Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Christian Gonzalez Will Decide the Super Bowl

The Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Christian Gonzalez matchup isn’t just another cornerback vs. wide receiver duel. This matchup will decide the Super Bowl.

Both young stars have had breakout seasons with JSN winning Offensive Player of the Year last night and Gonzalez making the Pro Bowl.

Something has to give when these two players match up on Sunday, and it will be very exciting to watch. Here, we will break down the duel and give our pick on props for each player. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs Christian Gonzalez: Best on Best

Jaxon Smith-Njigba enters this game as arguably the NFL’s most dangerous wide receiver. The Seahawks star led the league in receiving yards with 1,793 in the regular season and has carried that elite production throughout the playoffs. 

His precise route running and ability to create separation make him a nightmare for defenses to scheme against.

On the other side, Christian Gonzalez has emerged as the cornerstone of the Patriots’ secondary. A first-round pick out of Oregon, Gonzalez has been a consistent cover man throughout the season and playoffs, earning praise for his confidence and competitive toughness. 

His interception in the AFC Championship sealed the deal and helped send the Patriots to the Super Bowl. He is +700 to have an interception in the big game, and he should see a lot of passes.

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Why This Matchup Matters More Than Most

Football is all about matchups and this is the best of the game. Seattle’s offense thrives on creating opportunities for its best players, and Smith-Njigba is the explosive star.

He was targeted heavily throughout the NFC Championship Game, turning ten catches into 153 yards and a touchdown. If he does this, New England doesn’t stand a chance in the Super Bowl. 

The Patriots, have a strong defense, forcing turnovers at pivotal moments. The best way for New England to get takeaways is by making stops in crunch time against JSN. 

The ability to slow Seattle’s top weapon would drastically reduce the Seahawks’ offensive efficiency, giving the Patriots a legitimate chance to win the game. 

If Gonzalez can shadow Smith-Njigba and disrupt his timing, the Patriots can force Seattle to run the ball and become one dimensional. This may increase turnover chances for the Patriots. 

The Scheme for Each Side

Mike Vrabel and the Patriots coaching staff face a critical decision in how they deploy Gonzalez. They could have him stay with JSN, but the Seahawks have multiple weapons.

This approach could leave other players open. Nevertheless, it feels like the right move based on how JSN can change games. 

For Seattle, the game plan could involve scheming to get Smith-Njigba favorable matchups or drawing Gonzalez into help-side responsibilities where his weakness could be exposed. Either way, Seattle has the edge, so the Patriots must rise up to a different level to win. 

JSN’s receiving prop is set at 93.5 in this game, which is very high. However, he consistently goes under this line. 

The Patriots know he must be stopped and for that reason I’m taking him to go under his total with a Gonzalez pick on FanDuel Sportsbook. 

Smith-Njigba will still be impactful. However, New England will have defensive success.

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