Seattle allowed the fourth-lowest DaDOT (7.2) while New England was tied for the eighth-lowest (7.6). In terms of total air yards, Seattle allowed the 11th-fewest while New England allowed the 15th-lowest. For average yards per attempt, Seattle was second-best at 6.2 while New England was tied for third-best at 6.3. Translation: both teams are excellent at limiting the deep passing play.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was head and shoulders above every other player in yards per route at 3.7. Stefon Diggs was the next player with significant volume at 2.2. Interestingly, Rashid Shaheed was at only 1.1.
Amongst players with at least 30 targets, Kayshon Boutte had the highest yards per target at 11.4. Smith-Njigba was right behind at 11. Austin Hooper, Rhamondre Stevenson and Stefon Diggs were all at 9.1 or 9.2.
Boutte led the way with 17.2 average yards per target. Shaheed was at 14.4 while Smith-Njigba was at 11.2. Everyone else was below 10.
Even though the volume won’t be there for Shaheed, I do think he gets a few opportunites and will make one big play. I’m not expecting a game-breaking touchdown or anything, although that’s in the range of outcomes. Both defenses are good at keeping plays in front of them and tackling. New England blitzes and plays a smidge more man than Seattle, which gets me to side with Shaheed on this one.
