> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # X-Factors to Watch as Seahawks Seek Lombardi Trophy vs. Patriots in Super Bowl LX - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/x-factors-seattle-seahawks-seek-lombardi-trophy-new-england-patriots-super-bowl-lx/ - Published: 2026-02-03T22:52:07.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T06:16:06.000Z - Author: Corbin Smith - Tags: Analysis, Seahawks, George Holani, Jake Bobo, Eric Saubert, Boye Mafe, Drake Thomas, Ty Okada \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="5576"\] ![ Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) reacts after a sack against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/usatsi_24244367-format-original.jpg) Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) reacts after a sack against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images \[/caption\] Appearing in three Super Bowls in their first 49 years as a franchise, the Seattle Seahawks have had plenty of unsung heroes emerge in the big game. From Chris Matthews’ unexpected 109-yard performance in Super Bowl XLIX to Malcolm Smith’s pick six against Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLVIII, starring on the brightest stage has been reserved for far more than household names. As the Seahawks prepare for their fourth Super Bowl this upcoming Sunday against the New England Patriots at Levis Stadium, which players could surface as the next Matthews or Smith and write their names in football immortality with a starring performance that seemingly comes out of nowhere? Here’s a look at six prime X-Factor candidates who could flip Super Bowl LX for Seattle with an unexpected major impact: ### George Holani Returning from a lengthy injured reserve stint just in time to replace Zach Charbonnet, Holani had a quiet first game back as a rusher in the NFC Championship Game, rushing three times for four yards as the Rams bottled him up quickly every time he touched the football on run plays. However, he caught each of his final three targets from Sam Darnold in the passing game, turning those opportunities into 27 yards with a missed tackle forced and a first down conversion. Known for his pass-catching prowess dating back to his time at Boise State, the second-year back could be an under the radar weapon against a Patriots defense that allowed 84 receptions, tied for the fifth-most in the NFL, to running backs this season. Aside from spelling Ken Walker III with a handful of carries, look for Klint Kubiak to try to get him matched up against linebackers Robert Spillane and Christian Ellis, taking advantage of his speed and soft hands against a pair of defenders who allowed 87% or higher completion rates in coverage in 2025. ### Jake Bobo Negatively impacted by the arrival of Cooper Kupp and Tory Horton as well as dealing with an Achilles injury that cost him several games, Bobo endured a difficult third season with the Seahawks, catching only two passes on two targets before postseason play opened last month. Despite being an afterthought in the regular season, however, the popular former undrafted signee has re-emerged in the playoffs with Darnold showing the utmost trust in him by targeting him in crucial situations, including connecting for a 17-yard touchdown in the NFC Championship Game immediately after a special teams turnover. Bobo will never be mistaken for being fleet of foot or anything in the same zip code as fast, but his size coupled with route running savvy can create mismatches against smaller corners, especially out of the slot and in the red zone. If he gets matched up against 5-8 slot cornerback Marcus Jones, who has surrendered eight touchdowns in coverage this year, Darnold may salivate at the opportunity to loft the ball up to the big wideout and let him go to work boxing out his much smaller defender. ### Eric Saubert Not known for his receiving skills, Saubert has carved out a lengthy NFL career primarily for his blue collar work ethic as a blocker and special teams cog, not being a force to reckon with with the football in his hands. Still, when the Seahawks have called his number this year, he has been efficient with his opportunities to catch the ball, snagging four out of five targets for 31 yards and scoring the game-winning two-point conversion to beat the Rams in Week 16\. The Patriots have been vulnerable much of the year defending tight ends, ranking 11th in receptions allowed (97) and receiving yards allowed (971) to the position. With AJ Barner and potentially rookie Elijah Arroyo ahead of him on the pecking order, don’t expect Saubert to get more than a target or two. But it wouldn’t be surprising if he came up with a big catch in a key situation as a secondary read for Darnold, continuing to deliver with his limited chances while making an impact in many ways that don’t show up in the box score with his physicality and toughness. ### Boye Mafe Putting a former second-round pick with 34 career starts on his resume as an X-Factor may seem like a reach, but Mafe didn’t post numbers anywhere close to expectations in a contract year. Even though he played in all 17 games, he registered a career-low two sacks and four quarterback hits, failing to generate anticipated impact harassing quarterbacks as a pass rusher. With that said, the low sack and quarterback hit totals didn’t fully reflect his performance, as he still topped 40 pressures, and he has a potentially advantageous matchup against an opponent he has played well against in the past. Rookie tackle Will Campbell has struggled protecting Drake Maye in the playoffs, allowing three sacks and 11 pressures thus far, with his lack of length showing up getting beat by speed rushes on several occasions. Arguably Seattle’s best upfield rusher, Mafe’s speed and ability to bend around the corner could give him a significant edge working against the embattled rookie on the biggest stage. ### Drake Thomas If there’s a player whose trajectory best emulates the Seahawks’ unexpected path to a Super Bowl, Thomas may take the cake. Opening the season as a backup behind Tyrice Knight, he quickly vaulted into the lineup and didn’t look back, nearly hitting 100 tackles for the first time in his career with 3.5 sacks and six pass breakups, stuffing the stat sheet in a variety of ways. Previously waived by the Raiders after his first training camp before being claimed by the Seahawks, the ex-North Carolina State star has been more than an average starter alongside Ernest Jones, playing at a borderline All-Pro level for much of the 2025 season. His versatility as a do-it-all linebacker could come in quite handy on Sunday, as Seattle could sprinkle in some spy coverages for the human bullet to chase down Maye when he attempts to take off as a scrambler and also utilize him as a blitzer against the pass and run to wreak some havoc in the backfield. ### Ty Okada Seizing every opportunity in his third season with Julian Love and Coby Bryant both missing time due to injury, Okada allowed Seattle’s defense to keep rolling without missing a beat, tallying 65 tackles, an interception, 1.5 sacks, and five pass breakups. He has had to take a step back into a situational reserve and special team role in the playoffs with Love and Bryant both being healthy, including only seeing two defensive snaps in the NFC Championship Game, but Mike Macdonald has been more than happy to continue mixing him into the lineup in dime and bandit packages. Considering the Patriots have been one of the most aggressive teams in the NFL taking shots downfield in the passing game with Maye at the controls, having an extra safety on the field may make sense personnel-wise. After coming through time and time again this season when called upon, don’t be shocked if Okada gets his hands on a football, contributes on a blitz, or creates another impact play or two as a sub-package weapon.