Heading into the Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks bring one of the league’s most formidable defenses to the table-fast, physical, and more than capable of standing toe-to-toe with any unit in the NFL. But while their defense inspires confidence, the offense tells a more complicated story.
Yes, there’s top-tier talent in the mix. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has emerged as a dynamic threat in the passing game, and Kenneth Walker continues to be a home-run hitter out of the backfield. But the biggest question mark hanging over this team isn’t about their stars-it's about the trenches.
And right now, all eyes are on the interior of the Seahawks’ offensive line, particularly at right guard, where Anthony Bradford is set to face arguably his toughest challenge of the season.
Bradford vs. Williams: A Mismatch in the Making?
Let’s not sugarcoat it-Bradford has struggled in the postseason. Through two playoff games, he’s allowed pressure on 15.3% of his pass-blocking snaps, per NFL Next Gen Stats. That’s a glaring number, especially when you consider the stakes and the caliber of defensive linemen waiting on the other side.
And unfortunately for Seattle, things don’t get any easier in the Super Bowl. Lining up across from Bradford is Milton Williams, a disruptive force on the interior who has a knack for wrecking game plans.
Williams isn’t just good-he’s one of the best in the league at generating pressure from the guard spot. In fact, only two players in the entire NFL have a pressure rate north of 13% when rushing from the interior: Williams and his teammate Christian Barmore.
That’s right-Bradford won’t just have to deal with Williams. He’ll also have to contend with Barmore, creating a nightmare scenario for Seattle’s interior line.
There’s no weak link to exploit, no obvious mismatch to lean on. It’s relentless pressure from both sides, and it’s coming fast.
Why This Matchup Matters So Much
In games like this, the battle in the trenches often decides the outcome. When you’ve got a quarterback like Sam Darnold under center-talented, but still trying to prove he can deliver on the biggest stage-you need to give him time.
You need to keep him upright. And that starts with the guys up front.
Seattle can try to mask the issue-slide protection, chip help, quick throws-but at some point, Bradford is going to have to hold his own. And based on what we’ve seen so far this postseason, that’s a tall order.
Williams has already proven he can dominate on the biggest stage-he was a difference-maker in last year’s Super Bowl with the Eagles. Now, paired with Barmore, he forms a tandem that can collapse a pocket before a play even develops.
If the Seahawks can’t find a way to slow down that interior pressure, it could be a long day for Darnold and the offense. And in a game where every possession matters, one or two blown protections could swing the momentum-and the Lombardi Trophy-with it.
The Bottom Line
Seattle’s defense is elite. Their skill players on offense are explosive. But none of that will matter if the offensive line-especially Anthony Bradford-can’t hold the line.
This isn’t just a matchup to watch. It might be the matchup that determines who lifts the trophy when the confetti falls.