Experts share their picks for the Patriots Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Mike Reiss, ESPN:
Pick: Patriots 24, Seahawks 21
The motivated offensive line has heard about what unfolded in the Super Bowl all offseason, and if it delivers the type of performance it is capable of, this is a game where Drake Maye, A.J. Brown, Rhamondre Stevenson and Co., can lead the team to victory.
Matt Bowen, ESPN: Seahawks
Mike Clay, ESPN: Seahawks
Chris Fowler, ESPN: Seahawks
Dan Graziano, ESPN: Patriots
Pamela Maldonado, ESPN: Seahawks
Eric Moody, ESPN: Seahawks
Jason Reid, ESPN: Seahawks
Ben Solak, ESPN: Patriots
Seth Wickersham, ESPN: Seahawks
NFL.COM
Jeremy Bergman, NFL.com: Seahawks 31, Patriots 24
Brooke Cersosimo, NFL.com: Seahawks 24, Patriots 20
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com: Seahawks 26, Patriots 13
Bobby Kownack, NFL.com: Seahawks 27, Patriots 21
Dan Parr, NFL.com: Seahawks 24, Patriots 21
Why Dan picked the Seahawks: I'm expecting a much more competitive contest than what we saw when the Patriots and Seahawks met in February -- a 29-13 shellacking by Seattle -- mainly because I have concerns about the condition of the Hawks' run game and the back end of the defense. As you might recall, those two facets played leading roles in propelling Mike Macdonald's team to the top last season. The SB LX MVP, Kenneth Walker III, departed in the offseason, and Zach Charbonnet is on the PUP list. That means rookie Jadarian Price and third-year pro George Holani, who has made his bones on special teams so far, will be asked to carry the bulk of the rushing load. Are they up to the challenge against a defense that didn't allow a 100-yard rusher until Week 12 last season?
Also, the Seahawks lost safety Coby Bryant and corner Riq Woolen in free agency. They will be without starting safety Ty Okada, while nickelback Nick Emmanwori is questionable to play as he returns from ankle surgery. Any coverage breakdowns as the new secondary gains its footing could be costly against an offense undoubtedly anxious to feature marquee offseason acquisition A.J. Brown.
Ultimately, I don't trust the Patriots' offensive line -- last seen being ripped to shreds by Seattle's fearsome front -- enough to pick the upset, but I do believe in OC Josh McDaniels' promise that the rematch will be different.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports:
Pick: Seahawks 26, Patriots 14
This rematch of the February Super Bowl will go much like that game. The Seahawks will dominate. Opening on the road in this stadium is a tough ask for any team. The Patriots' offense didn't play well in the postseason and didn't against Seattle in the Super Bowl. That plays out again here. Seattle wins it.
Jared Dubin, CBS Sports: Seahawks
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Seahawks
John Breech, CBS Sports: Seahawks
Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports: Seahawks
Dave Richard, CBS Sports: Patriots
Jamey Eisenburg, CBS Sports: Seahawks
Pro Football Talk
Mike Florio: Patriots 24, Seahawks 21
Paul Perillo, Patriots.com:
Pick: Seahawks 27, Patriots 23
Seattle does just enough to avoid Patriots upset in the opener.
Mike Dussault, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 26, Seahawks 24
Tough way to open a season for the Pats but they were undefeated on the road last year and I think we'll see a similar kind of gritty resolve. With starters from both teams seeing their first live tackling action since the Super Bowl, I expect it to be a bit messy, but NE pulls it out.
Evan Lazar, Patriots.com:
Pick: Seahawks 28, Patriots 24
My heart wants to pick the Patriots to make a statement, and I think the game will be much more competitive than the Super Bowl, but the home team on banner night is 17-4 since the league started having them open the season – Seahawks in an instant classic.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
