Patriots Blow Fourth-Quarter Lead in Super Bowl Rematch

The New England Patriots had a chance to make a statement in their 2026 season opener.

Instead, they watched a promising night slip away in the second half.

The Patriots fell to the Seattle Seahawks 13-10 on Sunday night in a rematch of Super Bowl LX, despite leading for much of the game and having multiple opportunities to put the Seahawks away.

New England led 10-0 before Seattle scored 13 unanswered points, setting up a dramatic finish at Lumen Field.

Drake Maye and the Patriots' offense got the ball back late with a chance to tie the game or potentially win it. Maye moved New England into the red zone, but the drive ended in the worst possible way.

Facing third-and-5 from Seattle's 16-yard line, Maye dropped back and attempted to force a pass into the end zone toward Mack Hollins. Seattle cornerback Josh Jobe made an outstanding toe-tapping interception to seal the victory.

It was a brutal ending for Maye, who otherwise showed flashes throughout the night. The 2025 MVP runner-up finished 23-of-33 for 178 yards and a touchdown while adding 47 yards on the ground. Unfortunately, three interceptions ultimately proved costly.

The Patriots also suffered a major blow when new star wide receiver A.J. Brown left the game with an ankle injury in the third quarter. Brown was making his Patriots debut after arriving in the offseason and his early exit left New England without one of its biggest offensive weapons.

Romeo Doubs also endured a forgettable Patriots debut. The offseason addition was targeted three times but failed to record a catch, including a costly fourth-quarter drop that could have helped New England's offense.

Seattle had its own major injury early in the game. Starting quarterback Sam Darnold left after the Seahawks' opening drive with a hip injury, forcing Drew Lock into action.

Lock stepped up when his team needed him, completing 18 of 22 passes for 187 yards. His biggest play came on a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, which helped turn the game in Seattle's favor.

For the Patriots, the loss will sting.

New England had the Seahawks on the ropes and appeared capable of leaving Seattle with a victory in a game that many expected to be difficult. Instead, the Patriots head home 0-1 after a game that came down to one final mistake.

Maye will receive plenty of criticism for the late interception, and deservedly so. But the Patriots' inability to score after halftime, Brown's injury, Doubs' struggles and several missed opportunities throughout the second half all contributed to the collapse.

It's only Week 1, but this was a painful reminder that in the NFL, a game can turn in an instant.

The Patriots will have to regroup quickly.