Position grades from the Patriots’ loss to the Seahawks

The New England Patriots suffered a 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in their Week 1 matchup, signaling a return to form from their end-of-season collapse. The tight contest highlighted the struggles of the visiting Patriots, as their turnover differential and current 0-1 record failed to reflect their true performance. Revisiting the game through broadcast copy and coach's film, we can assess the position grades from the Patriots' defeat.

Quarterback Drake Maye displayed patience and accuracy in the first three quarters, avoiding any damaging mistakes. However, his performance deteriorated in the fourth quarter, leading to three interceptions. These turnovers proved to be a turning point for New England, ultimately contributing to their loss. Maye's overall grade is D+.

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson faced a challenging task, carrying the load as TreVeyon Henderson was sidelined. Stevenson gained just 51 yards on 18 carries, resulting in a poor 2.8-yard average. He also made a notable tackle on Drake Maye but struggled to find consistent running lanes. Stevenson's grade is B-.

The Patriots' wide receiver corps encountered difficulties during their debut game. A.J. Brown suffered a high-ankle sprain after catching three passes for 26 yards, while Romeo Doubs was unable to make a reception on his three targets, including an interception and a dropped pass. DeMario Douglas proved to be the most reliable target, finishing with five catches for 20 yards.

Mack Hollins provided significant support to Maye in the final drive, amassing 51 receiving yards. His interception also contributed to the game-ending result. Hollins' grade is C-.

The tight ends saw a mixed performance, with only Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon actively involved. Henry recorded three catches for 26 yards but failed to come off the line quickly enough on the final interception. Raridon caught the season's opening touchdown and provided a crucial block on a key run. However, he also had two runs stuffed. His grade is B.

The offensive line's performance was a significant concern for the Patriots. The running game struggled, with Stevenson and Kiner gaining just 62 yards on the ground combined, with 59 of those yards coming after contact. The line demonstrated improvement in pass protection since the Super Bowl, yet Maye faced pressure on 38.1% of his dropbacks, resulting in three sacks. Alijah Vera-Tucker and Jared Wilson both struggled with consistency. The offensive line's grade is C.

The defensive line faced early pressure from the Seahawks, who amassed 97 yards on 22 carries (4.4 yards per attempt). While the defensive line displayed some solid moments, both inside and on the edge, they failed to consistently pressure the opposing quarterback. Dre'Mont Jones provided the best pass rush, contributing to two sacks, while Christian Barmore showed significant impact on the interior. The defensive line's grade is B.

The linebackers, Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss, were the primary defenders. They registered a combined 12 tackles but missed three takedown opportunities. Spillane also struggled to contain quarterback Drew Lock during an outside scramble. Overall, the linebackers debuted adequately but were unable to create significant impact plays from the second level. Their grade is C.

The cornerbacks, Christian Gonzalez and the rest of the cornerback corps, showcased a strong defensive performance. Gonzalez maintained his status as the highest-paid cornerback in football, providing a shutout in 10 coverage matchups. The other cornerbacks also performed at a high level, with the only notable blemish being Marcus Jones' 24-yard catch that resulted in a third-down conversion. Their grade is C+.