Seahawks rally past Patriots after three late Drake Maye interceptions

The Seattle Seahawks began their Super Bowl defence with their starting quarterback injured and their offence struggling to generate points. Their defence made sure the championship celebration still ended with a victory.

Seattle intercepted Drake Maye three times in the fourth quarter and erased a 10-point deficit to defeat the New England Patriots 13-10 on Wednesday night at Lumen Field, opening the 2026 NFL season with another win over the team it beat in Super Bowl LX.

Backup quarterback Drew Lock helped complete the comeback after Sam Darnold left with a hip injury on Seattle’s opening possession and did not return.

Initial tests ruled out a fracture, according to Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, but no further diagnosis was immediately available.

Seattle flips the game in the fourth quarter

New England controlled the scoreboard for most of the night without pulling away.

Maye connected with rookie Eli Raridon for a two-yard touchdown in the first half, while Andy Borregales added a 50-yard field goal after halftime to give the Patriots a 10-0 advantage.

Seattle managed only a field goal through three quarters before its defence changed the game.

Nehemiah Pritchett recorded Maye’s first interception early in the fourth, giving the Seahawks the opportunity they needed. Facing fourth-and-1 on the ensuing possession, Lock found Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 45-yard touchdown that tied the game.

Maye was intercepted again on New England’s next possession, this time by Julian Love. Seattle converted the turnover into a 26-yard Jason Myers field goal and took its first lead, 13-10.

The Patriots still had an opportunity to respond in the final minute and moved within range to potentially tie the game. Instead, Maye’s third interception ended the comeback attempt.

Josh Jobe secured the ball in the end zone while keeping his feet in bounds, sealing Seattle’s victory.

“I was trying to get rid of it, and I realized Mack was back there in the back and I didn’t put enough on it to get it out,” Maye said afterward. “It was unacceptable.”

Lock steps in after Darnold injury

Darnold’s night ended after only five plays when he was injured on a third-down sack by Dre’Mont Jones. He went to the medical tent before leaving for the locker room.

That forced Lock into his most significant action since returning to Seattle.

The Seahawks initially struggled to find any rhythm, but Lock finished 16-of-22 for 187 yards without a turnover. His biggest play came on the fourth-down touchdown to Smith-Njigba that brought Seattle level.

Seattle also received 52 rushing yards on 10 carries from rookie Jadarian Price in his NFL debut.

The circumstances made the defensive performance particularly important. Seattle entered the fourth quarter trailing by seven and proceeded to take the ball away on three of New England’s final possessions.

“We didn’t panic,” Macdonald said. “We still liked our plan. We didn’t need to change what we were doing or anything like that.”

Injuries hit both teams in opener

New England also left Seattle with an injury concern.

A.J. Brown injured his right ankle during the third quarter of his Patriots debut and did not return. No further update on his status was available after the game.

The victory came on the night Seattle raised its Super Bowl LX championship banner after beating New England 29-13 in February. It was just the third Week 1 Super Bowl rematch in NFL history.

Both teams now have additional time before returning in Week 2. The Seahawks visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 20, while the Patriots return home to face the Pittsburgh Steelers the same day.