting as Dawson Knox still has years left in his contract. It does give Josh Allen more weapons and different looks such as possibly double tight-end plays. It may take a year or two for Dalton to be a fantasy option but he has the skills to be a good pass-catcher.

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BACKGROUND

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a wide receiver prospect out of Texas. He had a legendary career out of high school, earning him buzz from almost all colleges in the country. In his senior season, he had 104 catches for 2094 yards and 35 TDs. This performance was rewarded with the Landry Award and Texas Gatorade Football Player of the Year Award. Rivals listed him as a five-star prospect and the fourth-best WR in the class. He committed to play for Ohio State.

COLLEGE CAREER

Ohio State always has elite wide receiver talent, which was shown in Njigba’s first year. With all the talent, he was limited to just seven games as a freshman. He had 10 catches for 49 yards and a TD. His second year was when everything changed for him. In 13 games, he had 95 receptions, 1606 yards, and nine TDs. He broke multiple records that season such as an FBS Bowl Record of 347 yards in the Rose Bowl and 15 receptions in a win against Nebraska. He was awarded Third-team All-Big Ten and Third-team All-American for his performance that season.

2022-2023 COLLEGE CAREER

His junior season was met with disappointment as he only played in three games. He had an opportunity to play in the College Football Playoff but he decided to sit out. He decided to forego his final year at Ohio State for the upcoming NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS: Route-Running

Jaxon has a lot of talent as a slot receiver. He can read defenses, has smooth hips and can make quick adjustments. His focus is unmatched especially in the open field. What’s also impressive is that his co-WRs in the 2021 season are all in the NFL and he was still able to get all those numbers. His soft but strong hands will make him a coach and QB’s dream.

WEAKNESSES: Lack Of Explosion

He has been graded as a not-so-good athlete and lacks serious explosion. The injury with the hamstring can affect his limited athleticism so he has to prove it’s just a one-year thing. This may be a challenge, especially against elite cornerbacks. Another nitpick is that he drops the ball a little too much for a supposed elite WR coming out of college.

PLAYER COMPARISON: Adam Thielen

TEAMS WHO COULD DRAFT HIM

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is seen as either the top or second-best WR in this draft class. With how much offense is prioritized in the NFL, he will be an excellent asset for anyone that drafts him. Teams like Houston, Green Bay, and New England would greatly benefit from having Jaxon in their team to help their young QBs.

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