'JSN vs. Gonzo' Tops the Bill in Patriots-Seahawks NFL Season Opener

It's the matchup everyone wants to see, but will the New England defensive brain trust mix things up as they did in Super Bowl LX?

by Hector Longo

Sep 9, 2026

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

So the stage is set tonight in Seattle.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba got paid. Christian Gonzalez got paid (finally!).

Wednesday night, they collide head to head when the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots in the National Football League season opener.

One on one for 60 minutes. Receiver vs. cornerback. May the better man win.

Well, not exactly.

A Super Bowl fallacy

Contrary to public opinion in New England, it was not simply Gonzalez, who shackled JSN in Super Bowl LX, holding the reigning Offensive Player of the Year to four catches for 27 yards.

While Gonzalez was excellent – easily the best Patriot on the field in the Super Bowl – only a fraction of his snaps were spent shadowing Smith-Njigba in man coverage without help.

Gonzalez’ three top plays in the game, his three pass breakups, came against three different receivers — Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp and Smith-Njigba.

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0).

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Had the Patriots won, the amazing, fully-extended deflection on the deep ball intended for Shaheed in the second quarter could have been the signature play of the game, in fact.

Changing schemes confused Darnold

But shutting Smith-Njigba down in the Super Bowl had much more to do with head coach Mike Vrabel, defensive play-caller Zak Kuhr and a mix of defensive looks that more than anything flustered Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold.

The strategy on the back end was very similar to the approach Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores employed in the regular season when Smith-Njigba was held to a season-low two grabs or 23 yards.

JSN will get much attention

Vrabel’s respect level for Smith-Njigba remains very high. What makes him special?

“Well, just the suddenness, route craft,” said Vrabel. “He is smooth, he can play at different speeds, he plays inside, he runs a full route tree, he is strong at the catch point. But I just think that the savviness and the ability to get in and out of breaks are really impressive.”

Expect more of the same from the Patriots, who got splendid news, just in the nick of time, with the Gonzalez contract extension of four years and $135 million.

The secondary is now complete and ready for the opening night challenge. Stopping, or at least slowing down Smith-Njigba will take a community effort.