Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba Power Seahawks to Super Bowl Showdown with Patriots
The Seattle Seahawks are heading back to the Super Bowl - and they’re doing it with Sam Darnold at the helm. In his first season with the franchise, Darnold has helped guide Seattle to its first Super Bowl appearance since 2015, setting up a marquee matchup with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60.
It’s a full-circle moment for the Seahawks, who last faced the Patriots on this stage 11 years ago in a dramatic 28-24 loss. That game ended in heartbreak for Seattle. This time, they’re hoping Darnold and a rising star in Jaxon Smith-Njigba can flip the script.
The Darnold Effect
Let’s start with the quarterback. Darnold’s journey to this point has been anything but linear.
But since arriving in Seattle, he’s provided the kind of stability and playmaking that’s been missing since the prime Russell Wilson years. He’s not just managing games - he’s making winning plays, especially when it counts.
That said, there’s still a spotlight on the Seahawks’ run game heading into the Super Bowl. Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms pointed out a potential concern following Seattle’s NFC Championship win.
“They didn’t run the ball great last night,” Simms said on Up & Adams. “But they’ve been strong on the ground late in the season.
I think the Rams dared Darnold to beat them through the air, and he did. But that’s something New England might try to replicate.”
It’s a fair point. The Seahawks' rushing attack has been inconsistent at times, and against a disciplined Patriots defense, balance will be critical. If Seattle becomes too one-dimensional, it could give New England a chance to dial up pressure and force Darnold into uncomfortable situations.
Smith-Njigba Emerging as a Star
If there’s been one constant in Seattle’s offense this season, it’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The second-year wideout has been nothing short of electric. He racked up 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns on 119 catches during the regular season, and he’s kept that momentum rolling in the playoffs with 172 yards and two scores on 13 receptions across two games.
Smith-Njigba has quickly become Darnold’s go-to target - and for good reason. He’s not just a possession receiver; he’s a game-breaker.
His route running, hands, and ability to create separation make him a nightmare for opposing secondaries. But as Simms noted, Seattle will need more than just JSN to take down the Patriots.
“If you ask me one weakness that has to be delved into here in the next two weeks,” Simms said, “it can’t just be Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the pass game. There’s gotta be somebody else.”
That “somebody else” could be a number of players - a veteran receiver stepping up, a tight end making key chain-moving plays, or even a running back contributing in the passing game. But the point stands: Seattle can’t afford to be overly reliant on one weapon, no matter how talented he is.
A Chance at Redemption
For Seattle fans, this Super Bowl carries extra weight. The last time the Seahawks were on this stage, they were one yard away from a second straight title - only to see it slip away in one of the most infamous endings in NFL history. Now, they get a shot at redemption against the very same franchise.
And while Darnold is new to this chapter of Seahawks history, he’s got a chance to write his own legacy. A win on February 8 would not only be a career-defining moment for the quarterback - it would also cement this Seahawks team as one of the most compelling stories of the NFL season.
With a dynamic young receiver in Smith-Njigba, a defense that’s found its edge late in the year, and a quarterback playing with confidence, Seattle heads into Super Bowl 60 with belief - and a little unfinished business.
Get ready. Seahawks vs. Patriots, Round 2, is officially on.