New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks: Week 1 Game Guide (2026)

The New England Patriots opened Week 1 with a 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, and the clearest box-score explanation is the turnover gap. New England quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions in a game decided by three points. Seattle’s three takeaways, combined with more efficient quarterback production and a 10-point fourth quarter, gave the Seahawks enough to overcome a game in which the Patriots allowed only 13 points. The quarter-by-quarter scoring shows how close New England came. Neither team scored in the first quarter, and the Patriots produced the only seven points of the second to take a 7-0 halftime advantage. Both teams added three points in the third, leaving New England ahead 10-3 entering the fourth. The Patriots did not score again, while Seattle posted 10 fourth-quarter points to finish in front. With no play-by-play supplied, the evidence does not establish the order of individual scoring plays or a specific game-sealing moment. Maye completed 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown, but the three interceptions pulled his passer rating down to 54.9. His 69.7 percent completion rate was respectable, yet the Patriots averaged only 5.4 yards per pass attempt. Maye was also sacked three times for 10 lost yards. The encouraging counterpoint was his work as a runner: he gained 47 yards on seven carries, averaged 6.7 yards per attempt and had a long run of 16 yards. New England distributed the ball broadly without producing a dominant receiving line. Mack Hollins led the Patriots with 51 yards on four receptions, including a 19-yard long. Rhamondre Stevenson supplied five catches for 44 yards on six targets, while A.J. Brown and Hunter Henry each recorded three receptions for 26 yards. DeMario Douglas caught five passes but gained only 20 yards, and Romeo Doubs was held without a catch on three targets. Rookie tight end Eli Raridon accounted for Maye’s touchdown with his only reception, a two-yard gain. The conventional running game did not provide enough efficiency to offset the passing turnovers. Stevenson carried 18 times for 51 yards, an average of 2.8 per attempt, with a long of 12. Corey Kiner added 11 yards on six carries. Maye was New England’s most efficient listed runner, but quarterback rushing and steady backfield production are not interchangeable. Based on the supplied lines, the Patriots received useful all-purpose work from Stevenson—95 combined rushing and receiving yards—but limited output per carry. Seattle’s passing game was more productive on fewer attempts. Drew Lock completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt with a 113.3 rating. Sam Darnold also appeared, completing one of two passes for 13 yards without a turnover. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was the game’s leading receiver by a wide margin, catching eight of 11 targets for 122 yards and a touchdown. His 45-yard long reception was also substantially longer than New England’s longest listed catch. The Patriots’ defense nevertheless kept the score within reach and generated some pressure. Dre'Mont Jones recorded one sack, one tackle for loss and four quarterback hits. Rookie Gabe Jacas added a sack, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit, while Christian Barmore contributed another hit. Robert Spillane led the listed New England defenders with eight tackles, seven solo. The main defensive blemish in the supplied statistics was Smith-Njigba’s 122-yard performance, which accounted for most of Seattle’s listed receiving production. Seattle’s defense supplied the game’s defining statistical advantage. Julian Love, Nehemiah Pritchett and Josh Jobe each intercepted Maye, with Pritchett returning his pick 30 yards. Seattle also sacked Maye three times, one each credited to Derick Hall, Drake Thomas and Leonard Williams. That combination of interceptions and pressure helps explain why New England’s completion total did not translate into more than 10 points. Special teams were solid on both sides. Andy Borregales made his only field-goal attempt from 50 yards and converted his extra point. Mitch Wishnowsky placed three of four punts inside the 20. Seattle’s Jason Myers made both field-goal attempts and his extra point, while Michael Dickson also put three punts inside the 20. For the Patriots, the takeaway is direct: the defense and kicking game supported a low-scoring contest, but three interceptions, modest passing gains and an inefficient lead rushing line left too little margin in a three-point defeat.

• Drake Maye completed 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, but his three interceptions matched New England’s final margin of defeat.
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba led Seattle with eight catches for 122 yards, a touchdown and a 45-yard long reception.
• Dre'Mont Jones produced one sack and four quarterback hits, while Andy Borregales converted a 50-yard field goal for New England.