3 things we learned from Seahawks’ opening win over Patriots

SEATTLE – Despite losing Sam Darnold to an injury on the opening series, the Seattle Seahawks rallied for a 13-10 win over the New England Patriots in a season-opening Super Bowl rematch on Wednesday night.

Seahawks beat Pats: Turning points | Instant reaction | Darnold update

Here are three things we learned from a thrilling start to the 2026 NFL season.

Despite injuries, Hawks’ secondary up to task

The Seahawks were missing starting safeties Nick Emmanwori and Ty Okada, who both were sidelined with injuries. No matter. Seattle’s depleted secondary rose to the occasion and swung the game with three fourth-quarter interceptions of Drake Maye.

Rodney Thomas II, who was elevated off the practice squad to start in Okada’s place, tipped a deep pass into the air that Nehemiah Pritchett corralled for the first pick. Pritchett, who won the training camp battle for Seattle’s third cornerback spot, also had a third-down pass breakup earlier and allowed just two catches for 11 yards on four targets, according to Pro Football Focus.

Julian Love broke over the deep middle of the field to snag Seattle’s second interception. It was part of an exceptional game by the veteran safety, who also had two tackles for loss and a punishing hit.

And in the final minute, with the Seahawks clinging to a three-point lead, cornerback Josh Jobe came up with a toe-tap interception along the edge of the end zone to seal the victory. It was a bit of redemption for Jobe, who committed a 34-yard pass interference penalty in the second quarter that set up New England’s lone touchdown.

JOSH JOBE TOE TAP INT

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Lock showed his value

With 28 career starts, Drew Lock is one of the most experienced backup quarterbacks in the NFL. That experience proved invaluable on Wednesday night, when Lock stepped in after Darnold exited with a hip injury just five plays into the game.

It took a while for Lock and Seattle’s offense to find their footing. But given the circumstances, that was understandable. And eventually, with some help from his receivers, Lock settled in and led three straight second-half scoring drives.

Midway through the third quarter, Cooper Kupp hauled in a high-arcing pass from Lock for a spectacular 24-yard, over-the-shoulder catch that set up a field goal.

On the following drive, the Seahawks showed their faith in Lock by keeping their offense on the field for a fourth-and-1. Lock rewarded them for their confidence, hitting Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a short play-action pass. The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year did the rest, racing for a game-tying 45-yard catch-and-run score.

THERE GOES JSN

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And midway through the fourth quarter, Lock delivered three straight completions for first downs and then scrambled for 14 yards to set up the deciding field goal.

Lock finished 16-of-22 passing for 187 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. It was far from eye-catching, but on a night where Seattle’s top-ranked scoring defense dominated, it was exactly what the Seahawks needed.

Hawks’ defensive front dominant yet again

It wasn’t as emphatic as the Seahawks’ six-sack performance in their Super Bowl triumph over the Patriots back in February. But once again, Seattle’s defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage.

This time, that dominance primarily showed up in the Seahawks’ suffocating run defense, which was a brick wall up the middle for nearly the entire night. While Maye scrambled for 47 yards on seven carries, New England running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner combined for just 62 yards on 22 carries – an average of just 2.8 yards per attempt. Five of those 22 carries went for negative yardage, as Seahawks finished with nine tackles for loss.

And in the fourth quarter, Seattle’s pass rush heated up. All three of the Seahawks’ sacks came on the Patriots’ final drive, including a takedown by Derick Hall in the final minute. Two plays after that, DeMarcus Lawrence applied pressure on Maye, prompting the second-year New England quarterback’s ill-advised pass that Jobe picked off the seal the game.

The Patriots finished with just 277 total yards and 4.1 yards per play. And similar to the Super Bowl, it was Seattle’s defensive front that set the tone.

Derick Hall gets to the QB 😤

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— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2026

Seattle Seahawks news and more

• Seattle Seahawks get ‘best games’ from backups in win over Patriots
• Stacy on Seahawks: What I liked, didn’t love, and a big question after Week 1 win
• Seattle Seahawks reveal Super Bowl banner in front of Patriots

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