The New England Patriots went into Lumen Field on Wednesday night and watched the Seattle Seahawks raise a Super Bowl banner won at their expense. Drake Maye, last season’s MVP frontrunner who led the Patriots to Super Bowl LX, wanted revenge. Instead, Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe sealed a 13-10 win with an acrobatic end-zone interception on the final play of Maye’s night.
Maye’s Three Interceptions
Maye finished 23-of-33 for 178 yards with one touchdown pass to rookie tight end Eli Raridon — the first of the NFL season — but three interceptions will sting when the team watches tape. His first came on a deep ball intended for new receiver Romeo Doubs, hauled in by Nehemiah Pritchett. The second was read perfectly by veteran safety Julian Love, who jumped a route meant for Pop Douglas.
The biggest mistake came on third-and-5 from Seattle’s 16-yard line with less than a minute left. Maye scrambled right and, instead of throwing the ball away, tried a jump ball to Mack Hollins in the end zone. Jobe contorted his body, got both feet down, and sealed the victory.
The Patriots had converted on fourth-and-9 to reach field goal range. A chip-shot kick would have at least forced overtime. Maye’s decision ended the game instead.
Backup Quarterback Delivers
Sam Darnold lasted just five snaps before a hip injury knocked him out. Dre’Mont Jones sacked him in the first quarter, and Darnold landed awkwardly on his knee, limping to the locker room before being ruled out.
Drew Lock took over, and the crowd’s dull murmur turned to rapture by night’s end. Lock went 16-of-22 for 187 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers.
The game-changing score came on a clever fourth-and-1 call. Instead of running, the Seahawks passed, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba was wide open. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year took Lock’s pass 45 yards for a touchdown, tying the game after Jason Myers’ extra point. Myers later knocked through a 26-yard field goal for the winning points.
Injuries Loom Over Both Teams
The Seahawks now start 1-0. But all eyes turn to Darnold’s health this week, as head coach Mike Macdonald awaits his quarterback’s diagnosis.
The Patriots have their own concern. A.J. Brown, their top offseason acquisition from the Philadelphia Eagles, left with an ankle injury after three catches for 26 yards. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Here is how Maye’s night unraveled, in order:
- First interception: Deep ball to Romeo Doubs, picked by Nehemiah Pritchett.
- Second interception: Route to Pop Douglas, jumped by Julian Love.
- Third interception: Jump ball to Mack Hollins, sealed by Josh Jobe.
Seattle’s defense saved the day once again, and the “12’s” were in rapture. The Patriots’ sideline couldn’t believe what just happened.
Source: foxnews.com
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