Whenever the Seahawks and the Patriots play each other, regardless of the starting quarterback, each team loves to put up a show. Both teams were coming off a 1-0 start before last Sunday night’s game at an empty CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
Before the game, devastating news was reported that Patriots running back James White’s parents were involved in a horrible car accident in Florida. His father passed away and his mother is in serious condition at a Florida hospital. Many players around the league tweeted their sympathy and prayers to White and his family after the tragic incident. White was inactive for the game.
Love from around the league for James White.
We're all with you, @SweetFeet_White ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ymqq41RUSc
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 21, 2020
The Patriots took an early 7-0 lead in the beginning minutes of the first quarter when safety Devin McCourty picked off a pass from Russell Wilson. The Seahawks got the ball back and after 13 plays and five passes, Wilson found wide receiver Tyler Lockett in the end zone for a four yard pass to tie the game at 7-7.
Cam Newton was dominating again in the game as he rushed for 47 yards and two touchdowns. The best matchup of the game was defending Defensive Player of the Year cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver DK Metcalf. The two went at it as Metcalf made an amazing grab for a touchdown in the second quarter to tie the game at 14-14 at the end of the first half. The matchup was so intense that it started a minor brawl between both team’s sidelines.
The Seahawks dominated for most of the second half, as Wilson was fantastic throughout the game. Wilson went 21/28 in attempts with 288 passing yards and five touchdown passes. Wide receiver David Moore and the rookie wide receiver Freddie Swain both contributed to touchdown catches in the third quarter to put the Seahawks in the lead 28-17 heading into the fourth quarter.
Wide receiver Julian Edelman was clutch in the fourth quarter, making two huge first down catches for the Patriots. Newton easily found fullback Jakob Johnson for a touchdown catch, but failed to complete the two point conversion, bringing the Patriots just five short of the Seahawks.
Wilson’s go ahead pass to running back Chris Carson proved to be the go ahead play for the Seahawks as the Patriots failed to convert a touchdown in the final seconds of the game after a huge stop of Newton by defensive end L.J Collier. The game ended 35-30 as the Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots.
SEAHAWKS STUFF CAM AT THE GOALLINE FOR THE WIN 😱
(via @nfl)pic.twitter.com/RWOpsoF7Eo
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 21, 2020
Both teams were dominating, but it was the Seahawks defense that came in clutch during the second half to help seal the win. Safety Jamal Adams made two great plays on Newton in the second half as he ended the game with one sack, two quarterback hits, and six solo tackles.
Seahawks’ coach Pete Carroll was happy after his team’s win and loved to see the celebration by the players on the sidelines after the win. “It’s an extraordinary moment for football players and for a team” said Carroll to ESPN. “There’s so much intensity in that moment. The guys on the field will never forget it.”
Newton reflected on his miss opportunity in the last seconds of the fourth quarter, where he failed to convert a touchdown as he was taken down by the Seahawks defense.
“I just didn’t make everybody right and that’s the only thing I regret” Newton said according to USA Today. “I saw the clip of it; I could’ve made it right by just bouncing it. I was just trying to be patient. Just thinking too much, man. Or even just diving over the top. There’s so many things that flashed over me.”
The Seahawks are now 2-0 in the season as they will host the Dallas Cowboys, who are coming off an incredible win over the Falcons, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. As for the Patriots, they will travel back to Massachusetts to host the Las Vegas Raiders for an early 1PM EST game at Gillette Stadium.