The New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has suffered through 62 sacks thus far in the 2025 regular season and playoffs. It's not a healthy stat. Yet pressure also matters, though it is not in the same league as sacks.
Regardless, one area in which the Patriots have top performers in the NFL is in "quick pressures". Two Patriots defensive tackles, Christian Barmore and Milton Williams, are in the top five in that statistic.
While a "quick pressure" or any other kind is not equivalent to a sack, which by nature is a big or possibly even game-changing play, pressures still matter. They alter the natural flow of a play, and while finishing a play with a sack is definitive, pressures do matter.
Sam Darnold, the Seahawks' quarterback, will have to be aware that both Barmore and Williams can deliver big-time and have when the pressure is on. Barmore demonstrated that with a big sack against Jarrett Stidham in the AFC Championship win against the Broncos. Williams had two sacks against the Chargers in the AFC Wild Card game.
Patriots defensive tackles can bring the heat to Sam Darnold and the Seahawks
Both Christian Barmore and Milton Williams, in addition to delivering sacks, can also bring those "quick pressures" on the quarterback that can change the course of a play and possibly result in something positive for the team.
Most quick pressures among DT this season, including playoffs (@NextGenStats):
— NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) January 28, 2026
1. Jeffery Simmons - 26
2. Chris Jones - 24
3. Zach Allen - 15
3. Christian Barmore - 15
5. Milton Williams - 14
5. Jalen Carter - 14
Notable Seahawks OL quick pressures allowed:
Anthony Bradford…
Barmore ranks third in the NFL with 15 quick pressures, while Williams is right behind him in fifth place with 14. Coupled with pressure from the edge from K'Lavon Chaisson and Harold Landry III, if available, they will provide the wherewithal to send a shock into Darnold's offense on any given play.
Forcing Darnold from his comfort zone is critical for a Patriots win
Sacks, pressures, and hits are play-altering. When you're up against the Seahawks offense, you'd better be delivering them if you are trying to derail perhaps the NFL's most prolific quarterback/wide receiver duo in Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Darnold threw for a healthy 4048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions and a solid 67.7 completion percentage. It was Smith-Njigba who made the most of those throws. The All-Pro first-teamer caught a monstrous 119 passes for 1793 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The assignment of covering Smith-Njigba will fall on the Patriots Pro Bowl cornerback, Christian Gonzalez. He's certainly qualified, but any disruptions up front will be helpful if Seattle's offense is to be held in check.
He's a game-breaker and game-changer, and sacks, hits, and pressures are ways to help keep Darnold and Smith-Njigba in check.
The Patriots defense will have its hands full with the Seahawks offense. Yet Darnold has thrown 14 interceptions and can be forced into mistakes. But he was sacked only 27 times, compared with Drake Maye's 47 in the regular season. The advantage goes to Seattle.
Fortunately, the Patriots' defense is hitting its stride at exactly the right time. With Christian Barmore and its big-play champion, Milton Williams applying the pressure, the D is capable of taking the game into its own hands and winning it.
The Patriots' defense will be ready to go in the biggest game of the 2025 season. Seattle's offense is formidable, as is the Patriots' defense. It should be one heckuva matchup.