The New England Patriots drop their home opener to the Seattle Seahawks 23-20 after a game winning field goal in overtime from Jason Myers on Sunday at Gilette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

 New England trailed by four entering the 4^th quarter, but Rhamondre Stevenson would punch it in from one yard out to take a 20-17 with 12 minutes remaining. Then, after forcing a punt, the Patriots would have a chance to add to their lead, but Joey Slye’s 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Julian Love.

Geno Smith would then march the Seahawks down the field and into scoring range, which allowed Jason Myers to knock down a 38-yard kick to tie the game at 20 a piece with 55 seconds left.

The Patriots had an opportunity to take the game late, but went 3-and-out and punted the ball back to Seattle, who then kneeled to send the game to OT.

New England won the coin toss, but immediately went 3-and-out yet again.

After forcing the stop, the Seahawks would charge 71 yards downfield as Smith would complete 5 of 7 passing attempts to set up Myers’ 31-yard walk off field goal and move to 2-0.

Seattle were led by QB Geno Smith, who conducted their near perfect offensive display through the air. Smith recorded 327 yards on 33/44 passing for a touchdown.

Smith biggest targets were DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njiba, who were nearly seemingly un-guardable. Metcalf totaled for 129 yards on 10 receptions including a 56-yard touchdown. Smith-Njiba caught 12 passes for 117 yards.

Leonard Williams was a stone wall for the Seattle defense and kept Jacoby Brissett uncomfortable in the pocket. Williams gathered 4 total tackles, 1.5 sack, and 4 QB hits.

For New England. Rhamondre Stevenson continues to be one of the few bright spots on a troubled offense. Stevenson ran for 81 yards on 21 carries with a TD.

Hunter Henry added 8 receptions for 109 yards.

QB Jacoby Brissett threw for 149 yards on 15/27 passing with a TD, which was caught by Ja’Lynn Polk for his 1^st career score.

On defense, Keion White continued to showcase his ability early during what could be his breakout season, as he recorded 7 total tackles, 1.5 sack, 1 TFL, and 2 QB hits.

Kyle Dugger assisted with 9 total tackles, 3 TFLs, and 1 sack.

New England Lacking Explosion

After showing little progress last week and looking to further steps in the right direction, the Patriots’ offense seemed to revert to their struggled ways.

Though only two games into the season, New England has shown an inability to force the ball down field and showcase vertical threat. Against the Seahawks, Jacoby Brissett only threw the ball 10 or more yards downfield five times and only completed one of them.

“We definitely have to start getting the ball down the field,” said head coach Jerod Mayo. “We’ve got to start pushing the ball down the field. We’ve got to be able to run. We’ve got to be able to pass”.

New England has many young wide receivers, who seemingly are being under-utilized. Through two games, Patriots’ receivers have only caught 11 passes collectively.

“Obviously, we would like more in our passing game,” said QB Jacoby Brissett. “I got to do a better job at getting those guys involved in the game plan and throughout the game. I take responsibility for that”.

Last season, DeMario Douglas displayed his potential as an offensive playmaker for New England, but so far this season, hasn’t seen the ball much.

“We have to get [DeMario Douglas] going,” said Jerod Mayo. “We have to scheme up some things for him. He’s one of our most explosive players. That’s on us as coaches”.

The Patriots offensive line also isn’t doing the passing offense any favors. Against the Seahawks, Brissett was sacked three times, hit eight times, and forced to throw on the run once being rushed outside the pocket.

“There’s things I thought we did well today. There’s things we got to improve on,” said center David Andrews. “I thought Jacoby got hit too much”.

“We’ve got to get some more production out of our pass game and, like I’ve always said, that’s a team effort,” said David Andrews.

Defensively, the Patriots were stout, as they only allowed three points in the 2^nd half, but defensive end Keion White expressed that the defense needs to improve to close out games.

“The offense did what they needed to do for us to win today,” said White. “I feel like as a defense, we need to play better, me included. The D-line, DBs, linebackers, everybody. We need to go to the drawing board, watch the film and see how we can improve”.

Jonathan Jones of the New England defense was upset after the game because of a late call. On the Seahawks last drive during overtime, Jones was flagged for defensive pass interference for a play that many felt shouldn’t have been penalized and cost the Patriots the game.

Jones told reporters that Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett told him that it wasn’t a penalty.

“It sucks because I feel like that was the paly of the game,” said Jonathan Jones.

Up Next

The New England Patriots have a quick turnaround, as the travel to face the New York Jets Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks return home to take on the Miami Dolphins.