Seattle Seahawks vs New England Patriots opened the NFL season with the defending champions erasing a 10-0 deficit to win 13-10 in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl.
It was the first time in a decade the league kicked off with a Super Bowl reprise, and the Seahawks’ defense, nicknamed the Dark Side, again proved decisive after Seattle lost starting quarterback Sam Darnold to a hip injury on the opening drive at Lumen Field.
New England struck first, building a 10-0 advantage, with rookie tight end Eli Raridon scoring the season’s first touchdown in the second quarter.
Backup quarterback Drew Lock steadied Seattle late in the third quarter, leading a drive capped by a Jason Myers field goal to trim the margin.
Momentum turned early in the fourth. Cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett collected his first career interception after a Drake Maye pass was tipped by rookie Rodney Thomas.
On the next series, Lock spotted Jaxon Smith-Njigba in space, and last season’s offensive player of the year burst through the Patriots defense for a 45-yard touchdown.
Safety Julian Love then intercepted Maye, setting up Myers for a 26-yard field goal that put Seattle ahead.
With 21 seconds remaining, New England advanced well within field-goal range. The Patriots opted to chase a winning touchdown rather than play for overtime, but Maye’s throw toward Mack Hollins was intercepted in the end zone by Josh Jobe.
Maye had only one multi-interception game last season, the Super Bowl, and he was picked off on each of the Patriots’ final three possessions in the opener. “You can’t throw three interceptions. Drake knows that,” head coach Mike Vrabel said.
Maye called his late interception “unacceptable,” adding, “We could have sent it to overtime at the worst, and the only thing I could do was turn the ball over.”
Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald said initial testing indicated Darnold did not suffer a hip fracture.
Seattle Seahawks vs New England Patriots sets tone for Week One
Week one continues with the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia. The Los Angeles Rams face the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne on Thursday at 01:35 BST on Friday.
New England’s offseason also included a landmark deal for young cornerbacks, as highlighted by Christian Gonzalez contract sets new Patriots, CB pay records.
The league’s international expansion follows years of overseas showcases, including previous regular-season games coordinated through the NFL’s international series program.