Seattle mounted a late comeback to beat the New England Patriots 13-10 in the season opener on Wednesday, overcoming an early setback when starter Sam Darnold exited with a hip injury on the opening drive. Backup quarterback Drew Lock directed two scoring drives in the fourth quarter, while the Seahawks' defense forced three interceptions from rookie quarterback Drake Maye to close out the win in the Super Bowl rematch.
Offensive struggles for Seattle characterized the first three quarters, with the team managing just a single field goal through that span. The Seahawks were unable to sustain drives consistently after Darnold's injury, and Lock had to take over under difficult circumstances before engineering the late rally that decided the game.
Seattle's defensive pressure paid off in the fourth quarter as Maye was intercepted three times, turnovers that proved decisive in a low-scoring contest. Those interceptions halted New England's attempts to build a late lead and set up the opportunities Lock converted into points to lift the Seahawks ahead.
On the injury front, ESPN reported that Darnold could be available to return for Seattle's Week 3 game against the Washington Commanders. The team did not provide an immediate timeline beyond the initial report, leaving short-term availability uncertain as the regular season progresses.
The tight margin and defensive emphasis underscored a renewed focus on turnovers and situational play in the opener, with both teams left to evaluate personnel and health after a game that hinged on late-game execution and a string of fourth-quarter mistakes by the Patriots' quarterback.