Can Patriots Front Seven Contain Russell Wilson? 

This might be news to some people, but no team in the NFL is capable of stopping Russell Wilson. You can only hope to contain or slow him down. What will be key in determining New England’s chances at upsetting Seattle — they are underdogs, according to most oddsmakers — is if the Patriots’ front seven is able to put enough pressure on Wilson to make him strictly a pocket passer. 

That’s obviously not to say that the six-time Pro Bowler isn’t capable of breaking down a defense from the pocket, but we all know that he’s one of (if not the) most unstoppable weapon in the NFL once he avoids pressure and asks his receivers to improvise following their designed routes. Outside of Aaron Rodgers, we can’t think of a quarterback in the game today who is more deadly on the run, whether it be rolling out to the right or left side of the field. 

The Patriots’ front seven isn’t the same monster it was last year as they lost several starters to both free agency and player opt outs. While we know what New England’s secondary will offer, there’s so much unknown about the defensive line and linebacking corps. 

Their front seven is young and talented, but most of them have virtually zero experience playing against a gunslinger with Wilson’s superstar attributes. Going from playing Ryan Fitzpatrick to a potential MVP candidate will require a massive adjustment and we just don’t know if the Patriots’ pass rush is up for it at this point in the young season. 

If that doesn’t make this an X-Factor to watch for, we don’t know what is.