Patriots Analysis

Ten Takeaways From the Patriots Week 2 Loss to the Seahawks

Published

2 months ago

September 15, 2024

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry

The New England Patriots appeared primed for their first 2-0 start since 2019 for most of the afternoon on Sunday. Unfortunately, a stalled offensive attack and blocked field goal attempt help lead to their downfall. The Seattle Seahawks forced overtime, with a field goal, then won it with another in OT. The 23-20 Seahawks win helped them remain undefeated, while the Patriots fell to 1-1.

Ten takeaways from the Patriots Week 2 loss:

Ja’Lynn Polk Scores His First NFL Touchdown

The only New England Patriots receiver to get 500 yards receiving as a rookie in the past ten years was DeMario Douglas (561 in 2023). Second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk did something on Sunday that Douglas did not accomplish as a rookie: Score a touchdown. With 5:00 remaining in the first quarter, Jacoby Brissett found Ja’Lynn Polk in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown. It marked Polk’s first NFL touchdown. It was also Brissett’s first touchdown pass for the Patriots (he had none during his first stint with the team in 2016).

FIRST @NFL TOUCHDOWN JA'LYNN POLK!!!!!@jpolk_22 | @JBrissett12 pic.twitter.com/loEvUOB7H9

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 15, 2024

Also Read – History, Common Players, and Fun Facts for Patriots-Seahawks

Hunter Henry Has a Target on His Hands

The Patriots went to tight end Hunter Henry early and often on Sunday. Brissett targeted Henry 11 times. He caught eight passes for a career-high 109 yards. Although his production slowed in the second half, Henry kept the chains moving on several key drives for New England. The new offensive coaching staff helped David Njoku reach Pro Bowl status in Cleveland last year. Their desire to make the tight end a focus of the offensive game plan was on full display Sunday.

Who’s Got DK Metcalf?

One of the keys to the game for New England heading into the game was preventing big plays. This was particularly true for Seahawks star wide receiver DK Metcalf. However, Metcalf managed to do damage. Defensive backs Kyle Dugger and Christian Gonzalez got their signals crossed in the first quarter. Neither player covered Metcalf, who caught a pass from Geno Smith and galloped into the end zone for a 56-yard score.

DK Metcalf WIDE OPEN for a 56-yard TD!

📺: #SEAvsNE on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/nLjzMeiUub

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

Questionable Calls and Non-Calls on Pass Interference

An attempt from Jacoby Brissett to find Rhamondre Stevenson in the end zone on a wheel route fell incomplete. It appeared obvious that Seattle’s defensive back hit Stevenson’s body with the ball in the air. Later in the first half, New England cornerback Marco Wilson was called for pass interference by bringing down Seattle’s receiver on what appeared to be an uncatchable ball. Patriots fans were unhappy with the call only being made in one direction. From this perspective, it appeared that pass interference calls were warranted on both plays.

In overtime, cornerback Jonathan Jones was flagged for another pass interference call. That one appeared to be incorrect.

DeMario Douglas, MIA

After a productive rookie season, even bigger things were expected out of DeMario Douglas in his second season. He was the predicted winner of the 2024 John Hannah Award as the Patriots Offensive Player of the Year. However, Douglas had only two targets for one reception against Cincinnati in Week 2. Against Seattle, Douglas had no official targets. The lone pass in his direction was called for pass interference on Seattle. It is not the start to the season that many, this scribe included, expected for Douglas.

Ground Game Gets the Job Done

The New England Patriots wanted to establish themselves as a “run first” team in 2024. They certainly did that in Week 1 behind a terrific effort from Rhamondre Stevenson, who finished with 120 yards and a touchdown. Stevenson got help in Week 2. Stevenson enjoyed another solid day, rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. He did fumble for the second week in a row, though once again the Patriots recovered to avoid the turnover.

Antonio Gibson chipped in nicely against Seattle. He picked up 96 yards on 11 carries. This included a 45-yard pickup on what could have been a loss.

GIBSON GETTING AWAYYY 🏃💨

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/uIRHhirEMJ

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 15, 2024

Special Teams Struggles

The New England Patriots special teams unit was sensational in Week 1. Against the Seahawks, things did not go as smoothly. The punt coverage allowed a 23-yard return in the first half that led to a Seattle field goal. In the fourth quarter Joey Slye had a chance to give the Patriots a six-point lead. Seattle blocked Slye’s 48-yard field goal attempt to set up a game-tying field goal of their own, leading to an overtime win for Seattle.

Defensive Studs

Two Patriots defenders stood out on Sunday. Safety Kyle Dugger had eight solo tackles and a sack. He also made a huge stop on fourth and one that got the ball back for New England in the third quarter. Seattle went from a scoring opportunity to playing defense. It was unclear if Dugger or Gonzalez (or both) were responsible for the coverage breakdown that led to D.K. Metcalf’s touchdown.

4th down 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 ✊@KingDugg_3 | #NEPats

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/je82SVYKyW

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 15, 2024

Keion White came to play again in Week 2. He finished with seven tackles and 1.5 sacks. White has 4.0 sacks in two games after finishing his rookie season with 1.0 in 2023.

New England Patriots Lose Three to Injury

The Patriots lost three players to injury in the game who did not return. Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (shoulder) exited early. Edge defender Oshane Ximines (knee) also exited the game and did not return. Left tackle Vederian Lowe was injured at the end of regulation and did not play during New England’s lone overtime drive, replaced by Caedan Wallace.