Seattle Seahawks’ Defense delivers comeback win over Patriots
SEATTLE, Wa. (KTVZ)-- The Seattle Seahawks opened the NFL season with a comeback victory, defeating the New England Patriots 13-10 in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl.
Seattle entered the matchup as the favorite and celebrated its championship before kickoff, but the Seahawks immediately faced adversity when starting quarterback Sam Darnold left the game after taking a sack on the opening drive. Darnold was ruled out with a hip injury, forcing Drew Lock into action.
Neither team scored in the opening quarter, but New England broke through in the second. Drake Maye capped a 77-yard drive by connecting with Eli Raridon for a touchdown, giving the Patriots a 7-0 advantage at halftime.
The teams traded field goals in the third quarter, leaving New England with a 10-3 lead heading into the final period.
That is when Seattle’s defense and offense came alive.
Nehemiah Pritchett intercepted Maye early in the fourth quarter, giving the Seahawks an opportunity to cut into the deficit. Seattle took advantage when Lock found Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a fourth-and-1 play. Smith-Njigba turned the short opportunity into a 45-yard touchdown, tying the game at 10.
Maye threw another interception on New England’s next possession, with Julian Love coming away with the takeaway. Seattle turned that mistake into a Jason Myers field goal, taking its first lead of the night at 13-10.
The Patriots had one final chance to respond, but Seattle’s defense came through once again. Maye threw his third interception of the game in the end zone, allowing the Seahawks to run out the clock and secure the victory.
Smith-Njigba was a major part of Seattle’s comeback, finishing with eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. Lock completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown after taking over for Darnold.
Maye finished the night with 178 passing yards and a touchdown, but his three interceptions ultimately proved costly for New England.
Seattle begins the season 1-0 and will travel to face the Arizona Cardinals on September 20.
Following the game, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said the team received encouraging initial news regarding Darnold’s injury, with further testing expected to determine the quarterback’s status.
