Backup signal‑caller Drew Lock stepped in and orchestrated two late scoring drives, while Seattle’s defense seized three interceptions from Drake Maye in the fourth quarter, allowing the Seahawks to rally past an early Sam Darnold hip injury and defeat the New England Patriots 13‑10 on Wednesday night. The matchup served as a nostalgic nod to the previous Super Bowl showdown, kicking off the 2026 NFL season with a dramatic home‑field victory for Seattle.
Seattle’s offense was virtually silent for the first three quarters, managing only a single field goal. The early setback came when Darnold, who had just taken the first snap, was hit hard on a third‑down sack by Dre'Mont Jones. The blow to his hip forced him out of the game after a brief stint in the medical tent and ultimately back to the locker room. With Darnold sidelined, the Seahawks turned to Lock, a quarterback who had thrown just three passes all season last year.
Lock’s entry did little to spark the offense immediately, and the Patriots held a 10‑0 lead at halftime. The Patriots’ scoring came from a combination of opportunistic play and a few fortunate breaks.
Early in the first half, a deep flea‑flicker intended for offseason acquisition A.J. Brown was disrupted by Seattle cornerback Josh Jobe, but the play still set up a short‑yard touchdown pass from Maye to rookie Eli Raridon, giving New England a 7‑0 edge. A roughing‑the‑punter penalty on Chazz Surratt at the start of the second half extended a Patriots drive, allowing Andy Borregales to nail a 50‑yard field goal and push the lead to 10‑0.
Seattle finally got on the board in the third quarter when Lock connected with Jaxon Smith‑Njigba on a 45‑yard pass on a fourth‑and‑one situation, following an interception by Nehemiah Pritchett. The field goal tied the game at 10‑10, and the momentum began to shift. The turning point arrived in the fourth quarter when Seattle’s defense, led by a ferocious pass rush, forced Maye into three costly mistakes.
After two early interceptions, Maye managed to drive the Patriots into the red zone with two successful fourth‑down conversions, positioning himself for a potential game‑tying or winning score. However, on a third‑and‑five from the 16‑yard line, Maye’s attempt to hit Mack Hollins fell incomplete as Jobe leapt into the end zone for a decisive interception.
The Seahawks capitalized on the turnover, and Julian Love added another pick on the ensuing Patriots possession. Jason Myers then slotted a 26‑yard field goal, giving Seattle a 13‑10 lead that would hold until the final whistle. The defensive stand in the closing minutes, highlighted by Jobe’s game‑sealing interception, underscored Seattle’s resilience and ability to win close games without their starter. Coach Mike Macdonald addressed Darnold’s injury after the game, confirming that medical staff had ruled out a fracture and described the diagnosis as “positive,” meaning the quarterback avoided any serious bone damage.
Darnold, the 2018 No. 3 overall pick who revitalized his career with the Vikings before returning to Seattle, had been a reliable presence last season, posting 4,048 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions en route to a Super Bowl victory. Smith‑Njigba praised Lock’s composure, noting that the team’s chemistry allowed them to trust each other’s abilities: “It’s tough losing Sam, but we have each other’s backs.
We fully trust Drew Lock to come in and do his thing, as he’s done time and time again.” Maye, reflecting on his three‑interception night, admitted his impatience cost New England: “I stopped being patient and forced throws that weren’t there. That was unacceptable and ultimately cost us the game.” His candid assessment highlighted the fine line between aggressive play‑calling and reckless decision‑making in high‑stakes moments. The game opened with a ceremonial raising of the Super Bowl banner and a highlight reel on the stadium’s video board, marking the third Week One Super Bowl rematch in league history—the previous one occurring in 2016 when Denver celebrated a title win over Carolina. The atmosphere shifted quickly from celebration to concern when Darnold limped off after the early sack, prompting fans to wonder about Seattle’s offensive prospects.
Despite the early offensive stagnation, Seattle’s defense proved decisive. The three interceptions accounted for the majority of the Patriots’ points, and the Seahawks’ special teams contributed a crucial field goal to seal the victory.
The win also gave Seattle a morale boost heading into a season that promises intense competition, especially with the NFL’s 2026 storylines—including Super Bowl predictions, MVP races, and emerging talent—already generating buzz. For fans wanting to follow the action, the 2026 NFL season will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with every playoff game and the upcoming Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, available via Sky Sports subscriptions or the contract‑free NOW streaming service.