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Key Super Bowl intel through the lens of NFL Next Gen Stats

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Key Super Bowl intel through the lens of NFL Next Gen Stats


  • DJ Bien-AimeFeb 7, 2026, 06:00 AM ET

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      DJ Bien-Aime covers the Houston Texans for ESPN. He joined ESPN in July of 2022 after covering the New York Jets for the New York Daily News. He’s a former athlete who finished his college career at Louisville. You can catch DJ on ESPN Radio on his show “Talkin’ Texans.”

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Rewind to the beginning of September, when there were 32 NFL teams gearing up for a run to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California — home of Super Bowl LX.

Now, only two remain — with the Seattle Seahawks set to take on the New England Patriots on Sunday for the Lombardi Trophy.

The last time the Seahawks played the Patriots in a Super Bowl 11 years ago, Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson to effectively end the game, a play that would go down as one of the most memorable in Super Bowl history.

Most of the players from that game are retired, but the ripple effect remains.

This year’s Seahawks defense is similar to that 2014 Super Bowl team — with both teams allowing the fewest points in the NFL in the regular season. On the other side of the ball, Seattle has leaned throughout the playoffs on quarterback Sam Darnold, who has diced up defenses to the tune of a 122 passer rating.

For the Patriots, they are led by second-year quarterback Drake Maye. His regular-season success that led to him being an MVP finalist hasn’t fully translated to the postseason — where he has four touchdowns in three games and a 55% completion percentage, and he has also been sacked 15 times. In the regular season, Maye had 35 total touchdowns while leading the league in completion percentage (72%).

In the postseason, the Patriots defense has more than done its part. It has allowed 8.6 points per game in the playoffs — with the Los Angeles Chargers being the next closest team after giving up 16 points in their opening-round loss to New England.

Here’s a look at some NFL Next Gen Stats that could reveal what will decide the Super Bowl:

Darnold under pressure

Throughout the playoffs, the Patriots have generated pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Against the Houston Texans in the divisional round, quarterback C.J. Stroud went 2-of-16 passing for 13 yards with an interception when pressured.

In the wild-card round, the Patriots held Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert to three completions on eight attempts with six sacks. In the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos, quarterback Jarrett Stidham completed one pass for 4 yards on 10 attempts when under pressure.

Darnold, though, has avoided turnovers and remained poised under 21 pressured dropbacks through two postseason games. He has gone 7-of-16 for 117 yards and four touchdowns (five sacks). In the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams, he threw three touchdowns under pressure (5-of-11 for 102 yards).

It has been a completely different tale from the regular season, as Darnold committed a turnover on a league-high 7.2% of his pressured dropbacks — including six interceptions and five fumbles lost. The Patriots have generated four turnovers caused by pressure through three postseason games after causing three such turnovers during the regular season (third fewest).

But protecting Darnold has been effective. Despite facing the second-highest blitz rate this season (35.1%), the Seahawks allowed just a 29.2% pressure rate (fifth lowest) and 38 unblocked pressures (seventh fewest). Every Seahawks starting offensive lineman finished in the top 12 at their position in pressure-rate allowed.

Protecting Maye

Maye was sacked on five of his 11 pressured dropbacks in the AFC Championship Game, resulting in his second-highest pressure-to-sack rate in a game in his career (45.5%), trailing only his 62.5% rate in the divisional round against the Texans (eight pressures, five sacks).

Maye has been sacked 15 times this postseason, which is the most by any player to reach a Super Bowl since the AFL-NFL merger 1970. He has taken a sack on 48.4% of his pressured dropbacks this postseason, more than double his 20.3% rate during the regular season.

Patriots left tackle Will Campbell allowed five pressures on 30 pass blocks in the AFC Championship (16.7%) and has now allowed four or more pressures in every game this postseason. Campbell has been tasked with difficult matchups, going against both Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto (four pressures allowed) and Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (three pressures allowed, two sacks) 14 times each. Bonitto generated the second-highest pressure rate in the NFL during the regular season (20.2%, minimum 250 pass rushes) while Anderson ranked third highest (19.5%).

However, it won’t get easier against the Seattle defense which is ranked tied for seventh in sacks (47).

JSN’s dominance from all over the field

Having an answer for Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been tough for teams this season. The All-Pro wide receiver led the NFL in receiving yards (1,793); when aligned out wide, he also led the league with 1,378 yards after he led the league with 956 yards when aligned in the slot last season.

In the NFC Championship Game, Smith-Njigba totaled 153 receiving yards, including 105 from out wide, and he also caught his first career touchdown when aligned in the backfield. The Patriots will be on high alert trying to figure out where he is.

Smith-Njigba aligned out wide on 81.3% of snaps this season, but he was in the slot at a season-high 42.1% rate in the NFC Championship Game. This could be a factor if Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak decides to have his star receiver avoid All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

Key matchup: Pats jumbo vs. Seahawks’ nickel personnel

The Patriots’ offense has used jumbo personnel on 18.4% of its snaps since Week 11 (115 of 624, including the playoffs). New England scored a league-high 13 touchdowns from the grouping during the regular season, while averaging 6.1 yards per play (third most). The biggest beneficiary is Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson. He ran for 225 yards and scored four touchdowns on 23 carries out of jumbo sets this season.

Stevenson’s 9.8 yards per carry out of jumbo was a full three yards more than any other player in 2025, and the most by any player with at least 20 such carries in a season during the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016). The Patriots rushed for 10 touchdowns out of jumbo as a team, two more than any other offense (Steelers, eight).

The Seahawks rarely faced jumbo personnel throughout the regular season (26 plays, fourth lowest). But they matched jumbo looks with nickel personnel on 46.2% of those snaps.

More Maye

Maye’s downfield passes were among the best this season (10 or more air yards), leading the league with 112 completions while also posting a league-high 61.2% completion percentage. He also threw 19 touchdowns on downfield passes, tied with Darnold and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford for the most.

But in the playoffs, Maye is 9-of-26 on passes traveling over 10 yards (34%). If Maye can’t let it rip, expect him to run — as he recorded the third-most scramble yards this season with 423. He was especially effective when tucking to run on early downs.

On first- and second-down scramble rushes, Maye led the NFL with 46 carries, 330 yards and 16 first downs (tied for the most with Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes). His scramble run rate of 10.7% on early downs was actually higher than his 9.1% rate on third down, making him one of 14 qualified quarterbacks to take off and run more often on first and second down than third.





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BCB chief ‘arrives’ in Pakistan ahead of ICC meeting on India match boycott

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February 8, 2026

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BCB chief ‘arrives’ in Pakistan ahead of ICC meeting on India match boycott


BCB Chairman Aminul Islam (right) greets ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi (centre) ahead of the ACC Annual General Meeting in Dhaka on July 23, 2025. — BCB
  • BCB president to attend ICC’s meeting: sources.
  • Other board members likely to also attend emergency meeting.
  • Aminul Islam to also meet PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. 

LAHORE: In the aftermath of Pakistan’s announcement to boycott its T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam has arrived in Pakistan, sources said on Sunday.

During his stay in Pakistan, the BCB chief, sources added, will attend the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) emergency meeting later today, with other board members also expected to participate.

Islam will also meet Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi before departing for Dhaka, the sources said.

Meanwhile, an ICC delegation led by its deputy chairman is also due to reach Pakistan at 4:30pm, to discuss the situation arising after Pakistan’s boycott of India match.

The development comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s decision to boycott its World Cup match against India, scheduled for February 15, amid what the PCB has described as the ICC’s biased approach, with Bangladesh playing a central role in the dispute.

Tensions flared between the cricket boards of Bangladesh and India after Bangladesh’s star pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL) on the directions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), sparking outrage in Dhaka.

Later, the BCB requested the ICC to shift its matches outside India, but the international cricket body rejected the plea. Following the BCB’s firm stance, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament, saying it was not feasible to change the schedule so close to the February 7 start of the event.

Furthermore, the PCB has dismissed reports by Indian media claiming that it had offered dialogue to the ICC to resolve the issue surrounding its decision to forfeit the India match.

PCB spokesperson Amir Mir issued the rebuttal after Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta claimed that the PCB had reached out to the ICC for dialogue on the India-Pakistan World Cup game.

Any clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is one of the most lucrative fixtures in cricket, worth millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsorship and advertising revenue.

In commercial terms, the overall value of a single India-Pakistan T20 match is estimated at around $500 million, or approximately INR45,000 crore, when broadcast rights, advertising premiums, sponsorship activations, ticket sales and downstream commercial activity are taken into account.

According to a report, advertising slots during an India-Pakistan T20 match command between INR25 lakh and INR40 lakh for a 10-second spot, significantly higher than even knockout matches involving India against other top teams.

The most immediate financial impact would be felt by the official broadcast rights holder, as advertising revenue from the India-Pakistan match alone is estimated at around INR300 crore, the Indian publication cited industry projections as suggesting.

The BCB chief’s reported arrival in Pakistan is also being viewed in the context of earlier Indian media reports claiming that the ICC was seeking back-channel talks with the PCB and had tasked its deputy chairman Imran Khwaja, to engage with the Pakistani board on the issue.





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Chaos ensues at UNC-Duke game after fans storm court too early, evacuate for final 0.4 seconds

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February 8, 2026

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Chaos ensues at UNC-Duke game after fans storm court too early, evacuate for final 0.4 seconds


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Chapel Hill was buzzing just a bit too early Saturday night.

The 14th-ranked Tar Heels hit a 3-pointer in the closing seconds that everyone thought was a walk-off buzzer-beater over No. 4 Duke.

In their defense, the horn sounded, and the clock showed zeroes, so legions of Tar Heel blue stormed the court. Seth Trimble even did Stephen Curry’s “go to sleep” celebration after hitting nothing but net.

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North Carolina Tar Heels fans storm the floor after a win against the Duke Blue Devils at Dean E. Smith Center Feb. 7, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

However, officials reviewed the replay and decided to put 0.4 seconds back on the clock.

Hundreds of fans then had to clear the court, which had to be wiped down after food and drinks spilled everywhere.

Thankfully for them, the original court storm was not a jinx. Duke couldn’t handle the inbound pass, sealing a 71-68 victory for North Carolina.

It was UNC’s largest comeback win over Duke since 2001 after trailing by 13 points. The Tar Heels went on a 9-0 run over the final 2:25 and did not lead at any point until the final score.

UNC wins

North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble celebrates after defeating Duke at Dean E. Smith Center.  (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)

RICK PITINO TO ST. JOHN’S STAR ZUBY EJIOFOR: ‘YOU’RE GOING TO MAKE ME RETIRE’

House of Pain’s classic “Jump Around” then played over the loudspeaker after the second court storm, and the place continued to go berserk.

For what it’s worth, UNC will be fined at least $50,000 for breaking ACC court-storming rules. The $50,000 fine is for a first offense, and that amount doubles after a school’s second. Technically, fans stormed the court twice.

It was UNC’s first win over Duke since March 9, 2024, after Duke swept all three games last year, including the ACC tournament. The loss was just the second of Duke’s season, while UNC improved to 19-4.

Seth Trimble

Seth Trimble of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after making the game-winning shot against the Duke Blue Devils at Dean E. Smith Center Feb. 7, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

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Their next meeting will be at Cameron Indoor Stadium March 7.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





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PSL 11: Hyderabad team unveiled amid cricketing fanfare, celebrity turnout

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February 7, 2026

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PSL 11: Hyderabad team unveiled amid cricketing fanfare, celebrity turnout


PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and FKS owner Fawad Sarwar (centre) at the auction for the two new PSL teams at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad on January 8, 2026. — PSL

HYDERABAD: The official name and logo of the seventh Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise were unveiled on Saturday at a star-studded ceremony at Niaz Stadium, marking the team’s formal entry into the tournament.

The franchise, which was acquired by FKS Group for staggering Rs 1.75 billion at the historic auction at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad last month, has now been named ‘Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen’.

Besides the nomenclature, the logo of the team was also unveiled during the ceremony and was shared on the franchise’s official social media handles.

“The pitch has a new ruler. The game has a new power. Presenting the Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen,” the caption read. “Let our [PSL] reign begin.”

The development came the following day, the franchise announced signing five players, including Pakistan’s Saim Ayub and Marnus Labuschagne, leading into the historic players auction, scheduled to be held on February 11.

The Houston Kingsmen roped in Ayub for Rs126 million in the Platinum category, followed by Usman for Rs46.2 million in the Diamond, while Maaz and Akif were signed for Rs35 million and Rs19.6 million in the Emerging and Gold categories, respectively.

Labuschagne, on the other hand, joined Hyderabad as a direct signing for an undisclosed amount.

For the unversed, the franchise has also strengthened its coaching panel ahead of the historic edition by bringing in high-profile international names.

Former Pakistan red-ball head coach and Australian all-rounder Jason Gillespie will lead as head coach, with Grant Bradburn joining as fielding coach, Craig White as assistant coach, Hanif Malik as batting coach and Zac Martin taking charge of strength and conditioning.

The eleventh edition of the PSL will see a historic change as the traditional player draft has been replaced by a player auction, while the league itself expands to eight teams for the first time.

This expansion marks a significant milestone in PSL history, following the entry of Multan Sultans in Season 3, which increased the number of teams from five to six.

With the addition of Hyderabad and Sialkot, the league will now feature eight competing teams.





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