Seahawks rally from 10 down to edge Patriots in NFL opener
Seattle overcame a 10-0 deficit to beat New England 13-10, with backup Drew Lock throwing a 45-yard touchdown and the defense intercepting Drake Maye three times in the fourth quarter. Sam Darnold left with a hip injury, but tests showed no fracture. The Patriots' final drive ended with an interception in the end zone as they chose to go for the win instead of overtime.
Seattle's defense, nicknamed "the Dark Side," was the decisive factor, intercepting Drake Maye on the Patriots' final three possessions. Rookie Rodney Thomas deflected a pass for Nehemiah Pritchett's first career pick, while Julian Love and Josh Jobe added crucial fourth-quarter takeaways. The Seahawks' comeback began after Drew Lock replaced an injured Sam Darnold, connecting with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 45-yard score.
The game marked the first season-opening Super Bowl rematch in a decade. New England's Mike Vrabel acknowledged the turnovers, while Maye called his final decision "unacceptable." Seattle's Mike Macdonald reported Darnold's hip tests showed no fracture. Week one continues with the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Australia, as the Rams face the 49ers in Melbourne.
This result could shape early-season momentum for both franchises, with Seattle validating its championship pedigree and New England facing questions about quarterback decision-making under pressure. The Patriots' aggressive choice to avoid overtime may influence coaching strategies league-wide, while the NFL's Australian debut signals growing international appetite for American football. Fans of both teams will watch how injuries and backup performances affect long-term playoff trajectories, potentially impacting ticket sales, merchandise, and viewership as the season unfolds.