The NFL couldn’t have picked a much better way to start the season.
Patriots. Seahawks. Super Bowl rematch.
Seven months after Seattle beat New England 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, the Patriots return to Lumen Field Wednesday night with a much different team and another opportunity against the defending champions.
And this one should be much closer.
The biggest difference for New England is what now surrounds Drake Maye.
The Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs at receiver and Alijah Vera-Tucker along the offensive line. Brown gives Maye the legitimate No. 1 receiver he was missing last season and could make a massive difference against a Seattle defense that completely overwhelmed New England in February.
But that Seattle defense is still terrifying.
The Seahawks allowed just 17.2 points per game last season, and Mike Macdonald still has stars like Leonard Williams and Devon Witherspoon leading a unit that sacked Maye six times in the Super Bowl.
Seattle’s bigger questions are on offense.
Kenneth Walker III is gone, Zach Charbonnet is on the PUP list and first-round rookie Jadarian Price is expected to immediately take on a significant role in the backfield. Seattle also has a new offensive coordinator in Brian Fleury.
That could put more pressure on Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba to carry the offense.
For me, this game comes down to one thing.
Can New England protect Drake Maye?
Seattle destroyed the Patriots up front in the Super Bowl. If that happens again, the additions at receiver won’t matter.
But if Maye actually gets time to find Brown and attack Seattle’s secondary, this could look completely different from February.
I think New England is better.
I just don’t know if it’s quite ready to walk into Seattle on banner night and beat the defending champs.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Patriots 20
