The Seattle Seahawks opened their 2026 NFL regular season with a dramatic 13-10 comeback victory over the New England Patriots on September 9, 2026, at Lumen Field. The matchup was a rematch of Super Bowl LX, but this time Seattle again came out on top after overcoming a 10-point deficit. New England controlled much of the early action, yet Seattle’s defense delivered three fourth-quarter interceptions and Drew Lock guided two important scoring drives to complete the comeback.
The Patriots appeared to be in a strong position after taking a 10-0 lead, but the game changed dramatically in the second half. Seattle’s starting quarterback Sam Darnold left early with a hip injury, forcing Drew Lock into action. Lock eventually settled into the game and connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 45-yard touchdown. Jason Myers then kicked the winning field goal before Josh Jobe intercepted Drake Maye in the end zone with seconds remaining.
New England Patriots vs Seahawks Final Score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 13 |
The final score reflected how dramatically the momentum shifted. New England led 7-0 at halftime after scoring the game’s first touchdown, then extended the advantage to 10-0 early in the third quarter. Seattle responded with a field goal in the third and scored 10 points in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks finished the game with 13 unanswered points, turning what looked like a comfortable Patriots advantage into a narrow home victory.
Seattle’s 13-10 victory also gave the defending Super Bowl champions a winning start to their title defense. The Seahawks did not dominate statistically, but they made the most important plays when the game was on the line. Their defense forced three turnovers in the fourth quarter, while Lock produced the crucial touchdown drive. The Patriots had opportunities to tie or win the game late, but Seattle’s secondary repeatedly prevented New England from converting those chances.
Patriots vs Seahawks Team Stats
| Team Statistic | Patriots | Seahawks |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 277 | 285 |
| Yards per Play | 4.1 | 5.9 |
| Plays | 67 | 48 |
| Rushing Attempts | 31 | 22 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Time of Possession | 34:17 | 25:43 |
| Penalties | 7 | 10 |
| Penalty Yards | 50 | 98 |
The team statistics show that the Patriots actually had several advantages despite losing the game. New England ran 67 plays compared with Seattle’s 48 and held the ball for more than 34 minutes. However, the Patriots could not turn that control into enough points. Seattle averaged 5.9 yards per play, compared with 4.1 for New England, and most importantly finished the game without a turnover. Those efficiency and turnover differences ultimately decided a low-scoring contest.
The biggest statistical problem for New England was the three turnovers. Drake Maye threw three interceptions, all during the decisive fourth quarter, while Seattle protected the football throughout the game. The Seahawks also produced more total yards despite running considerably fewer plays. That combination allowed Seattle to survive a long-possession performance from the Patriots and finish with the victory. The final numbers demonstrate why turnover margin can be more influential than possession or total play volume.
Drake Maye vs Drew Lock Player Stats
| Player | Passing | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Maye, Patriots | 23/33, 178 yards | 1 | 3 |
| Drew Lock, Seahawks | 16/22, 187 yards | 1 | 0 |
Drake Maye completed 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown, but his three interceptions overshadowed an otherwise efficient passing performance. The Patriots quarterback played well enough for New England to build a 10-0 advantage, but his mistakes late in the contest changed the direction of the game. Maye threw interceptions on the Patriots’ final three possessions, with the final one coming in the end zone and ending New England’s last chance.
Drew Lock entered the contest after Sam Darnold’s early injury and eventually became one of the biggest reasons Seattle won. Lock completed 16 of 22 attempts for 187 yards and one touchdown without throwing an interception. His fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba tied the game at 10-10 and gave Seattle the momentum it needed. Lock did not need huge passing numbers; instead, he made the critical throws when the Seahawks had to respond.
Patriots Offensive Highlights
New England’s offense started confidently and produced the first touchdown of the night. Drake Maye connected with tight end Eli Raridon for a two-yard touchdown in the second quarter, giving the Patriots a 7-0 lead. Andy Borregales later converted a 50-yard field goal to make it 10-0 early in the third quarter. For much of the game, New England’s offensive plan worked effectively enough to control possession and keep Seattle’s offense under pressure.
Rhamondre Stevenson led the Patriots’ rushing attack with 18 carries for 51 yards and also caught five passes for 44 yards. Mack Hollins recorded four receptions for 51 yards, while A.J. Brown caught three passes for 26 yards before leaving with an ankle injury. Brown’s departure was especially significant because he had been brought in to strengthen New England’s passing attack. The injury reduced Maye’s options during the crucial final stages of the game.
Seahawks Offensive Highlights
Seattle’s offense faced an immediate setback when starting quarterback Sam Darnold exited with a right hip injury on the opening possession. Drew Lock took over and initially struggled to generate consistent scoring opportunities, but he eventually found his rhythm. The turning point arrived in the fourth quarter when Lock threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, cutting New England’s lead and bringing the Seahawks level at 10-10.
Smith-Njigba was Seattle’s leading receiver and one of the most important players on the field. He finished with eight receptions for 122 yards and one touchdown, including the explosive 45-yard score. Cooper Kupp added two receptions for 35 yards, while Brady Russell caught two passes for 20 yards. On the ground, Jadarian Price led Seattle with 52 rushing yards on 10 carries. The Seahawks relied on efficiency rather than volume throughout the comeback.
Fourth Quarter Comeback and Defensive Plays
Seattle’s fourth-quarter comeback was the defining story of the game. After Jason Myers kicked a field goal in the third quarter, the Seahawks entered the final period trailing 10-3. Lock then delivered the biggest offensive play of the night, finding Smith-Njigba for a 45-yard touchdown. Myers converted the extra point, tying the game at 10-10 and completely changing the atmosphere inside Lumen Field.
Seattle’s defense then finished what the offense started. The Seahawks intercepted Maye three times in the fourth quarter, with Julian Love and Nehemiah Pritchett making key plays before Josh Jobe produced the decisive end-zone interception. Myers added a 26-yard field goal with 5:53 remaining to put Seattle ahead 13-10. New England drove into scoring territory late, but Jobe’s interception with 21 seconds left secured the Seahawks’ comeback victory.
Match Highlights and Key Moments
| Quarter | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Q2 | Drake Maye connects with Eli Raridon for a 2-yard TD |
| Q3 | Andy Borregales makes a 50-yard field goal |
| Q3 | Jason Myers makes a 30-yard field goal |
| Q4 | Drew Lock finds Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 45-yard TD |
| Q4 | Jason Myers converts the go-ahead 26-yard field goal |
| Q4 | Josh Jobe intercepts Maye in the end zone |
The first half belonged largely to New England. The Patriots’ defense kept Seattle off the scoreboard through two quarters, while Maye helped produce the game’s only touchdown before halftime. New England then extended its lead to 10-0 with Borregales’ long field goal. At that stage, the Patriots looked capable of winning the rematch comfortably, particularly after Seattle lost its starting quarterback early in the contest.
The second half became a completely different game. Seattle’s defense increased the pressure on Maye, while Lock gradually became more comfortable operating the offense. The 45-yard touchdown to Smith-Njigba was the pivotal offensive moment, but the defensive turnovers ultimately proved even more important. Seattle’s secondary made three interceptions in the fourth quarter, allowing Myers’ field goal to become the winning score before Jobe ended the Patriots’ final drive.
Injuries and Their Impact
Injuries played an important role in the outcome. Seattle lost starting quarterback Sam Darnold early, forcing Drew Lock into the game much sooner than expected. Lock responded by completing 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, showing enough composure to guide Seattle through the fourth-quarter comeback. The Seahawks also had to adjust their offensive approach after losing their starting quarterback, but the change did not prevent them from producing the game’s decisive points.
The Patriots also suffered a significant injury when wide receiver A.J. Brown left with an ankle problem. Brown had three receptions for 26 yards before his exit and was expected to be an important part of New England’s passing game. The injury reduced the Patriots’ offensive firepower, while Seattle’s defensive pressure increased later in the contest. NFL reports subsequently indicated that Brown was expected to miss several weeks with a high ankle sprain, making his absence an important storyline beyond Week 1.
New England Patriots vs Seahawks Match Result
The Seahawks’ 13-10 victory was a remarkable opening-night comeback and another memorable chapter in the rivalry between these teams. Seattle trailed 10-0, lost its starting quarterback and struggled to score for much of the night, yet still found a way to win. Drew Lock’s fourth-quarter leadership, Smith-Njigba’s explosive touchdown and the defense’s three interceptions transformed the contest in Seattle’s favor. The Seahawks demonstrated the resilience that helped them win the Super Bowl the previous season.
For New England, the defeat will be remembered as a missed opportunity. The Patriots controlled possession, ran more plays and led by 10 points, but three fourth-quarter interceptions erased their advantage. Maye acknowledged that impatience contributed to the late mistakes, while the Patriots will also have to monitor Brown’s injury. Seattle, meanwhile, can take confidence from winning despite losing Darnold early. The final result was Seattle Seahawks 13, New England Patriots 10, with Seattle starting its championship defense on a winning note.
More Update SCORES365
