Game within the game: Two young stars to play key role in Super Bowl

One of the key matchups of Super Bowl LX involves two kids from Texas who were selected just three picks apart in the first round of the 2023 draft.

Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a pair of All-Pros who have emerged as star players for their teams, will square off Sunday in a fascinating battle that will go a long way toward determining the outcome.

Gonzalez, drafted 17th overall out of Oregon, played 14 games this season and recorded 69 tackles and 10 pass defenses. He has quickly established himself as a polished, effective shutdown corner.

Smith-Njigba, drafted 20th overall out of Ohio State, enjoyed a breakout season with 119 catches for a league-leading 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. He followed that up with 13 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns during the Seahawks’ two-game postseason run to the Super Bowl.

None of which is new for Gonzalez, who’s been following Smith-Njiba’s exploits since both played high school football in the Dallas area.

“It’s a big place, but it’s not that big,” Gonzalez said. “I have the most respect for him. I’ve been seeing him make these plays since high school. So a lot of respect, and I’m excited. It’s going to be a fun one.”

With reality setting in that he’s about to step onto the biggest stage in North American sports, Smith-Njigba is soaking it all in.

“It’s a blessing. I don’t take it for granted,” he said. “A lot of great players, great Hall of Fame players, don’t get to be able to be up on this stage, so for me to be able to do it at 23 is a blessing. I’m going to take full advantage of this moment.”

Part of which means squaring off against Gonzalez.

“He plays the game really well, so it’s a lot of respect,” Smith-Njigba said. “It’s going to be a great matchup.”

And a critical one.

Bottom line: If the explosive, 6-foot, 200-pound Smith-Njigba has a go-off game in which he punishes the Patriots with nine or more catches for 140-plus yards, chances are it’s going to be a great day for the Seahawks.

On the other hand, if the 6–foot-1 Gonzalez, a former track standout who possesses tremendous athletic ability with elite technical skills, can put the clamps on Smith-Njigba, the Patriots very well could hoist their seventh Vince Lombardi trophy.

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Gonzalez is looking forward to going toe-to-toe with one of the best young wide receivers in the game.

“He can do everything from every spot on the field,” Gonzalez said.  “He’s a smooth route-runner, can run every route, and he’s just an amazing player. I got the utmost respect for him, and I’m excited for Sunday.”

The respect is mutual.

“He’s an elite defender, an elite guy,” Smith-Njigba said of Gonzalez. “He’s a very well-rounded cornerback and can do a lot of things.”

No matter who Smith-Njigba lines up against on Sunday, he will appreciate the challenge of figuring out ways to attack him.

“It’s almost like playing basketball, the art of getting open,” Smith-Njigba said. “The art of thinking, what is this guy defending me thinking, and what moves do I have, and what countermoves can I do? It’s like a chess match. That’s something I really love about it.”

But the Patriots could have an ace up their sleeve in defending Smith-Njigba.

While Gonzalez will be front and center by shadowing Smith-Njigba, whom Patriots coach Mike Vrabel describes as “sudden, savvy and competitive, the Patriots’ heavy zone coverage scheme will also come into play.

There is statistical evidence suggesting that defensive approach is the perfect solution against the Seahawks, whose wide receiver usage drops significantly when opposing defenses roll out zone coverages.

According to Sharp Football, the Seahawks’ wide receiver target rate against man coverage is a league-high 78.0 percent. But it drops to 56.1 percent against zone looks. The dropoff of 21.9 percentage points from man to zone is the largest in the league. Against zone, the Seahawks throw far more to tight ends and running backs.

Expect the Patriots to switch things up throughout the game to deal with a wide receiver the Seahawks keep finding new ways to free up.

“They use him in so many ways, and he’s able to be a game changer from any spot on the field,” Gonzalez said. “He’s a baller.”

Gonzalez is ready to do his part, no matter what scheme the Patriots decide to roll with.

“Whatever the DC calls, that’s what we’re going to do,” Gonzalez said.