Seahawks 13, Patriots 10: Maye's late interceptions doom New England in Super Bowl rematch (September 10)

The Seattle Seahawks held off the New England Patriots 13-10 on September 10 to open the 2026 NFL season, a rematch of last year's Super Bowl that ended on a play broadcasters called catastrophic: Patriots QB Drake Maye's interception in the end zone with 26 seconds remaining.

With third-and-5 at the Seattle 16-yard line and the game in reach, Maye threw off his back foot and fading away, the pass caught by Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe. The Patriots had field-goal range and overtime in their grasp, according to NBC's Cris Collinsworth. "I can't believe that throw," Collinsworth said. "There are certain things you just can't do or try when you have field goal range and overtime in your grasp. And that was the play. Ouch."

Collinsworth remained silent for more than a minute after the play, then again for another 30-plus seconds following his initial comment. Mike Tirico called the interception "a terrible decision" and later said, "The last play was disastrous for Drake Maye."

New England led 10-0 late in the third quarter. Seattle's offense arrived in the fourth quarter: backup QB Drew Lock (who entered after starting QB Sam Darnold left with a hip injury in the first quarter) connected with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 45-yard touchdown on a short pass on fourth-and-1, then kicker Jason Myers delivered the game-winning field goal.

Maye, the NFL MVP runner-up last season, completed 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions, finishing with a 54.9 passer rating. All three interceptions came in the fourth quarter, per Awful Announcing's report. The final throw, undefended by any available rational gamble with field-goal range and overtime available, ended the game.