FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots let a winnable game slip through their fingers on Sunday, as the Seattle Seahawks left Gillette Stadium with a 23-20 overtime victory.
New England held a 20-17 late in the fourth quarter and appeared primed for a second consecutive win to start the season. But Seattle blocked a 48-yard field goal attempt from Joey Slye before receiving a game-tying field goal from Jason Myers.
Patriots Fall to Seahawks in Overtime
The Patriots went three-and-out to start overtime, and the Seahawks responded by driving to set up Myers for a game-winning field goal.
FOR THE WIN!!!! pic.twitter.com/pdNmkv3yvf
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 15, 2024
Jacoby Brissett went 15-for-27 for 149 yards and one touchdown in the loss. Just three of his completions went to receivers, with tight end Hunter Henry posting eight catches for 109 yards.
Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson both starred in the backfield, racking up 81 yards and 96 yards, respectively. Stevenson also scored a touchdown.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith completed 33 of 44 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown. DK Metcalf caught 10 balls for 129 yards and a score, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba adding 12 catches for 117 yards.
The Seahawks outgained the Patriots in yards (358-310) but New England earned more first downs (19-18). New England also was worse on third downs.
The Patriots dropped to 1-1 with the loss, while Seattle improved to 2-0 with the win. New England will visit Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Thursday night.
Best Players for Patriots in Loss to Seahawks
TE Hunter Henry
This was a vintage performance for Henry, who finished with eight catches for a career-high 109 yards.
Henry was especially good over a three-drive sequence in the first half. He caught three balls for 37 yards on New England’s second series, then delivered three catches for 26 yards on the next drive.
On the next drive, Henry delivered a catch-and-run of 37 yards.
.@JBrissett12 and @Hunter_Henry84 making things happen.
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/yPHlgiEx6n
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 15, 2024
In Henry and Austin Hooper, the Patriots arguably half their best tight end room since Rob Gronkowski’s retirement.
S Kyle Dugger
Kyle Dugger wasn’t perfect in this game, and he was at least partially responsible for the coverage bust that allowed Metcalf to score a 56-yard touchdown in the first half. But the veteran safety also recorded a sack and made a huge tackle to stop Seattle on a fourth-down attempt.
Ultimately, the good outweighed the bad for Dugger, who finished with eight tackles.
4th down 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 ✊@KingDugg_3 | #NEPats
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/je82SVYKyW
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 15, 2024
Running Backs
Stevenson and Gibson both were excellent in this game.
Stevenson would’ve been in the “duds” section had guard Michael Jordan not recovered a goal-line fumble in the fourth quarter. But Jordan corralled the loose ball, and Stevenson later ran into the end zone on fourth down.
Stevenson also was fortunate not to lose a fumble in the season opener. Nevertheless, he’s off to a great start.
As for Gibson, he was equally impressive. The veteran was tough and elusive, especially on his 45-yard run in the fourth quarter. This is the best Patriots backfield in a while.
Honorable mentions: Keion White, Bryce Baringer, Jaylinn Hawkins
Players Who Struggled in Patriots Loss
OT Vederian Lowe
The Seahawks identified Lowe as a weak link and found repeated success while attacking the much-maligned tackle.
Lowe gave up at least one sack, committed a holding penalty that wiped out a 20-yard run by Stevenson, and surrendered multiple quarterback pressures. He seemed to get worse as the game progressed.
Lowe suffered a knee injury late in the game, forcing the Patriots to play rookie Caedan Wallace at left tackle during overtime. The injury will be worth monitoring ahead of Thursday night’s game against the New York Jets.
CB Marco Wilson
It might be time for the Patriots to give Alex Austin a shot as the No. 4 cornerback.
Wilson committed a defensive pass interference penalty that led to a Seahawks touchdown late in the second quarter. It was the second DPI in two games for Wilson, who joined the Patriots late last season. Wilson is a talented player but probably doesn’t have a long leash.
CB Christian Gonzalez
Gonzalez wasn’t bad in this game. But, at first blush, this was one of his sloppier performances.
We’ll have to review the film to see whether Gonzalez or Kyle Dugger was at fault on the coverage bust that resulted in Metcalf’s long touchdown in the first quarter. However, it looked like Gonzalez got caught with his eyes in the backfield.
Regardless, Gonzalez later committed a facemask penalty that negated an offensive pass interference on the Seahawks.
WIDE OPEN @dkm14 🤯 pic.twitter.com/rHIeaVSkOL
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 15, 2024
Gonzalez deserves some slack as someone routinely defending some of the NFL’s best receivers. But he still can be better.
Honorable mentions: Marcus Jones, Michael Jordan, Receivers