In a thrilling season opener, the New England Patriots narrowly defeated the Seattle Seahawks 45-42. Both teams showcased their offensive prowess, but it was the Patriots who emerged victorious in this high-stakes Week 1 matchup, setting the tone for the 2026 season. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was the star of the game, throwing for an impressive 444 yards and four touchdowns. His connection with tight end Hunter Henry was particularly lethal, as Henry racked up 190 receiving yards, continuously finding gaps in the Seahawks' secondary. Despite the Seahawks' efforts to keep pace, New England's explosive offensive performance proved too much to handle. Defensively, the Patriots made key plays that influenced the game’s outcome. Milton Williams stood out with two sacks, applying pressure on the Seahawks' offensive line and disrupting their rhythm. While Bud Clark led the Seahawks with seven tackles, it was Williams' late-game pressure that turned the tide, forcing crucial mistakes and allowing the Patriots to hold off a late rally from Seattle.