The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 13-10 in the opening game of the 2026 NFL season, according to game reports. Backup quarterback Drew Lock secured the victory for the defending champions after starter Sam Darnold left the game with a hip injury during the opening series.
Quarterback Shifts and Offensive Struggles
Sam Darnold exited the kickoff contest early in the first quarter after taking a hit to his hip, forcing Seattle to turn to Drew Lock off the bench. Lock managed the offense effectively enough to outlast a stagnant New England attack. On the opposing side, Patriots quarterback Patriots quarterback Drake Maye struggled significantly under pressure, throwing three interceptions that ultimately decided the outcome, as reported by game coverage.
Patriots Suffer Key Personnel Losses
New England entered the matchup hoping to showcase a revamped offense anchored by marquee offseason acquisition A.J. Brown, whom the team added to secure a true No. 1 wide receiver. With ankle injuries prone to lingering, the Patriots face the distinct possibility of playing their next few games without their star wideout.
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Following Brown’s departure, former Green Bay Packers free-agent signing Romeo Doubs stepped into the primary target role. Doubs experienced a difficult night on the field, dropping a wide-open, would-be first-down pass in the fourth quarter. That drop immediately preceded Maye’s second interception of the evening, a turnover that directly set up Seattle’s go-ahead field goal.
Game Outcome and Outlook
The 13-10 defensive battle highlights early-season roster vulnerability for New England as they evaluate injuries to both Brown and their receiving depth. For Seattle, securing a hard-fought victory on the road with a backup quarterback demonstrates early resilience as the franchise defends its championship title.