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Players to Watch: Patriots at Seahawks
Patriots.com's Mike Dussault shares his players to watch ahead of the Patriots Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, September 20, 2020.


Cam Newton, QB - Newton burst onto the scene against the Dolphins, rushing for 75 yards and two touchdowns and showing remarkable efficiency throughout the opening game. He's won in Seattle once before but overall is 1-5 in his career against the Seahawks. The Patriots have had some memorable battles against Seattle and Cam will be needed to build on his first performance to get the win.

Adrian Phillips, DB – Phillips led the Patriots in tackles against Miami and also grabbed an interception. He was an immediate contributor despite missing some time in training camp due to injury. After some turnover at the safety position, Phillips looks exactly like what the Patriots needed this season and his role should continue to grow.

N'Keal Harry, WR – Harry had a disappointing fumble out of the end zone against Miami, just as he was starting to find some rhythm in the passing game. He'll need to bounce back quickly because Seattle gave up 450 passing yards to the Falcons and the Patriots will need to lean more on their pass catchers than they did against Miami if they're to keep pace with the Seahawks offense.

Ryan Izzo, TE – Izzo was one of the most pleasant surprises of the opener, looking much improved while playing nearly every snap. While he did his most impressive work in the run game, the Patriots could use some more seam plays like the 25-yard catch he had against Miami. Again, Seattle's pass defense will be targeted and an expanded receiving role could be in the gameplan for Izzo.

Devin McCourty, DB – Russell Wilson has one of the best deep balls in the league and it will be up to McCourty to keep the back end of the defense in line. Avoiding the big, downfield passing plays will be one of the most critical elements of the defensive gameplan and McCourty should have it on lockdown.

Russell Wilson, QB – Wilson was nearly perfect in Week 1 against the Falcons, completing 31-of-35 passes for 322 yards and four touchdowns. Wilson had similar success in his last game against the Patriots in 2016 and while the Pats held on and beat him in Super Bowl 49, he's given New England everything they can handle in each of his three games against them.

DK Metcalf, WR – Metcalf had 900 yards receiving as a rookie and chipped in with four catches for 95 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against Atlanta. At 6'4", 230 pounds he has unique size and speed to threaten the Patriots secondary and joins with Tyler Lockett to form the Seahawks top two targets.

Chris Carson, RB – Carson had two touchdowns in Week 1 and is a balanced running back who can do it all for Seattle. The Patriots will have to give special attention to the versatile back, who can line up anywhere in the formation and gives the Seahawks a potent weapon to attack the Patriots in a number of different ways.

Jamal Adams, S – The former Jet was all over the field for Seattle against the Falcons, tallying 12 tackles, a sack, two QB hits and two tackles-for-loss. Adams will be heavily involved against the Patriots and will be a key player as the Seahawks try to neutralize Cam Newton.

Bobby Wagner, LB – One of the few holdovers from Super Bowl 49, Wagner is still the centerpiece of the defense in his ninth season. If the Patriots are to get their ground game going like it was against Miami, they'll need a plan to deal with the active middle linebacker.