Backup quarterback Drew Lock stepped in and orchestrated two late scoring drives, while the Seattle Seahawks’ defense intercepted Drake Maye three times in the fourth quarter, allowing the team to rally from an early Sam Darnold injury and defeat the New England Patriots 13-10 on Wednesday night. The contest served as a nostalgic Super Bowl rematch to kick off the 2026 NFL season. Seattle’s offense was stifled for most of the game, managing only a single field goal through the first three quarters. Darnell’s hip injury on the opening drive forced him out after a third‑down sack by Dre'Mont Jones, and he was promptly escorted to the medical tent before returning to the locker room.
With the starter sidelined, Lock—who threw just three passes last season—took the helm, but the Seahawks struggled to generate momentum until the final period. The Patriots, meanwhile, found the end zone early.
After a deep flea‑flicker attempt that was disrupted by Seattle defensive back Josh Jobe, rookie quarterback Drake Maye connected with rookie Eli Raridon for a two‑yard touchdown, giving New England a 7‑0 lead. A roughing‑the‑punter penalty on Chazz Surratt at the start of the second half set up Andy Borregales for a 50‑yard field goal, extending the Patriots’ advantage to 10‑0. Seattle finally got on the board in the third quarter with a modest field goal, but the game remained out of reach until the fourth quarter. Following an interception by Nehemiah Pritchett, Lock found Jaxon Smith‑Njigba on a dramatic 45‑yard pass on a fourth‑and‑one situation, tying the game at 10‑10.
The momentum shift was amplified when Julian Love intercepted Maye on the next drive, positioning the Seahawks for a go‑ahead score. Jason Myers capped the drive with a 26‑yard field goal, giving Seattle a 13‑10 lead.
The Patriots had one final opportunity to retake the lead. Maye, who had successfully converted two crucial fourth‑down conversions earlier, attempted to drive his team into the red zone.
On a third‑and‑five from the 16‑yard line, he looked for Mack Hollins but over‑threw the ball, allowing Jobe to step into the end zone and secure an interception that sealed Seattle’s victory. Post‑game, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that Darnold’s hip injury was not a fracture, describing the diagnosis as “positive” and reassuring fans that the quarterback’s condition was stable.
Darnold, the 2018 third‑overall pick who revived his career with the Vikings before joining Seattle, had a robust 2023 season, throwing for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions en route to a Super Bowl win. Lock’s performance, while modest in passing volume, demonstrated poise under pressure. His ability to execute the crucial fourth‑and‑one play and manage the clock in the closing minutes highlighted the depth of Seattle’s quarterback roster.
Wide receiver Smith‑Njigba praised Lock’s composure, noting the team’s mutual trust: “We fully trust Drew Lock to come in and do his thing, he’s done it time and time again. We just have each other’s backs.” Maye, reflecting on his three‑interception night, admitted to losing patience in the final drive. He explained that his attempts to force a pass to Romeo Crennel and his failure to locate Mack Hollins resulted in costly mistakes. “I stopped being patient and made decisions that ended up costing us the game,” he said, acknowledging the self‑inflicted nature of the loss.
The game opened with a ceremony honoring the previous Super Bowl, featuring the raising of the championship banner and a montage of highlights on the video board. This marked the third Super Bowl rematch in a Week One opener, a rarity last seen in 2016 when the Denver Broncos celebrated their title with a victory over the Carolina Panthers. Looking ahead, the 2026 NFL season promises a host of storylines, from Super Bowl predictions to MVP races. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, which will broadcast every playoff game and the upcoming Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027.
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