SEATTLE, Washington — The New England Patriots just fell apart.
For the first three quarters of the game, they had all the momentum, as they were the more disciplined and put-together team. But after a Drake Maye interception, things changed, and it was Seattle that started getting their act together, while the Patriots were giving up major plays, missing tackles, dropping easy catches, and making questionable decisions with the ball.
After leading for the majority of the game, the Seahawks scored 13 unanswered points to go in the fourth quarter. That gave Maye one more attempt, but he was without A.J. Brown and with a run game that wasn't entirely clicking.
1. A.J. Brown gets banged up
The Patriots lost a guy they couldn't afford to lose. In the third quarter, Brown was slow
to get up, holding his ankle. The receiver was able to walk on his own to the sideline, but had a clear limp and headed to the bench, where he was looked at by the training staff. He quickly moved into the blue medical tent and remained in there before leaving for the locker room.
After the game, head coach Mike Vrabel said he had no new update on Brown.
However, before he was injured, Brown made some impressive plays and had an almost touchdown. Josh McDaniels also had some fun early, calling a flea flicker with A.J. Brown going deep into the end zone. And while Maye's ball was underthrown, Brown managed to draw a defensive pass interference penalty, resulting in the ball being placed on Seattle's two-yard line. On the next play, the Patriots found their way into the end zone.
Brown finished with three receptions on four targets for 26 yards in his debut with the Patriots before leaving early due to injury.
2. Sam Darnold leaves game early
While there's been some skepticism surrounding the edge group, Dre'Mont Jones began the game with a sack, bringing down Sam Darnold on the Seahawks' opening drive. However, on the play, Darnold was injured and limped over to the sideline before heading into the blue medical tent. He eventually left for the locker room, being ruled as questionable to return with a hip injury. Before the end of the first half, he was officially ruled out.
Drew Lock replaced him at quarterback, finishing the game going 16-of-22 for 187 passing yards and one passing touchdown, as well as two carries for 13 yards.
3. Drake Maye makes costly mistake(s) in 4th quarter
It was not the season-opening performance that Drake Maye likely had in mind as he faced off against the team that had beaten him just a few months prior. The quarterback finished the night with three interceptions, all of which came in the second half. The momentum first changed when he targeted Romeo Doubs and the ball was tipped and then intercepted. He then threw another pick on the next drive on a pass intended for DeMario Douglas. But the worst was on a potentially game-winning drive, when Maye sent a deep ball to Mack Hollins, but it was brought in by Josh Jobe, who impressively managed to get two feet inbounds, securing the win for Seattle.
4. Eli Raridon's first NFL catch is one to remember and other rookies impress
After a Seahawks penalty put the ball on Seattle's own two-yard line, the Patriots immediately capitalized, with Maye finding Eli Raridon for what was the rookie's first NFL catch and first touchdown. In traditional New England fashion, he went with a simple spike celebration.
Raridon's touchdown was just one example of the rookies balling out in the season opener. Gabe Jacas recorded a sack, bringing down Drew Lock for a seven-yard loss in the second quarter. Lan Larison, who isn't a rookie (in his 2nd year) but made his debut on Wednesday, was elevated from the practice squad with TreVeyon Henderson out and also had an impressive 11-yard catch in the first quarter. Linebacker Namdi Obiazor was dominant on special teams with three tackles.
5. Run game struggles
The Patriots' run game continues to struggle. Without TreVeyon Henderson, it was Rhamondre Stevenson who carried the majority of the load, with a few carries by Corey Kiner sprinkled throughout. The running back finished with just 51 yards on 18 carries. Maye followed behind with 47 rushing yards of his own on seven carries, while Kiner recorded six carries for 11 yards.
The Patriots elevated Larison, but he was used as a pass catcher, picking up two receptions on two targets for nine yards. He also served as the main kick returner alongside Kyle Williams.
6. Penalties, penalties, and some more penalties
In the first half, it was the Seahawks who weren't clicking, committing numerous penalties. But in the second half, it was the Patriots' turn. New England committed seven penalties for a total of 50 yards, many of which occured on offense, including illegal blocks in the back, holding, and false starts. As for the Seahawks, they had 10 penalties for a total of 98 yards.
Basically, it was just sloppy and undisciplined football by both sides at times.
7. Other notes
- Christian Gonzalez had an impressive pass breakup on a throw by Lock intended for Smith-Njigba in the fourth quarter. He then tried to hit the receiver again, but the pass was incomplete, resulting in what became the game-winning field goal.
- Hunter Henry had an injury scare, taking a big hit and leaving the field for the blue medical tent, where he spent some time. However, he ultimately returned to the field shortly after and finished the game.
- After Lock connected with Smith-Njigba for a 21-yard gain on 3rd-and-22, the offense opted to stay on the field and attempt a tush push. However, a flag was thrown, and Seattle was called for offsides. As a result, they punted.
- Lan Larison and Kyle Williams served as the first kick returners. The Patriots also had Reggie Gilliam back with Williams at one point.
- Mitch Wishnowsky's first punt with the Patriots went for 45 yards. He punted four times for a total of 177 yards, averaging 44.3 yards per punt.
- Rookie linebacker Namdi Obiazor had an impressive tackle on the opening kickoff, holding Rashid Shaheed to a 22-yard return. He finished with two total special teams tackles.
- After A.J. Brown's injury, Mack Hollins stepped up, making some big catches in crucial moments. He finished with four receptions on five targets for a team-high 51 yards.
- The Patriots won the toss (called tails) and elected to defer. Coming out of the half, they managed to get the ball to midfield before the drive stalled, leading to a 50-yard field goal by Andy Borregales.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 7 takeaways from Patriots' brutal season opening loss to Seahawks
