The Patriots have scored the first touchdown of the 2026 season.
Rookie tight end Eli Rairdon caught the first pass of his career for a 2-yard TD, giving New England a 7-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
Another Patriots newcomer, AJ Brown, set up the score by drawing a pass interference penalty on cornerback Josh Jobe on the snap before. Quarterback Drake Maye had Brown open on a flea flicker, but with the ball underthrown, Brown jumped up and Jobe hit him before the the ball arrived.
The score concluded a 10-play, 77-yard drive that took 5:37 off the clock.
So far, Brown has two catches for 12 yards in his Patriots debut.
Maye is 7-of-8 for 44 yards. He’s also rushed for 20 yards on four carries.
On the other side, Sam Darnold is questionable to return with a hip injury suffered at the end of Seattle’s first possession of the season. Backup Drew Lock has come in to play QB for the Seahawks.
