The NFL season is kicking off with a Super Bowl LX rematch, and for our Emerald City Hawks, that means facing the New England Patriots on the road. All eyes are on Jaxon Smith-Njigba, our reigning OPOY, who is ready to pick up right where he left off last season alongside quarterback Sam Darnold. This is a massive game to start the season, and our new-look squad is ready to make a statement.
JSN Is Here to Dominate, Period.
Our Hawks are rolling out a fresh look this season, adjusting to some key departures and getting ready to show the league what we’ve got. But one thing is crystal clear: Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the undeniable center of our passing attack. This isn’t just hype, folks; it’s a fact. Last season, JSN put up an insane 119 catches for 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. That’s Offensive Player of the Year-level production, and he’s going to be stressing coverage across the entire field on every single snap.
In this opener against the Patriots, JSN is going up against one of New England’s top cover corners. This individual matchup on the perimeter could legitimately decide key possessions and swing the momentum of the game. A huge night from him isn’t just a bonus; it’s what opens up everything else for our offense with Sam Darnold under center. When JSN is firing, our whole team elevates, and we need that energy from the first whistle.
Patriots’ Revamped Attack vs. Our Defense
Now, the Patriots aren’t sitting still either. They added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs to their offense for quarterback Drake Maye, and they’re talking about a revamped attack and a rejuvenated defense. They’re looking to start their season with vengeance, no doubt, especially in a Super Bowl rematch.
On the ground, their main guy to watch is Stevenson, especially with TreVeyon Henderson ruled out for the opener. Stevenson is expected to carry the bulk of their snaps and touches out of the backfield, with Corey Kiner as his top understudy. New England will try to lean on him on early downs and in the passing game to control the tempo. If they’re going to try and dictate this game, he’s the player most likely to set that tone. Our defense is going to have to be on point to shut him down and force Maye to beat us through the air.
This isn’t just any opener; it’s a statement game right out of the gate, setting the tone for the whole year. We’re looking for that Darnold-to-Smith-Njigba connection to absolutely explode, and for our defense to bring that renowned Seattle slugfest energy. It’s time for some NFL football, and honestly, can it get here any faster? Get hyped, 12s, because our Hawks are ready to fly! Oh, and if you’re looking to add even more juice to the Super Bowl rematch, BetMGM has offers like getting up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets or betting $10 to get $150 with promo code FOXSPORTS. Just another way to get hyped for the return of NFL football!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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