Super Bowl LX: Why Milton Williams Is the Patriots’ Key to Making History
The New England Patriots are on the doorstep of NFL immortality. A win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX would give them a record-breaking seventh Lombardi Trophy-more than any other franchise in league history. But standing in their way is a Seahawks team that’s favored by 4.5 points in Vegas and has built its resume against tougher competition all season long.
On paper, these two teams match up pretty evenly. Offensively and defensively, the numbers are close.
But the Seahawks’ path to this point has been filled with more top-tier opponents, and they’ve handled that gauntlet with grit and consistency. So if the Patriots are going to pull off the upset, it won’t just be about talent-it’ll come down to matchups.
And one player, in particular, could swing the balance.
Spoiler: It’s not Drake Maye.
Yes, the rookie quarterback is the face of the franchise’s future. But in these playoffs, he’s been more of a passenger than a driver.
Six fumbles and two interceptions in two postseason games don’t exactly scream “X-factor.” Yet, here the Patriots are-still standing.
That’s because their defense has been the engine of this run, and that’s where we find the true difference-maker heading into Sunday: Milton Williams.
The Offseason Gamble That’s Paying Off
New England came into the offseason with a clear mission-get tougher, faster, and more disruptive on defense. They didn’t just dip their toes into free agency; they dove in.
Linebacker Robert Spillane led the team in tackles. Harold Landry III brought edge pressure.
Carlton Davis III added veteran savvy to the secondary.
But the crown jewel of that defensive overhaul? Defensive end Milton Williams.
Williams arrived fresh off a Super Bowl victory with the Eagles, where he made life miserable for Patrick Mahomes with two sacks in a dominant 40-22 win. And while his pass-rushing chops are well documented, it’s his work against the run that’s been a revelation in Foxborough.
Built to Wreck the Run Game
At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, Williams is a rare blend of size and agility on the edge. He’s not just a big body-he’s a technician.
Quick hands, sharp instincts, and the ability to shed blocks make him a nightmare for offensive linemen. He might not always show up in the box score, but his impact is felt on nearly every snap.
He disrupts the timing of run plays, forces backs to bounce outside, and creates chaos in the backfield.
That’s going to matter in a big way against Seattle.
With Zach Charbonnet sidelined for the season, the Seahawks are leaning heavily on Kenneth Walker III. Walker is electric-capable of turning nothing into six points in a blink.
But he’s also prone to boom-or-bust runs. He’ll reverse field, gamble for daylight, and sometimes lose big yardage in the process.
If Williams can penetrate early and force Walker into those high-risk decisions, it could tilt the field in New England’s favor.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Before Williams went down with an ankle injury in Week 11, the Patriots ranked top five in the league in rushing yards allowed. But once he was sidelined, the run defense fell apart.
Over the next five games, New England gave up a staggering 166 rushing yards per game. That stretch included matchups against the Bengals, Giants, Bills, Ravens, and Jets-none of whom were exactly lighting up the ground game this season.
Then came Week 18. Williams returned against the Dolphins, and the impact was immediate.
Since his return, the Patriots have allowed just 69 rushing yards per game-the best mark in the league over that span. That’s not a coincidence. That’s Milton Williams doing what he does best: setting the edge, blowing up blocks, and forcing offenses to abandon the run.
The Bottom Line
If the Patriots are going to shock the Seahawks and bring home their seventh Super Bowl title, they’ll need to control the trenches. That starts with Williams.
He doesn’t need to fill the stat sheet. He just needs to do what he’s done all year-disrupt, redirect, and dominate.
So if you’re watching on Sunday and you don’t hear Milton Williams’ name called, that’s probably bad news for New England. Because if he’s not making noise, the Seahawks’ ground game might be. And if that happens, the Patriots' shot at history could slip right through their fingers.
But if Williams shows up like he has all season? Don’t be surprised if the Patriots are hoisting Lombardi No. 7 when the confetti falls.