Three interceptions off Drake Maye turn the NFL opener for the champions
New England were in field-goal range with 21 seconds left and went for the win instead. Josh Jobe intercepted in the endzone, and Seattle took it 13-10.
The Seattle Seahawks began the defence of their title by beating the New England Patriots 13-10 at Lumen Field, and did it almost entirely through a defence that took the ball off Drake Maye on New England's final three possessions.
For the first time in ten years the season opened with a rematch of the previous Super Bowl — a game in which the Patriots had been dominated by the same Seattle defensive unit, known as the Dark Side.
An early problem
Seattle's difficulties arrived immediately. Sam Darnold left with a hip injury on the opening drive, handing the offence to back-up Drew Lock for the night.
New England took advantage, moving into a 10-0 lead, with rookie tight end Eli Raridon scoring the first touchdown of the NFL season in the second quarter.
Lock got the Seattle offence moving late in the third quarter, and Jason Myers cut the gap with a field goal.
The fourth quarter
Cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett claimed the first interception of his career at the start of the fourth, after a Maye pass was deflected by rookie Rodney Thomas.
On the next possession Lock found Jaxon Smith-Njigba in space, and last season's offensive player of the year charged through the New England defence for a 45-yard touchdown.
Julian Love then picked off Maye again, giving Myers a 26-yard field goal to edge Seattle in front.
The decision that ended it
New England were well within field-goal range with 21 seconds remaining. They chose to go for the win rather than settle for overtime.
Maye's hopeful pass towards Mack Hollins was intercepted by Josh Jobe in the endzone.
Both the coach and the quarterback were direct about it afterwards. "You can't throw three interceptions. Drake knows that," said head coach Mike Vrabel.
Maye called the final interception "unacceptable", adding: "We could have sent it to overtime at the worst, and the only thing I could do was turn the ball over."
What it means
The only game in which Maye threw multiple interceptions last season was the Super Bowl. He has now done it again, against the same opponent, on the opening night.
For Seattle, the reassurance is that the formula that won them a championship survived the loss of their starting quarterback inside one drive.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba45-yard touchdown
- Jason Myersfield goal
- Jason Myers26-yard field goal
- Eli Raridontouchdown, 2nd quarter
- 1st driveSam Darnold leaves with a hip injury; Drew Lock takes over.
- 4th qtrNehemiah Pritchett intercepts Maye for the first pick of his career.
- 4th qtrJulian Love intercepts Maye again, setting up a 26-yard Myers field goal.
- 0:21In field-goal range, New England go for the win. Josh Jobe intercepts in the endzone.
Confirmed line-ups were not available from our sources for this fixture.
