The New England Patriots have exceeded expectations through two weeks, despite falling to 1-1 after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Sunday’s 23-20 defeat was a game the Patriots could have easily won, with head coach Jerod Mayo’s decision to punt in overtime drawing scrutiny. The move ultimately allowed the Seahawks to secure the win, leaving Patriots fans wondering what could have been.
The Patriots dominated large stretches of the game, with a Joey Slye field goal block in the fourth quarter proving a turning point. Up by three with a chance to extend their lead to six, the block kept the Seahawks within striking distance. Despite this, the Patriots nearly emerged victorious in regulation, only to be denied by the Seahawks’ overtime heroics.
Mayo’s punt call will be debated, but the Patriots’ encouraging start to the season cannot be ignored. With a strong performance against the Seahawks, they have shown they can compete with top-tier teams. As they move forward, the Patriots will look to build on this promise and iron out the mistakes that cost them victory. Can they bounce back and continue to defy expectations?