Patriots quarterback Drake Maye took the blame after throwing three interceptions in a 13-10 loss to the Seahawks to open the NFL season on Wednesday night.
“I thought we had the game under control,” Maye said. “I lost patience and it cost us. There were decisions that cost us the game, on my part, on my end. I vow to myself to be better and realize it’s a long season, but at the same time you can’t have those. It was unacceptable and I know I have to get back to work, because that wasn’t how I play football and how I want to represent my game and playing quarterback for the Patriots.”
With the Patriots trailing by a field goal and in field goal range in the final minute, Maye knew a turnover was the one thing the Patriots couldn’t afford. And yet he threw a pass into the end zone that Seattle’s Josh Jobe intercepted, sealing the Patriots’ loss.
“It was just unacceptable. We had a chance to send it to overtime, at the worst, and the only thing you could do was turn the ball over, and that’s what I did.”
Maye had a tremendous 2025 season, finishing second in MVP voting and leading the Patriots to the Super Bowl. But they lost the Super Bowl to the Seahawks, and los to the Seahawks again in Week 1, and Maye knows he needs to be better.
The Seahawks received some positive news on quarterback Sam Darnold, but the extent of his hip injury is still unclear.
In his postgame press conference on Wednesday night, head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters that doctors were able to rule out a fracture.
“Let’s say it’s good news right now. I know our thoughts and prayers are with Sam — we love him. The guys really pulled through for him,” Macdonald said. “At this point, we were able to rule out a fracture. So, there’s some more tests to be done. But that’s what I’m saying when it’s positive, but I know — we’re still working through all that, but right now a fracture is out, which is great news.”
Darnold exited the game in the first quarter after he was sacked on third down to end Seattle’s first possession. After limping off the field, he was examined in the sideline medical tent before limping back up to the locker room for further examination.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Darnold was transported to Harborview Medical Center to undergo a CT scan on his hip. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted Darnold received positive news on the CT scan and his X-Ray, indicating that he was able to avoid a major injury. But Darnold is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday to confirm the diagnosis.
Given the lack of clarity on the injury, Macdonald said he didn’t know what Darnold’s status would be for Seattle’s Week 2 matchup against Arizona.
The Seahawks beat the Patriots 13-10 after raising the banner for beating the same club in Super Bowl LX.
But Seattle’s celebration will likely be a bit muted, as the club has a significant injury concern with its quarterback.
Sam Darnold exited the contest after Seattle’s first series of the season with a hip injury and did not return. Darnold was sacked by Dre’Mont Jones on third-and-6 from the New England 46 — Seattle’s sixth play from scrimmage.
Darnold came off the field with a noticeable limp. He was examined in the sideline medical tent before going to the locker room for further evaluation, which was when he was announced as questionable.
Just before halftime, Seattle downgraded Darnold to out.
The quarterback completed one of his two passes for 13 yards, which was a completion to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Drew Lock replaced Darnold on the second drive and played the rest of the game.
On the other side, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions, the last of which took New England out of the game.
With just 26 seconds left in regulation and the Patriots facing third-and-5 from Seattle’s 16-yard line, Maye was flushed out of the pocket to his right and inexplicably threw a poor jump ball to Mack Hollins in the end zone. But Josh Jobe caught the ball instead, effectively ending the contest.
The Patriots had taken a conservative offensive approach for most of the game and had a 10-3 lead entering the fourth quarter. But that’s when the meltdown started, as Maye attempted a deep pass to Romeo Doubs that was intercepted by Nathaniel Pritchett on the second play of the period.
That led to Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 45-yard touchdown catch-and-run that tied the game at 10-10.
On New England’s next possession, Romeo Doubs had a critical drop on a second-and-14 play. Doubs was wide open after Maye was able to evade the pass rush in the backfield and roll to his right. But Doubs was unable to handle the throw as it fell incomplete.
On the next play, Maye fired a pass over the middle for DeMario Douglas, but Julian Love read the play perfectly and picked the ball off to give Seattle another opportunity.
Seattle took advantage of it with Jason Myers’ 26-yard field goal to go up by three.
That’s all the Seahawks needed, as Maye threw his final interception to lose the contest.
Maye finished 22-of-33 for 178 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Maye did not have a multi-interception game last year until Super Bowl LX, also against the Seahawks. He also had 47 rushing yards on seven attempts.
Lock was 16-of-22 for 187 yards with one touchdown in relief of Darnold.
Notably, Patriots receiver A.J. Brown also suffered an ankle injury early in the third quarter and did not return.
Now at 1-0, the Seahawks will have a long layoff before facing the division-rival Cardinals on the road in Week 2.
The 0-1 Patriots will be at home to face the Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 20.
The reigning AP offensive player of the year just showed why he earned the honor.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba scored a 45-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to tie the 2026 season opener at 10-10.
After Drake Maye tossed his first interception of the year on a jump ball to Romeo Doubs, the Seahawks didn’t take long to get in the end zone for the first time this season. Facing fourth-and-1 in New England territory, quarterback Drew Lock — playing for the injured Sam Darnold — made a quick fake on a handoff and sent a short pass on the left side to a wide-open Smith-Njigba.
But from there, the receiver did the rest, turning on the burners to evade defenders for a 45-yard score.
Smith-Njigba gained 41 yards after the catch.
The fourth-year receiver now has seven catches for 111 yards with a TD
The Patriots will not have their star receiver for the rest of Wednesday’s season opener against the Seahawks.
A.J. Brown has been downgraded to out with an ankle injury.
Brown went down during the third quarter. Seattle cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett landed on Brown’s ankle when breaking up a pass that was low and fell incomplete.
Brown caught three passes for 26 yards on four targets before his exit.
The Patriots have a 10-3 lead early in the fourth quarter.
