Backup quarterback Drew Lock stepped in and engineered two decisive scoring drives in the fourth quarter, while Seattle’s defense intercepted New England quarterback Drake Maye three times after Sam Darnold left the game with a hip injury. The Seahawks ultimately prevailed over the Patriots, 13-10, in a dramatic opening‑night clash that echoed the previous year’s Super Bowl showdown. The contest began with Seattle’s offense sputtering.
Darnold, the team’s starter, suffered a painful hip strain on the very first drive after a hard third‑down sack by Dre'Mont Jones. He limped to the sideline, received treatment, and was eventually escorted to the locker room, leaving the Seahawks without their veteran signal‑caller.
In his absence, the backup unit, led by Lock—who had thrown only three passes all season— struggled to generate momentum, and the Seahawks managed only a single field goal through the first three quarters. New England took advantage early, capitalizing on a miscommunication between Seattle cornerback Josh Jobe and newly acquired wideout A.J. Brown on a deep flea‑flicker that set up a short touchdown pass from Maye to rookie Eli Raridon.
The Patriots added a second score in the second half when a roughing‑the‑punter penalty on Chazz Surratt gave them favorable field position, allowing Andy Borregales to nail a 50‑yard field goal. At the half‑mark, Seattle trailed 10‑0. The tide began to turn when the Seahawks finally found a rhythm. In the third quarter, Lock connected with Jaxon Smith‑Njigba on a 45‑yard strike on fourth‑and‑one, following an interception by Nehemiah Pritchett, tying the game at 10‑10.
The momentum shift was amplified by a series of defensive plays. On the Patriots’ next possession, Julian Love swooped in for another Maye interception, giving Seattle prime field position. Jason Myers then converted a 26‑yard field goal, putting the Seahawks ahead 13‑10. The final quarter turned into a defensive showdown.
Maye, who had been the Patriots’ offensive catalyst all night, attempted to rally his team with two successful fourth‑down conversions that moved New England deep into Seattle territory. However, his efforts unraveled on the final drive. With the ball at the Seattle 16‑yard line, Maye tried to hit Mack Hollins on a third‑and‑five play, but the pass fell incomplete as Jobe, positioned perfectly in the end zone, seized the ball for a game‑sealing interception.
Post‑game, Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that Darnold’s hip injury, while painful, did not involve a fracture. "We were able to rule out a break, and the diagnosis was positive for a strain," Macdonald explained.
Darnold, who threw for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season en route to a Super Bowl victory, missed only a handful of snaps due to the injury. Lock’s performance, though limited in passing volume, demonstrated poise under pressure.
His two late‑quarter drives highlighted his ability to execute in clutch situations, a stark contrast to his minimal role during the regular season. Smith‑Njigba praised his teammate, saying, "It’s tough losing Sam, but we trust Drew to step in and do his thing. We’ve got each other’s backs." Maye, reflecting on his own three‑interception night, admitted to losing patience in the closing moments.
"I tried to force a throw to Romeo after being patient earlier, and that decision cost us," he said. His candid assessment underscored the fine line between aggression and recklessness in high‑stakes football. The game also marked the third opening‑week Super Bowl rematch in NFL history, a tradition that began with the 2016 Denver‑Carolina matchup.
The ceremony featured the raising of the Super Bowl banner and a montage of highlights on the stadium’s video board, reminding fans of the recent championship legacy shared by both clubs. Looking ahead, the Seahawks will need to address the void left by Darnold’s injury while building on Lock’s unexpected heroics. Defensive coordinator’s emphasis on forcing turnovers paid dividends, and the secondary’s three interceptions could set the tone for Seattle’s identity this season.
For the Patriots, Maye’s turnover‑laden performance will be a focal point for improvement as they seek to rebound from a disappointing start. Fans can continue to follow the 2026 NFL season, including every playoff game and the upcoming Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, via Sky Sports or the contract‑free streaming service NOW.