The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t in the Super Bowl this year, but they know what it takes to get there. Star quarterback Joe Burrow as well as wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins led the team to “The Big Game” in the 2021 campaign, and Higgins gave advice to the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots before they face off for the title on Feb. 8, via Pro Football Network’s Alex Kennedy.
“My advice would be to soak in the moment because you’re not promised to play in that game ever again, you know what I mean?” The 2025 Pro Bowler said. “So soak in the moment, enjoy the atmosphere, but once the clock starts, just be you. Be yourself and play your game.”
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. © Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Higgins reached the Super Bowl in just his second NFL season after the Bengals selected him No. 33 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. They also picked Burrow No. 1 in the same draft.
Higgins logged 74 catches for 1,091 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2021 before adding 309 yards and two scores over the postseason. The former Clemson Tiger scored both of those touchdowns in the Super Bowl, but Cincinnati lost 23-20 to the Los Angeles Rams.
Conversely, the Seahawks beat the Rams 31-27 in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 25 this year. Seattle escaped with the win despite Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford logging 374 yards and three touchdowns. Stafford also had three scores against Cincinnati in the Super Bowl, but Sam Darnold and Seattle did what the Bengals couldn’t.
The Seahawks have a good chance against the Patriots if they “be themselves,” as Higgins suggested. They finished second to the Rams with 29.2 points per game in the regular season as well as first with 17.1 points allowed.
At the same time, facing New England won’t be a walk in the park. The Patriots were tied for second with 17.3 points allowed per game eighth with 27.2 points scored. Like the Bengals in 2021, they have a rising second-year star quarterback in Drake Maye, who led the NFL with a 77.1 QBR in the regular season.
On the other hand, Seattle has the skill-position advantage. Superstar wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba won the receiving title in the regular season, while veteran wideout Cooper Kupp has nine catches for 96 yards and a touchdown over two playoff games thus far. Furthermore, running back Kenneth Walker has four rushing touchdowns in the playoffs and is averaging 4.7 yards-per-carry.
The Seahawks have the advantage on paper if Darnold and company establish the run early, take care of the ball and execute big plays when necessary. However, the Patriots haven’t allowed more than 16 points in a game since Dec.
The game will be at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock and will be played at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco.
