The deciding factor in Super Bowl LX can be the New England Patriots own and unlikely version of “Beast Mode.” In this case, the matchup pitting unheralded wide receiver Kayshon Boutte against Seattle Seahawks third cornerback Josh Jobe.
Boutte is likely to find himself matched up with Jobe whenever the Seahawks use three cornerbacks. Jobe often comes onto the field to defend the perimeter, so the owners of the NFL’s best defense can kick Pro Bowler Devon Witherspoon into the slot.
It’s a formidable combination, but there are three reasons why Boutte can dominate this battle at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, February 8. In the process, he’ll punish the Seahawks’ likely strategy to tilt their coverage toward Patriots go-to receiver Stefon Diggs.
Kayshon Boutte Can Boss Josh Jobe
Something will have to give when Boutte, a wideout adept at stretching defenses vertically, encounters Jobe, a corner who hasn’t given up many deep completions.
As former NFL safety Adam Archuleta detailed, “Jobe has given up only 5 go balls all year. In PRESS, he likes the 2-hand jam at the line, but it can cost him a step. In OFF coverage, he has a tendency to settle his feet on double moves—only 2 career INTs = low risk.”
Archuleta also pointed out how “Boutte has been a beast this year in contested situations—6 TDs on go balls. Drake’s not afraid—he tried Surtain, caught one on Stingley. IT’S COMING!!”
Jobe has given up only 5 go balls all year. In PRESS, he likes the 2-hand jam at the line, but it can cost him a step. In OFF coverage, he has a tendency to settle his feet on double moves—only 2 career INTs =
The reference to Jobe showing some vulnerabilities against double moves is the first indicator of how Boutte can win this matchup. There’s also Patriots.com Staff Writer Evan Lazar stating “the film says there are opportunities to go after Jobe, who has gotten lucky a few times by errant throws to open receivers. More specifically, the fourth-year CB will take the cheese on double moves, with receivers beating him over the top on stutter-and-gos.”
Jobe’s luck could be due to expire on Super Bowl Sunday. It’s a theory the Patriots must test to give Boutte the opportunity of being temporarily worthy of the “Beast Mode” nickname made famous by Seahawks great Marshawn Lynch.
That’s worth the risk, even if it means having star quarterback Drake Maye throw into the teeth of a Seahawks coverage scheme he hates.
Patriots Must Test Seahawks’ Deep Coverage
Maye needs to be patient to survive against Seattle’s preference for playing Cover 6, but the Patriots must still test the defense deep. Especially when the Los Angeles Rams showed how well that willingness can be rewarded.
NFL MVP Matthew Stafford produced “226 deep passing yards against Seattle in the NFC Championship Game, the third-highest mark in any game in the last decade,” according to Lazar.
Many of those yards came about when the Seahawks doubled Rams No. 1 receiver Puka Nacua and left Jobe isolated against Davante Adams. Lazar highlighted a “backside Go ball” to Adams and added the note, “paging Kayshon Boutte.”
A similar assessment was made by Ted Nguyen of The Athletic. He noted how Seattle’s “weakness could be its outside corners (Tariq Woolen and Josh Jobe). They aren’t true weaknesses, but they aren’t players you want to leave on an island too often against elite receivers.”
Boutte doesn’t qualify as elite, but he has a genuine rapport with Maye. A connection summed up by this 33-yard touchdown grab against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round.
Repeating this kind of special catch again will be tough for Boutte. Particularly when “the Seahawks allowed an explosive play on only 6.3% of targets to outside receivers, best in the league,” per Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis.
The Patriots might simply have to defy the numbers and let Maye trust Boutte to win deep. After all, it’s what he’s done in the big moments this season.
Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte Must Go ‘Beast’ Mode to Win Key Super Bowl Matchup