After a Week 1 win over the Dolphins, who finished last year 5-11, the Patriots will face a much tougher test this Sunday night in Seattle against the Seahawks.
Aside from a N’Keal Harry fumble out of the end zone, things could not have gone much better for the Patriots offense and Cam Newton. As a team, it ran for 269 yards, including 75 from Newton alone. Knowing how Seattle plays defense, more passing plays likely will be needed.
On the other side of the field, Seattle’s offense posses a much tougher test than Miami and veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. This week, Bill Belichick raved about Russell Wilson, calling him underrated by the fans and media, and he obviously will make a few plays. Besides Wilson, the Seahawks also have Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf at the receiver position, who will certainly test the Patriots secondary, and then Chris Carson in the backfield.
Patriots vs. Seahawks
Sunday, Sept. 18, 2020
8:20 p.m., NBC
Patriots +4, over/under 44.5
3 keys the game
Get passing game going
After only passing the ball 19 times against Miami in Week 1, that will likely have to change in Week 2 against the Seahawks as Pete Carroll is too good of a coach to allow Newton and the Patriots to run all over them. The key to the passing game is Harry, as Julian Edelman cannot do it all, especially at age 34. It also will be worth watching how much rookie tight end Devin Asiasi is involved in the gameplan, as he didn’t do anything last week. Not only is this important this week, but for the rest of the year as if the Patriots want to compete with the AFC’s best, they are going to need to pass the ball.
Keep Wilson, Seattle passing offense in check
Last week against Atlanta, Wilson threw for 322 yards and four touchdowns on 31-for-35 passing, and Metcalf and Lockett each had over 90 yards receiving. If this is the case again this week, the Patriots have no chance. They are not built for shootouts. If Stephon Gilmore and JC Jackson can keep these wide receivers in check, it will definitely help the cause in potentially pulling off an upset.
Force a turnover or make big special teams play
There’s no question the Seahawks are the better team, so in order for the Patriots to somehow get a win, they need a few things to go their way, whether that’s a defensive score, a special teams touchdown, etc. With all that being said, dating back to last season, Seattle has gone four straight games without a turnover.
Fun facts
1. Newton needs 48 yards rushing to move past Randall Cunningham and into second place in NFL history for the most rushing yards by a quarterback.
2. The Patriots are 22-3, including the postseason, when Julian Edelman catches a touchdown.
3. In their last 32 games, including the postseason. when rushing for 100 yards or more as a team, the Patriots are 29-3.
4. Since 2001 in the regular season, the Patriots are 166-28 when scoring first.
5. Since 2010, the Seahawks are 19-3 in primetime home games.
Prediction
Seahawks 27, Patriots 20
This is a great test for the Patriots as Seattle is one of the best teams in the entire league, so given all the changes this offseason, a moral victory could actually be had in this game. If the Patriots have any chance, they need to get off to a good start because they are not built to come from behind. In the end, all the Seattle weapons will prove to be too much and the Seahawks will come away with a win, but in a game that comes down to the final quarter, and even potentially last possession
