New England Patriots Season Opener Takeaways

The New England Patriots opened up their 2026 season on Wednesday night in a Super Bowl 60 rematch with the Seattle Seahawks, and they were once again bested by the champs, which is becoming a theme at this point.

Drake Maye had a particularly rough night throwing the ball, as he had three interceptions including one that sealed the game on the final play, right in the end zone which added salt to the wound.

So what is to be made of the Patriots’ performance tonight?

Drake Maye Can Be Better, And He Will Have To Move Forward

We all pretty much know what Drake Maye is at this point: one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but many people just don’t want to give him that kind of respect because he’s not been around or done as much as guys like Mahomes, Jackson, or Stafford.

But tonight was an uncharacteristically bad night for him. Three interceptions will lose you almost any game on any day, which proved to be true today for New England. And for the most part it wasn’t anyone’s fault but his own. 

The first pick was certainly not his fault as it was just one of those awkward breakups with a bounce that didn’t go their way, but the next two were all on him.

Moving forward, Maye will be under a microscope as everyone is likely foaming at the mouth for the opportunity to call him a flop or a one-season wonder, and how he performs from here on out will be crucial for how his stock is viewed among the public.

Too Many Questions At Receiver May Kill This Team

AJ Brown is already out with an ankle injury, Romeo Doubs was dropping passes that no pro should drop, and somehow Mack Hollins was the only guy you could really trust out there in the receiving corps.

If Brown’s injury isn’t as bad as we think, which it probably isn’t, he shouldn’t miss time. So that’s what is most important. But Romeo Doubs must work to be more reliable in big moments, because he will be needed in times when Brown isn’t out there, and as for Mack Hollins, just keep being Mr. Go-to.