Julian Love ‘dynamite’ as playmaker and leader in Seahawks’ opening win

Down two starters in their secondary, the Seattle Seahawks didn’t miss a beat.

Julian Love was a major reason why.

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Love made plays all over the field with an interception, two tackles for loss and a tone-hitting hit in Seattle’s 13-10 season-opening win over the New England Patriots on Wednesday night.

But just as important was the veteran safety’s leadership, which helped the Seahawks overcome the absences of starting safety Ty Okada and hybrid defender Nick Emmanwori, who were both out with injuries. Head coach Mike Macdonald credited Love for helping Rodney Thomas II, a practice-squad elevation, fill Okada’s role.

“Julian played a dynamite game,” Macdonald said. “Rodney Thomas deserves a shoutout coming in playing really sound football. There’s a lot of reps that Ty and Julian have had to build that chemistry about how we want to operate and getting on the same page.

“So Julian really took a big-time role for our team – one, making the plays, but also making sure we’re in the right stuff and on the same page.”

JULIAN LOVE WITH ANOTHER SEAHAWKS INT

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— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2026

Love, a Pro Bowler with Seattle in 2023, came up with the second of three fourth-quarter interceptions for the Seahawks’ secondary. With the Patriots backed into a third-and-long, Drake Maye tried to force a pass over the deep middle of the field. Love made a perfect read and jumped in front for the pick.

Love also shined as a run defender. In the first quarter, he shot through a gap on third-and-1 to stop running back Rhamondre Stevenson for a loss. And in the third quarter, he again flew into the backfield to bring down Stevenson for a 2-yard loss.

Love also delivered the night’s biggest hit – a jarring shot to Patriots tight end Hunter Henry on the opening snap of the second half that helped fire up Seattle’s defense.

“For one of our leaders in Julian Love to step up the way he did today and made a lot of plays for us – that’s Love,” five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence said.

Julian Love flies in for the TFL on third and short 😤

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— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2026

With Love anchoring Seattle’s depleted secondary, the Patriots finished with just 277 total yards and 4.1 yards per play. Seattle held Maye to just 23-of-33 passing for 178 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

“Ju is a key piece, just preparing throughout the week, watching extra film, and just having him in the meeting rooms, going over schemes and things like that,” said cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett, who snagged Seattle’s first interception on a deep pass that Thomas broke up.

“I would say he is definitely one of the smartest in the room, so it’s definitely a blessing to have him back there with us.”

Cornerback Josh Jobe, who came up with the game-sealing interception in the final minute, echoed that sentiment.

“He’s all around, man,” Jobe said. “He’s a playmaker, smart guy. Great communication. He’s just a ballplayer.”

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