Seahawks Survive Patriots in NFL Kickoff Game
On September 9, 2026, the National Football League began its season with a Super Bowl rematch. The reigning champions, the Seattle Seahawks, faced the runners-up, the New England Patriots.
The game looked bad for Seattle from the beginning. At the end of the Seattle Seahawks’ drive, the two‑time Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold was sacked by New England Patriots defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones and landed with a hip injury. Sam Darnold left the game and was ruled out for the rest of the match. Then, the journeyman backup quarterback Drew Lock stepped in.
With a key piece of Seattle’s offense missing, Seattle’s defense had to shoulder the burden. And they did the most they could. The Seahawks held the Patriots to just 10 points, but the offense couldn’t get anything going. The third quarter ended 10-3, and it looked like the game was moving toward a victory for New England.
Then everything shifted.
Early in the fourth quarter, Patriots QB Drake Maye threw an interception. Drew Lock then connected with Jaxon Smith‑Njigba for a 45‑yard touchdown, tying the score at 10. Drake Maye threw another interception on the New England Patriots drive right into the hands of Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love caught it. The Seattle Seahawks then jumped ahead to 13-10 with a 26‑yard field goal by Jason Myers.
New England still had one opportunity.
Drake Maye and the New England Patriots marched all the way to the Seattle Seahawks’ 16‑yard line with 32 seconds left. A field goal would tie the game. But on the final down, Drake Maye threw toward the end zone, but Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe grabbed the ball in a toe‑tapping interception, sealing the win.
The Seahawks overcame a deficit by putting up 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. They began their season with a 1‑0 record while the New England Patriots dropped to 0‑1. It was a finish to the first game of the National Football League season, and it was not the ending New England Patriots fans had been hoping for.
Image Courtesy of Mike Morris on Wikimedia Commons.
What a dramatic season opener! Seattle’s defense really came through when the offense was struggling, and those late interceptions made the finish especially exciting. Drew Lock’s touchdown connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a huge momentum shift, while Josh Jobe’s final interception sealed an unforgettable comeback. For readers exploring local businesses and services, HelloSays is another resource worth checking out.