Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ 35-30 loss to the Seahawks in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Patriots come up 1 yard short: After spending much of the second half trying to come back from being down two scores, the Patriots almost did it in the final minute when they drove to the Seattle 1-yard line with 3 seconds left. The Patriots went back to their huge goal-line package, which had worked so well in these first two games, but it didn't work when rookie Michael Onwenu allowed penetration, and that started the ball rolling on the 1-yard loss by Cam Newton.
— Marina Maher (@marinakmaher) September 21, 2020
TURNING POINT
The Patriots had the ball and were threatening to take the lead midway through the fourth quarter when they had 2nd and 2 from their own 35-yard line.
They proceeded to lose 6 yards on the next two plays. The first, a screen to Damiere Byrd, was a good play but N'Keal Harry failed at his block for a 2-yard loss.
The next play really never had a chance as LT Isaiah Wynn couldn't get out to block Jamal Adams. A better option may have been for Newton to keep it when Bruce Irvin stayed flat to the line of scrimmage. This is the type of play that you would like to see Newton have the ability to check out of — perhaps a stepback screen to Edelman after he comes in motion.
A touchdown on this drive would have put all the pressure on the Seahawks. The Patriots never got to that point because they never took the lead in the second half.
SECOND GUESS
Everyone will second guess the play on the goal line because it didn't work. I'll go with another one: the Patriots' decision to basically play one linebacker (Ja'Whaun Bentley) all game. Not sure I saw Anfernee Jennings on the field ever. Maybe Brandon Copeland a few times. The Patriots decided to go heavy on the defensive backs, and the Seahawks absolutely ran them over when they wanted to. The Seahawks totally controlled the game — it would have been worse if Greg Olsen didn't gift a pick-six to the Patriots on the third play of the game.
The Seahawks had one play for less than 2 yards in the first quarter. Patriots had three on their first drive.
BONUS: Kicking a 51-yard field goal with Nick Folk.
THREE UP
QB Cam Newton: Was terrific in every phase, as he ran for a 4.3 average and two scores, and threw for 397 yards on 44 passes. He showed he will be a very real factor just two games into the season.
WR Julian Edelman: Had at least one drop again, but he carried the passing offense with eight receptions on 11 targets for a career-high 179 yards, including a 49-yard diving catch.
DE Chase Winovich: His six pressures were more than the rest of the team combined outside of Lawrence Guy (at least two quarterback hits). He was the only one bringing pressure.
TWO DOWN
Secondary: Whether it was Tyler Lockett against Jonathan Jones, Stephon Gilmore against DK Metcalf or Jason McCourty against David Moore, the Patriots were beaten in their one-on-one matchups, as those receivers caught 14 of 17 targets for 207 yards and three touchdowns.
Sony Michel/Rex Burkhead: Combined to have 21 yards on 13 carries. Just nothing there. Seahawks were quicker and stronger than them.
INJURIES
Derek Rivers (leg): Was hurt in the second half and did not return.
TOP PLAYS
Still clutch. @edelman11 | #GoPats
?: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/IGmXubvMwR
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 21, 2020
TOUCHDOWN, @JohnsonJakob!
cc: @patsdeutsch ??
?: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/O6qkLCjckD
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 21, 2020
Squirrel szn.@edelman11 | #GoPats
?: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/2l3J7HwBQZ
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 21, 2020
1️⃣ to 1️⃣1️⃣. @CameronNewton | @edelman11
?: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/Pd1Joxn2Fr
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 21, 2020
Teaming up for the sack. @wino | @D_Rivers11
?: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/XXnL3qW3Cq
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 21, 2020
DMAC PICK SIX!
?: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/OSBoYmVazk
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 21, 2020
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
No issue with the final play call: When you're on the 1-yard line with the game on the line, you go with the play and personnel that you've repped the most, have the most confidence in and put the player you want in control. That was Newton, and the play had worked great in two games so far, including twice in this game — run two different ways. The Patriots just didn't execute with a rookie. If you want to second guess anything, you would second-guess having two rookies (Onwenu, Justin Herron) active for the game and on the field and not Korey Cunningham (inactive again).
There are no moral victories, but this was pretty damn close: The Patriots were gifted a seven-point lead without doing anything thanks to Greg Olsen's unforced drop, but after that the Seahawks were largely in control of the game, outscoring New England 28-10 at one point into the fourth quarter. But the Patriots kept fighting back with an offense that has no idea, really, what they can do or are capable of. That's a great sign going forward. I'd say the Patriots are ahead of schedule based on the second half.