This week’s matchup will be only the fifth time these two teams have squared off since Bill Belichick took over as head coach, 20 years ago. This Sunday, the 1-0 New England Patriots travel to the 1-0 Seattle Seahawks. LFG.
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2020
Game Time: 8:20 EST
Venue: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Network: NBC
All-time record: Series tied 9-9 (including playoffs)
When They Last Met…
Seahawks 31 – 24 Patriots
November 13, 2016
The last time these teams met in 2016, the Patriots suffered what would be their final loss in a season that ended with them lifting their fifth Super Bowl title.
LeGarrette Blount scored the opening touchdown of the game inside the opening five minutes to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead. The Seahawks stalled but were able to kick consecutive field goals to cut the Patriots lead to a point at the end of the first quarter.
The teams scored back and forth in the second quarter with Russell Wilson finding Doug Baldwin in the endzone twice and Blount rushing for his second touchdown of the game. Halftime score, Seahawks 19 – 14 Patriots.
In the third quarter, Blount rushed for his third touchdown of the game, giving the Pats a 21-19 lead. Two field goals for Seattle and one for New England left the Seahawks with a 25-24 lead heading into the final five minutes of regulation.
After Julien Edelman fumbled, Seattle regained possession and Wilson found Baldwin on a 15-yard touchdown pass to increase their lead to seven.
Tom Brady executed a brilliant drive downfield, but the Pats stuttered just short of the goal-line, leading to a fourth-down pass to Rob Gronkowski which went incomplete with no flags, despite contact from a defender. A game that saw the lead change seven times ended in defeat for the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Performances
NE
QB T Brady 23/32 – 316 YDS – 1 INT
RB L Blount 21 carries – 69 YDS – 3 TD
TE M Bennett 7/7 – 102 YDS
WR J Edelman 7/9 – 99 YDS
SEA
QB R Wilson 25/37 – 348 YDS – 3 TD
WR D Baldwin 6/8 – 59 YDS – 3 TD
Key Matchup – Wilson vs Patriots Secondary
If the Patriots are going to win this Sunday, they have to stop Russell Wilson. And the key to that? The secondary group.
The Pats secondary had a solid start to their season against Miami on Sunday, holding them to just 11 points and picking off Ryan Fitzpatrick three times.
The three interceptions on Sunday were great, but let’s face it, we’re not facing a Fitzpatrick-like QB this week, we’re facing one the league MVP favorites, and the Patriots defense will have to be at their best.
Wilson is coming off a big performance, throwing 31/35, 322 YDS, 4 TDs as the Seahawks beat the Falcons 38-25.
Bill Belichick was very complimentary towards Wilson and recognized the threat he brings to Sunday’s game.
We’ve had a lot of trouble with him every time we’ve played him, they beat us here in 2016. It came down to the final play, but they hung up a lot of points on us, 30-some points. He’s had a variety of backs, a variety of receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen. Each time we play them, it seems like it’s quite a different group from the time we’ve played them before, ’12 to ’14 to ’16 to now.
Belichick on Wilson during his conference call this week
Tyler Lockett and D.K Metcalf both had near 100-yard games against Atlanta, they’ll be hoping to continue their good run of form, something which the Patriots receiving group hasn’t show since the first half of last season.
Although Wilson hasn’t thrown an interception since week 15 of last season, if there’s an opportunity for turnovers on Sunday, I back this Patriots secondary to take their chances.
Player Spotlight – Chase Winovich
Chase Winovich is one of my favorite Patriots, and he’s got a big role to play on the team’s defense this year.
The former Michigan Wolverine is one of a few Patriots we’re hoping will take a big second-year jump and he made a great start toward that against Miami.
Following a number of off-season departures, Winovich was on the field for 68% of the team’s defensive snaps against the Dolphins, in comparison to the 29% he recorded during the whole of last season.
Without the likes of Collins, Van Noy, and Shelton, Winovich showed his versatility in the opening game, playing multiple roles across the defensive line and was particularly noticeable on a number of occasions in the Pats run defense.
It’s great to see him take this opportunity like it may be his last, I feel like we’re going to see what he’s really made of this season, watch this space.
Familiar Faces
Coaching Staff:
HC Pete Caroll
STC Larry Izzo
D assistant Damione Lewis
Main Roster:
WR Phillip Dorsett
WR Josh Gordon
TE Jacob Hollister
Practice Squad:
QB Danny Etling
Did you know?- Former Patriots linebacker Larry Izzo was made interim special teams coordinator on September 11, following the departure of Brian Schneider.
Score Prediction: Patriots 20 – 32 Seahawks
I was pretty close in last week’s prediction, but I hope I’m off the mark this time. Seattle are favorites for a reason, and it’s going to be a thought game for the Patriots.
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