Drake Maye’s Critical Error Hands Seahawks Season-Opening Victory

Clear Facts

• Drake Maye threw three interceptions in the Patriots’ 13-10 loss to Seattle, including a game-ending pick in the end zone
• Seahawks backup QB Drew Lock led the comeback after starter Sam Darnold exited with a hip injury after just five snaps
• Patriots lost despite being in field goal range with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter

The New England Patriots traveled to Lumen Field on Wednesday night for the NFL season opener, where they watched the Seattle Seahawks raise a Super Bowl victory banner commemorating a championship won at New England’s expense. Drake Maye, last season’s MVP frontrunner who led the Patriots to Super Bowl LX, was looking for revenge alongside his teammates to start the new season on solid ground.

Instead, Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe secured his feet in the end zone on the final play of Maye’s night, recording Seattle’s third interception of the Patriots quarterback and sealing a 13-10 victory in a thrilling Pacific Northwest finish.

Maye and the Patriots offense had converted on fourth-and-9 to put themselves in field goal range with less than a minute remaining. He hoped this fourth-quarter drive would end with points, because the previous two drives in the quarter ended with interceptions that gave Drew Lock and the Seahawks’ offense new life.

Lock played most of the game after Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury just five snaps into the season. The usually raucous “12’s” fan base fell silent when Lock entered the game. But his second-half performance turned the tide, capitalizing on Maye’s mistakes.

Maye’s biggest error came on third-and-5 from Seattle’s 16-yard line. He scrambled to his right, and instead of going out of bounds or throwing the ball away, he tried to force a jump ball to Mack Hollins in the end zone.

Jobe made an incredible acrobatic catch, contorting his body to keep both feet in bounds and seal the victory. The “12’s” erupted when their defense saved the day, while the Patriots sideline stood stunned.

Maye’s opening night was a roller-coaster performance. He finished 23-of-33 through the air for 178 yards with one touchdown pass to rookie tight end Eli Raridon—the first touchdown of the NFL season. His three interceptions will be scrutinized in team meetings this week.

The Seahawks were grateful for Maye’s decision not to throw the ball away, as they were facing at least overtime with a chip-shot field goal in play before the final interception.

They also benefited from Lock’s readiness when Darnold was ruled out. The backup quarterback went 16-of-22 for 187 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers.

The reigning Offensive Player of the Year helped his backup quarterback succeed. Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished with eight catches for 122 yards, including a game-changing 45-yard catch-and-run touchdown on a clever fourth-and-1 call.

Smith-Njigba was wide open and Lock hit him in stride. The Ohio State product used his speed to beat multiple Patriots defenders and tie the game after Jason Myers’ extra point.

That touchdown followed Maye’s first interception, which Nehemiah Pritchett hauled in on a deep ball intended for new Patriots receiver Romeo Doubs. A.J. Brown, the top offseason acquisition by New England, suffered an ankle injury that knocked him out of the game like Darnold.

With the game tied, Maye tried to regain the lead, but veteran safety Julian Love had other plans. This time targeting Pop Douglas, Love read Maye the entire way, jumped the route, and secured excellent field position for Lock’s offense.

Myers kicked a 26-yard field goal to end the drive, providing the game-winning points for Seattle. The Seahawks start the season 1-0, making their Super Bowl celebration even sweeter.

All eyes will be on Darnold’s status this week, as Seattle’s Super Bowl hopes depend on their franchise quarterback’s health. Darnold landed awkwardly on his knee when Dre’Mont Jones sacked him in the first quarter, and he limped noticeably to the sideline.

After visiting the medical tent, Darnold limped to the locker room where he was ruled out. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald will learn of his quarterback’s diagnosis soon, and the franchise hopes it’s nothing severe.

The same concern applies to Brown, whom the Patriots traded for from the Philadelphia Eagles before training camp. He finished his debut with three catches for 26 yards before leaving the game.

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