Five Seahawks with the most at stake in Super Bowl LX

As Sunday's meeting between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots quickly approaches (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock), some players and coaches will be under the spotlight more than others.

With that in mind, here are five Seahawks with the most at stake in Super Bowl LX.

5. Head coach Mike Macdonald

Alongside quarterbacks, it is no secret that coaches are judged on their success more than anyone else in the league. Macdonald, the 38-year-old defensive-minded coach who spent his first nine seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, is no different.

Macdonald is one win away from leading Seattle to Super Bowl glory in Year 2 with - to no surprise - the league's best scoring defense (17.1 PPG). Sure, a loss in the Super Bowl would not diminish what he has accomplished to get here. However, if he can win his first Super Bowl at just 38 years of age, it would be hard to deny that he is one of the best coaches in the league right now.

4. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence

Lawrence, the 33-year-old veteran who recently stated, "I know for sure I'm not gonna win a Super Bowl there" when referring to the Dallas Cowboys, signed a three-year deal with the Seahawks in March.

The former Cowboy, who spent his first 11 seasons in Dallas, only won three total playoff games with the franchise and never even reached the Super Bowl. Lawrence has been key to Seattle's success with team-highs in tackles for loss (11), forced fumbles (three) and fumble recoveries (three) as he looks to back up his words toward his former team.

3. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Smith-Njigba led the league in receiving yards (1,793) during the regular season, and he has clearly emerged as one of the top receivers in the NFL, especially when you consider other talented wideouts like Ja'Marr Chase, Puka Nacua and Justin Jefferson are also still searching for their first Super Bowl win.

If Smith-Njigba, the third-year receiver out of Ohio State, adds Super Bowl champion to his accolades and potentially a Super Bowl MVP, which he is more than capable of winning, he would have a case for the league's best receiver after just three seasons.

2. Running back Kenneth Walker III

Walker has thrived in an increased role during the playoffs following teammate Zach Charbonnet's season-ending left ACL tear during the divisional round win over the San Francisco 49ers.

With 256 total yards from scrimmage and four TDs between both games, Walker has been key to Seattle's offensive success as he heads into the offseason as a free agent. How he performs in the Super Bowl could determine if he gets a contract extension or is rewarded elsewhere.

1. Quarterback Sam Darnold

How can this be anyone but Darnold, the 28-year-old former No. 3 overall pick who is constantly facing criticism and being doubted in high-pressure situations despite committing zero turnovers so far this postseason?

After being labeled a bust after turnover-filled seasons with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, serving as the backup for the 49ers and getting traded after leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-win season, Darnold can put the finishing touches on his redemption arc.