The Seattle Seahawks are staring down one of their biggest challenges yet: a red-hot New England Patriots front seven that’s been firing on all cylinders at just the right time. And at the heart of Seattle’s plan to hold the line-literally and figuratively-is a name that might’ve flown under the radar just a few months ago: Jalen Sundell.
Sundell, the Seahawks’ center, has been a revelation since returning from injury in Week 15. He’s not just holding his own-he’s been playing like one of the top centers in the league.
That’s not something you’d expect from an undrafted rookie out of an FCS program, but Sundell’s been defying expectations all season. Pair him with guard Grey Zabel, and you start to understand why North Dakota State was such a dominant force in college football.
Their chemistry, built over years together, is now paying dividends on the biggest stage.
At 6'5", 300 pounds, Sundell isn’t just big-he’s mobile. His ability to reach defenders in space and seal off lanes in the run game is a huge asset for Seattle’s offense.
Whether it’s getting to the second level to block a linebacker or cutting off a defensive tackle’s angle in the trenches, Sundell brings a rare blend of size, agility, and football IQ. But he’s about to face his toughest test yet-and it’s coming right up the middle.
Enter Milton Williams.
The Patriots’ defensive tackle is a game-wrecker, plain and simple. Seattle fans might remember his name from last year’s Super Bowl, when he turned in a dominant performance for the Eagles against Kansas City.
Two sacks, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble that turned into six points-Williams was everywhere. He didn’t get the MVP nod, but he probably should have.
That kind of impact is why New England handed him a four-year, $104 million contract this offseason.
After missing a chunk of the regular season (Weeks 12-17), Williams has come back with a vengeance in the playoffs. His strength and explosiveness make him a nightmare in one-on-one matchups, even for top-tier linemen.
Just ask Creed Humphrey. For Sundell, the key will be communication-especially with Zabel.
Expect Seattle to double-team Williams when necessary, and they’ll need to be sharp with their calls and adjustments at the line. Williams can wreck a game in a hurry if he’s left unchecked.
But the Patriots’ defensive punch doesn’t stop there. Behind Williams, linebacker Christian Elliss has been playing lights-out football during the back half of the season.
Another undrafted FCS product-this time out of Idaho-Elliss has carved out a major role in Mike Vrabel’s defense. His speed, instincts, and physicality make him a perfect fit in today’s NFL, and he’s been all over the field lately.
His ability to diagnose plays and shoot gaps could be a real problem for Seattle’s ground game if Sundell and the interior line can’t get to him at the second level.
That’s where Sundell’s athleticism becomes even more important. He’s shown he can move in space and adjust on the fly, but Elliss is the kind of linebacker who tests every step. Their head-to-head battles could be a deciding factor in whether Seattle can establish the run and keep the Patriots’ defense honest.
It’s wild to think that just a year ago, Sundell was an undrafted rookie coming off an injury, trying to find his place in the league. Now, he’s anchoring the offensive line in the Super Bowl.
But talk to anyone around the Seahawks, and they’ll tell you-he doesn’t carry himself like a rookie. He communicates like a vet, plays with poise, and has earned the trust of his teammates in the biggest moments.
Seattle’s return to the Super Bowl after an 11-year drought is full of storylines, but Sundell’s rise might be one of the most compelling. If the Seahawks are going to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, it’ll start with winning in the trenches-and Sundell will be right in the middle of it.