Super Bowl Spotlight: Seahawks Must Brace for Patriots' Game-Wrecker Milton Williams
The Seattle Seahawks have made a habit this season of flipping old narratives on their head - and nowhere is that more evident than in the trenches. After years of being a punching bag for critics, the Seahawks’ offensive line has quietly turned into a stabilizing force, helping power their run to the Super Bowl.
But as they prepare to face the New England Patriots on the sport’s biggest stage, one matchup looms large: right guard Anthony Bradford vs. Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams.
Let’s be clear - Bradford has had his moments this season. At 6-foot-4, 335 pounds, he’s built like a bulldozer and has shown flashes of dominance, especially in the run game.
But it’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride. For every pancake block, there’s been a missed assignment or a pressure allowed that leaves you scratching your head.
And now he’s staring down one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the postseason.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah didn’t mince words when he joined Brock and Salk this week: “You cannot let Milton Williams beat you,” Jeremiah said. “That’s the one matchup that heavily favors New England - him on Bradford. If the Patriots win this game, Milton Williams could be the MVP.”
That’s not hyperbole. Williams has been a force this postseason.
After spending four seasons with the Eagles - including a key role in their Super Bowl-winning defensive rotation - he’s taken things up a notch in New England. In just 12 regular season games, he racked up 36 quarterback pressures, ranking second among interior linemen who played fewer than 15 games.
And in the playoffs? He leads all interior D-linemen with 17 pressures.
He’s not just productive - he’s explosive. Jeremiah even drew a comparison that’ll hit home for Seahawks fans: “He reminds me a little bit of Michael Bennett. He’s got incredible quickness, and you can isolate him on guards.”
That’s the danger. Williams isn’t a traditional space-eater.
He’s a gap-shooter with elite first-step quickness, and the Patriots use him in ways that maximize that advantage. Sometimes they’ll line him up on the inside shoulder of the tackle, giving him a runway to build up speed and drive the guard straight back into the quarterback.
Other times, he’ll align tighter over the guard, baiting him into leaning one way before slicing across his face with a lightning-quick move.
“He’s really, really a dynamic athlete,” Jeremiah said. “He was really good in Philadelphia in some big games and going through their Super Bowl run. He kind of likes this stage.”
And that’s what makes this matchup so pivotal. If Bradford gets isolated on Williams too often, it could be a long night for Seattle’s offense. The Seahawks will need to scheme up help - whether that’s double-teams, slide protections, or quick throws - to keep Williams from wrecking the game.
Because make no mistake: Milton Williams is the kind of player who doesn’t just make plays - he changes outcomes. And if Seattle wants to lift the Lombardi Trophy, keeping him in check might be priority No. 1.