Patriots crumble in second half, lose season opener at Seattle
Seahawks edge Patriots 13‑10 in season‑opening rematch
SEATTLE – The Seattle Seahawks won the season opener against the New England Patriots 13‑10 on Wednesday night, after the defense capitalized on a trio of interceptions and the offense finished off a late drive led by rookie quarterback Drew Lock. The win came in the same venue and on the same night as the 2026 Super Bowl, which the Seahawks celebrated with a banner‑raising ceremony before the game.
A shaky start
The game began with the Patriots moving the ball early. A deep flea‑flicker from rookie quarterback Drew Maye found A.J. Brown for a touchdown, giving New England a 7‑0 lead. On the next play, Maye found rookie Eli Raridon for a 2‑yard run that extended the advantage to 10‑0. A roughing‑the‑punter penalty on the Patriots’ opening drive of the second half set up a 50‑yard field goal by Andy Borregales, tying the score at 10‑10.
Seattle’s offense, however, struggled after Sam Darnold left the field with a hip injury on the first drive. Darnold was limping after a third‑down sack by Dre’Mont Jones and was taken to the medical tent before returning to the locker room. The Seahawks were held to a single field goal in the first three quarters.
Lock’s late surge
Drew Lock, who had thrown only three passes in 2019, entered the game in the third quarter. He led two late drives that gave Seattle the advantage it needed. His most memorable play came on fourth and one in the fourth quarter, when he hit Jaxon Smith‑Njigba for a 45‑yard touchdown pass, tying the game again at 10‑10. “We knew coming in it was going to be a four‑quarter game and that’s who we are,” Smith‑Njigba said after the game. “We’re going to keep fighting until the clock hits triple zero.”
A 26‑yard field goal by Jason Myers later gave the Seahawks a 13‑10 lead that would hold.
Defensive dominance
The Seahawks’ defense was the decisive factor. Nehemiah Pritchett, Julian Love, and Josh Jobe each recorded interceptions against Maye. Love’s pick on the drive that set up Myers’ field goal, and Jobe’s end‑zone interception that sealed the win, were highlighted by a “toe‑tapping” play. After the second pick, Maye admitted it was “unacceptable,” noting he had not “put enough on it to get it out.”
Coach Mike Macdonald praised the team’s composure. “We didn’t panic. We still liked our plan. We didn’t need to change what we were doing,” Macdonald said. “The guys were just excited to play.”
Drew Lock was upbeat about his contribution. “It was a blast… proud of everyone on offense,” Lock said. “I can’t say enough about the defense turning over the ball.”
Injuries and roster notes
New England’s A.J. Brown left the game with a right ankle injury in the third quarter and did not return. Seattle ruled defensive end Nick Emmanwori inactive before kickoff. No other major injuries were reported for either team.
Looking ahead
The Patriots will host Pittsburgh on September 20, while the Seahawks head to Arizona the same day for their next matchup. The win marks the Seahawks’ third consecutive season‑opening victory in a Super Bowl rematch, a feat last seen in 2016 when Denver beat Carolina in a Week 1 showdown.
The 13‑10 result leaves the Seahawks looking to carry the momentum from the celebratory banner‑raising night into a season that promises plenty more drama and defensive fireworks.
