In a tightly contested Week 1 matchup, the New England Patriots narrowly defeated the Seattle Seahawks 17-12, setting the tone for the 2026 season. Both teams fought hard, but the Patriots emerged victorious, showcasing their defensive prowess and timely scoring. Sam Darnold of the Seahawks led the passing game with 247 yards, while Breece Hall made his mark on the ground with a stellar 139 rushing yards. Rashid Shaheed also contributed significantly, racking up 63 receiving yards. Despite these standout performances, the Seahawks struggled to convert their yardage into points, ultimately falling short. Defensively, the Patriots were dominant, with Matt Milano leading the charge with eight total tackles and Gabe Jacas wreaking havoc with three sacks. The turning point came in the fourth quarter when Jacas's relentless pressure forced a critical turnover, allowing New England to regain control of the game and secure the win. Meanwhile, Julian Love’s interception for Seattle was a bright spot, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome as the Patriots held off the Seahawks in the final moments.