Backup signal‑caller Drew Lock stepped up in the closing minutes, engineering two scoring drives while the Seattle defense seized three interceptions from Drake Maye in the final quarter. Their efforts erased an early loss of starter Sam Darnold to a hip injury and secured a 13‑10 victory over the New England Patriots in Wednesday night’s opening‑week clash, a nostalgic nod to the previous Super Bowl encounter.
Seattle’s offense sputtered for most of the game, managing only a single field goal through the first three quarters. The early setback came when Darnold, who had taken the first snap, was tackled hard on a third‑down sack by Dre'Mont Jones and collapsed with a hip complaint. He was escorted to the medical tent, examined, and ultimately sent to the locker room, leaving the Seahawks to rely on Lock, a player who had thrown a mere three passes all season last year. Lock’s first few series mirrored the team’s overall rhythm – conservative, short‑yardage attempts that failed to generate momentum.
The Patriots, meanwhile, capitalized on a deep flea‑flicker play that saw A.J. Brown forced out of bounds by Seattle defender Josh Jobe, allowing Drake Maye to connect with rookie Eli Raridon for a two‑yard touchdown. That put New England up 7‑0, the only score of the first half. The second quarter saw a roughing‑the‑punter penalty on Patriots linebacker Chazz Surratt, giving Seattle favorable field position and setting up a 50‑yard field‑goal attempt by Andy Borregales, though the kick missed, keeping the score unchanged.
The Patriots added a second field goal after a disciplined drive, extending their lead to 10‑0 heading into halftime. Seattle finally got on the board in the third quarter when Lock’s modest drive culminated in a 30‑yard field goal by veteran kicker Jason Myers. The momentum shift began when Seahawks safety Nehemiah Pritchett intercepted Maye, granting the offense a fresh set of downs.
Lock then delivered a precise 45‑yard strike to wide receiver Jaxon Smith‑Njigba on a critical fourth‑and‑one, tying the game at 10‑10. The decisive moment arrived late in the fourth quarter.
Maye, determined to reclaim the lead, guided the Patriots into the red‑zone on two consecutive fourth‑down conversions. However, his composure unraveled on a third‑and‑five play from the 16‑yard line. Targeting Mack Hollins, Maye’s throw lacked the necessary velocity and placement, allowing Seattle defensive back Josh Jobe to step into the end zone and snatch the ball for an interception that effectively sealed the win. Earlier in the quarter, Seattle’s defense had already turned the tide.
After the initial interception, Julian Love stripped the ball from Maye on the very next drive, giving the Seahawks a short field. Myers converted a 26‑yard field goal, nudging Seattle ahead 13‑10. The defense then held firm on the Patriots’ final possession, forcing a three‑and‑out and preserving the lead.
Post‑game, head coach Mike Macdonald addressed Darnold’s injury, confirming that imaging had ruled out a fracture and labeling the situation “positive” in the sense that the quarterback avoided any broken bones. Darnold, who posted 4,048 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in the previous season en route to a Super Bowl championship, expressed disappointment at missing his first start with Seattle but remained optimistic about his recovery.
Wide receiver Jaxon Smith‑Njigba echoed the team’s resolve, saying, “It’s tough losing Sam, he’s the leader of our group, but we’ve got each other’s backs. We trust Drew Lock to come in and do his thing; he’s proven that many times before.” Maye, reflecting on his own performance, admitted his impatience cost New England dearly. He explained, “I tried to force a throw to Romeo after being patient for so long, and that decision led to the turnover.
I wasn’t patient enough, and it cost us the game.” His candid assessment highlighted the thin line between aggression and recklessness at the highest level of competition. The game opened with a ceremonial raising of the Super Bowl banner and a montage of highlights, underscoring the historic nature of the matchup. This was the third Week 1 Super Bowl rematch in NFL history, the previous one occurring in 2016 when the Denver Broncos celebrated a title win over the Carolina Panthers.
Overall, the Seahawks demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity, turning a potentially demoralizing injury into a rallying point. Their defense, buoyed by three critical interceptions, compensated for an offense that struggled to find rhythm without its starter.
The victory not only gave Seattle a positive start to the 2026 campaign but also sent a clear message to the rest of the league: the team can adapt and win even when key players are sidelined. Fans can continue to follow the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, which will broadcast every playoff game and the upcoming Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027. Options include a traditional Sky Sports subscription or a contract‑free stream through NOW, ensuring that supporters have multiple avenues to catch all the action as the season unfolds.