Patriots vs Seahawks Player Stats: Who Had the Best Game in Their Super Bowl Rematch?
Football fans got a special treat this year. The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks met again, just seven months after their Super Bowl LX game. This time, they played in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season on September 9. The Seahawks won again, but the score was much closer. Seattle beat New England 13 to 10 in a game full of drama, injuries, and turnovers.
A Quick Look Back at Super Bowl LX
Before we talk about the September game, let’s remember what happened in the Super Bowl. On February 8, 2026, the Seahawks beat the Patriots 29 to 13 in Santa Clara, California. It was a dominant win for Seattle from start to finish.
Sam Darnold was the winning quarterback that night. He completed 19 of 38 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown. His numbers were not huge, but Seattle’s defense and running game did most of the work.
Kenneth Walker III was the biggest star of the game. He ran the ball 27 times for 135 yards. His strong running kept New England’s defense on their heels the whole night.
On the Patriots’ side, Drake Maye actually threw for more yards than Darnold. Maye finished 27 of 43 for 295 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. But he also lost a fumble, and Seattle’s defense made big stops when it mattered most. Mack Hollins caught a touchdown pass and had four catches for 78 yards, which was a bright spot for New England.
So even though Maye had better passing numbers on paper, the Patriots still lost by 16 points. This shows that total yards do not always tell the full story in football. Turnovers and key moments matter a lot too.
The Week 1 Rematch: Seahawks Win 13 to 10
Seven months later, these two teams met again. This time it was the NFL season opener on a Wednesday night at Lumen Field in Seattle. Everyone wanted to see if the Patriots could get revenge. In the end, Seattle won again, but it was a much tighter and messier game.
Sam Darnold’s Short Night
The game started badly for the Seahawks. On just the fifth play of the game, Darnold was sacked by Patriots defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones. Darnold got up limping with a hip injury. He tried to stay in the game but was later ruled out before halftime. Coach Mike Macdonald said early tests did not show a broken bone, which was good news for Seattle. Still, losing your starting quarterback in the first quarter is never easy for any team.
Drew Lock Steps Up
With Darnold out, backup quarterback Drew Lock had to lead the offense. At first, things were slow. Seattle only had a field goal through three quarters. But Lock got better as the game went on. He completed about 73% of his passes and averaged 8.5 yards per attempt, which is a strong number.
Lock’s biggest play came in the fourth quarter. On fourth down, he found wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a short screen pass. Smith-Njigba took it 45 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 10 to 10. It was the kind of explosive play that helped Seattle win the Super Bowl, and it showed up again when the team needed it most.
Drake Maye’s Rough Fourth Quarter
For the Patriots, quarterback Drake Maye had a night to forget, even though it started well. He threw a two yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Eli Raridon in the second quarter, giving New England a 7 to 0 lead. For most of the game, Maye looked steady, completing short passes and moving the offense.
But everything changed in the fourth quarter. Maye threw three interceptions in the final period alone, which was a career high for him. The first came on a deep pass that safety Julian Love read perfectly. The second came right after a drop by new Patriots receiver Romeo Doubs. The third, and most costly, came with just 26 seconds left. New England was in the red zone with a chance to win or tie the game. Maye tried to force a pass into the end zone, and Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe intercepted it to seal the win for Seattle.
By the end of the night, Maye had completed 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. He also added 47 rushing yards, showing he can still move the ball with his legs even on a tough passing night. After the game, Maye admitted his own mistakes cost his team the win, saying his impatience in the pocket led to bad decisions.
A.J. Brown’s Injury
New England also had bad injury news of its own. Star receiver A.J. Brown, who joined the Patriots this offseason, left the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. Before his injury, Brown had drawn a key defensive pass interference penalty that helped set up New England’s only touchdown. Losing him for the rest of the game was a big blow to the Patriots’ offense in the second half.
Other Key Players to Watch
A few other players had solid performances worth mentioning:
- Cooper Kupp made an impressive catch for Seattle that helped set up an early field goal, showing he still has great hands even in a new uniform.
- Rhamondre Stevenson helped rescue a quiet rushing night for the Patriots with some important catches out of the backfield.
- Jadarian Price, Seattle’s rookie running back, made his first career carries in this game after being the team’s first round draft pick. He was filling in for Kenneth Walker III, who left in free agency for the Chiefs during the offseason.
- Julian Love and Josh Jobe were the defensive stars for Seattle, each coming up with a big interception when the Patriots needed to make a play.
Why This Game Mattered So Much
This was only the third time in NFL history that a Super Bowl rematch happened in Week 1 of the very next season. It last happened in 2016 and before that all the way back in 1970. That made this game extra special for fans and players alike.
For the Seahawks, winning this game proved that their Super Bowl season was not just luck. Even without their starting quarterback for most of the game, the defense and role players stepped up to get the job done. Head coach Mike Macdonald praised his team for staying calm and sticking to the game plan, even when the offense was struggling early on.
For the Patriots, the loss was tough to swallow. They led for most of the game and had chances to win it late. But turnovers, especially Maye’s three fourth quarter interceptions, ended up being the difference. Head coach Mike Vrabel was direct after the game, saying that a quarterback simply cannot throw three interceptions and expect to win close games like this one.
What This Means Going Forward
Both teams now move on to the rest of the 2026 season. The Patriots will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 20, looking to bounce back from this tough opening loss. The Seahawks will travel to face the Arizona Cardinals the same week, hoping Sam Darnold can return to full health soon.
For fans of both teams, the player stats from these two games give a lot to think about. Drake Maye showed he can move the ball and make big throws, but ball security will be something he needs to fix. Drew Lock proved he can be trusted as a backup quarterback who can win games when called upon. And Seattle’s defense showed once again why they are one of the toughest units in the league.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Patriots vs Seahawks game in Week 1 of the 2026 season?
The Seattle Seahawks won the game 13 to 10 at Lumen Field on September 9, 2026. It was a rematch of Super Bowl LX, which Seattle also won earlier that year.
What were Drake Maye’s stats in the Patriots vs Seahawks game?
Drake Maye completed 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. He also rushed for 47 yards. His three interceptions all came in the fourth quarter and played a big part in the Patriots’ loss.
Why did Sam Darnold not finish the game for the Seahawks?
Darnold was sacked on an early drive and suffered a hip injury. He tried to stay in the game but was ruled out before halftime. Backup quarterback Drew Lock took over and led Seattle to the win.
