-
Mike Reiss
Close
Mike Reiss
ESPN Staff Writer
- Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.
Multiple Authors
SEATTLE — In one way, this NFL season began the same way the last one ended, with the Seattle Seahawks’ defense making life miserable for Drake Maye. This time, though, it was Drew Lock leading the Seahawks to a 13-10 win over the New England Patriots Wednesday night at Lumen Field in a rematch of Super Bowl LX.
After Sam Darnold went down on the opening possession with a right hip injury, the Seahawks’ QB2 stepped up. Lock threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Jason Myers followed with a go-ahead field goal and Mike Macdonald’s defense slammed the door, with cornerback Josh Jobe picking off Maye in the end zone — as New England was in position to kick the tying field goal — for Seattle’s third interception of the night.
Macdonald said postgame that the Seahawks got “great news” on Darnold, who appears to have avoided a fracture. Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Darnold was at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle undergoing a CT scan on his hip. The initial test was encouraging but inconclusive, and Darnold now is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday.
Here are the most important things to know for both teams:
What to make of Drew Lock’s performance: Lock went 16-of-22 for 187 yards and one TD. He played as well as the Seahawks could have expected — maybe better — considering he was pressed into action early. He kept the ball out of harm’s way and made big-time throws, including a 21-yard strike to Jaxon Smith-Njigba that nearly converted a third-and-22. New coordinator Brian Fleury showed faith in his backup quarterback by opting against a tush push with tight end AJ Barner on the fourth-and-1 play that resulted in Lock’s touchdown pass to Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks did not help Lock out with three false-start penalties.
Trend to watch: As expected, the Seahawks went with a committee approach in their backfield. Rookie first-round pick Jadarian Price led the way, flashing explosiveness while gaining 52 yards on 10 carries. He might have gotten more work if not for the offensive penalties that forced Seattle into passing situations. George Holani gained 29 yards on eight carries, and Emanuel Wilson added 3 yards on two attempts. This is how the work figures to be split for at least the first four games while Zach Charbonnet begins the season on the physically unable to perform list.
Most surprising performance: Cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett’s fourth-quarter interception on a tipped pass got the Seahawks the ball for what would be their tying touchdown drive. He had an earlier pass breakup as well. The third-year pro is serving as the Seahawks’ No. 3 corner, which has looked like the biggest question mark on a defense that allowed the fewest points in the NFL last season. He’ll face competition for that job from Trevon Diggs and potentially Terrion Arnold (who’s on the commissioner’s exempt list) as well. But plays like that one will keep him in the starting lineup.
Next game: at Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, Sept. 20, at 4:25 p.m. ET)
Wide receiver A.J. Brown was knocked out of the game in the third quarter with a right ankle injury, taking away quarterback Drake Maye’s No. 1 option and creating uncertainty about how long the team might be without him.
Maye missed him greatly, with the Patriots losing a 10-0 lead as the Seahawks fed off two Maye interceptions and then sealed the game with a third. The first pick came when Maye threw downfield to Romeo Doubs while giving the receiver a chance to climb the ladder, something he had shown a knack for in training camp. Doubs later had a costly drop on a play that would have gone for a first down but instead was followed by Maye’s second interception when he was looking for receiver Pop Douglas over the middle on third-and-14.
The Seahawks scored on the ensuing drive both times — with a touchdown and a field goal. Then they closed out the game with the final pick.
What to make of Maye’s performance: He threw multiple interceptions, which is rare. He had only one game last season (including playoffs) in which he threw two interceptions — the Super Bowl vs. the Seahawks. The Patriots played it conservatively early, as he had just one pass traveling more than 10 air yards in the first half, according to ESPN Analytics tracking. Maye’s other 11 throws traveled a combined 15 air yards. That might have been designed, in part, to protect the offensive line. Two of Maye’s interceptions in the second half were on downfield throws.
Most surprising performance: Doubs. The Patriots signed the former Packers receiver to a four-year, $68 million contract as a free agent in the offseason, and he was involved in two critical plays that hurt the team — Maye’s first interception and a dropped pass when he was open to convert a first down that preceded the second pick. The Patriots needed Doubs to deliver after Brown left the game with a right ankle injury early in the third quarter.
Stat to know: Rookie tight end Eli Raridon, who scored the opening touchdown of the NFL season on a 2-yard pass from Maye, did not score a TD in 12 games with Notre Dame last season.
Next game: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. ET)
