Looking at the big stories and key matchups in Sunday’s Week 2 game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.
On Sunday the Jerod Mayo era officially kicks off in Foxborough. Mayo and the New England Patriots will host the Seattle Seahawks in the home opener, trying to improve to 2-0 on the season.
This will be the first inter-conference test for Mayo and this new coaching staff. Playing teams from the opposite conference can be tricky because the teams play much less often, leading to a lot of change and less carryover in preparation for the matchups.
LISTEN: Sports Hub Patriots Podcast Week 2 preview w/Andrew Callahan
That’s certainly the case for the Patriots and Seahawks this week. Sunday will be the first meeting between the teams in almost four years – exactly. They last played Week 2 of the 2020 season, when the Cam Newton-led Patriots went punch-for-punch with the Russell Wilson-led Seahawks, losing 35-30 after getting stopped at the goal line on the final play.
A lot has changed on both sides since that game – as is usually the case in the NFL over a four-year period. This offseason specifically both sides underwent a major change moving on from their long-time head coaches and replacing them with young, first-time defensive minded coaches. In Seattle, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald was hired to replace Pete Carroll after 14 seasons. Of course in New England, Mayo was promoted in place of Bill Belichick.
Still, all of that movement doesn’t mean these two sides are total unknowns to each other. We’ll start there as we begin this week’s ‘5 Things’…
Familiar foes on the sidelines
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 24: Head Coach Mike Macdonald of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during an NFL preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Lumen Field on August 24, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images)
While these coaching staffs may be new to their respective franchises, they’re not new to each other. This AFC East versus NFC West matchup should have an AFC North flavor to it, with Mike Macdonald bringing his Ravens defensive system into this matchup against current Patriots and former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
Macdonald joined the Ravens in 2022, meaning there are two years of game between him and Van Pelt as opposing coordinators. The teams split those four games, with Van Pelt’s offenses averaging 17.3 points per game.
“There’s definitely carryover,” Van Pelt said on Thursday when asked about Macdonald. “You see some of the schematic similarities that he’s taken now to Seattle. Obviously [they’re] very well coached defense. They do a great job. Baltimore was one of the toughest defenses we faced in Cleveland last year. So the scheme is similar.“
Given that familiarity, new wrinkles from either side could create an advantage in this meeting. That’s especially true for Van Pelt after the Patriots’ offense hammered similar concepts for most of their Week 1 performance. Supplementing that run-heavy and quick-pass approach with more play-action and intermediate or deep passing concepts could get Seattle off-guard.
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Speaking on Thursday, Van Pelt did acknowledge there will be more options for him to choose from when calling plays this week.
“Without getting into specifics, there were some more things that I’d like to [have] had on the call sheet that I did not have in this game [against the Bengals],” Van Pelt replied when asked to evaluate his performance in Week 1. “I think we put some of those in in this call sheet. Just felt like there were some times when I wanted to do something differently and I didn’t have it on the sheet. So this week it’s more of a complete sheet.”
Van Pelt also highlighted his trust in the offense’s ability to change things up when needed. “I think that’s one of our identities as an offense for us when we talk about it being multiple and versatile,” he said. “I’ve told the guys in the room we might run it 40 times this week and throw it 40 times the next week based on the defense.”
On his part, Jerod Mayo also sounded ready this week to be more flexible after talking about being a ‘run-first’ offense earlier in the week. Mayo interrupted a question about what would happen when teams start loading up the box against the Patriots to stop the run by saying, ”then we turn into a pass team. When I say we’re going to run the ball, if you want to load up the box, then we’ll throw the ball.” We’ll see if they back those claims up with the gameplan on Sunday.
The Patriots’ left tackle situation
Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (59) blocks Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. (3) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
If the Patriots do want to have a more involved passing game this week, giving Jacoby Brissett more time to operate will be key. Brissett was the most pressured quarterback in the NFL in Week 1, facing heat on 48.3 percent of his dropbacks per NFL Next Gen Stats. About half of those pressures came from the left tackle spot.
Three of those came on the first drive and a half, when starter Chuks Okorafor struggled. He was later replaced by Vederian Lowe, who looked like the starter for most of camp but came into that game limited with an abdominal injury he suffered before the final preseason game. Lowe was better, but still allowed four pressures on 23 pass blocking snaps.
Based on practice this week, it looks like Lowe is in line to get the start on Sunday. That should help, especially as he’s another week removed from that injury.
Whoever is at left tackle will have their hands full in this one with a talented Seattle defensive front. The biggest pass rushing threat is linebacker Boye Mafe, who rushed off both edges last week. Mafe had nine pressures in 39 pass rushing snaps.
The Patriots will be tested on the interior too. Against the run and pass the Seahawks were disruptive up the middle last week. Veteran tackle Leonard Williams was on top of his game to kick off his 10th NFL season, and first-round pick Byron Murphy II was one of the standout rookies across the league in that game. Nose tackle Jonathan Hankins adds a force against the run.
“They’re fast off the ball. They’re quick twitch,” Patriots guard Michal Jordan told 98.5 The Sports Hub this week when discussing the Seattle front. “A lot of smart players who know the game’s ins and outs. That’s going to be a great challenge.”
That group will be a test for guards Jordan and rookie guard Layden Robinson, who coaches raved about coming out of the game. “He’s got some traits that could make him a very good player…He’s done a nice job but he knows there’s a lot of room to grow,” offensive line coach Scott Peters said on Thursday.
Robinson does have room to improve though – particularly recognizing and picking up pass rush games – something Macdonald’s defense will certainly throw at the Patriots this week.
What will Seattle’s offensive line look like?
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 22: Charles Cross #67 of the Seattle Seahawks in action against the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at Lumen Field on October 22, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Patriots aren’t the only team in this matchup facing offensive line questions. It’s just one week in, but the Seahawks have injury issues almost across the board. Right tackle George Fant (knee) missed practice both Wednesday and Thursday, which is typically a sign a player won’t play. Meanwhile starting guards Laken Tomlinson (ankle) and Anthony Bradford (knee) were full participants but listed all week on the injury report as well. While battling those injuries last week the Seahawks allowed Geno Smith to be pressured 35.7 percent of the time, which ranked 14th in the NFL.
This could be an area where the Patriots take advantage to try and make things easy on their pass rush – particularly on their top pass rusher Keion White. Look for the Patriots to move White around the line as they did last week, but where they put him in key moments will be interesting to track. Will they line him up across from starting left tackle Charles Cross to allow him to rush from the blindside? Put him against backup right tackle Stone Forsythe?
White’s ability to generate pressure without the need for blitzes or line games was a major boost for the Patriots’ defense last week – well beyond his two and a half sacks (which didn’t hurt). Against a fully-stocked Seattle passing game, he’s a player they need to find a way to maximize in this matchup.
Facing a weaker offensive line is also good news for a Patriots team that has room to improve against the run. The Bengals didn’t test the Patriots’ run defense much last week but had success when they did, picking up 4.4 yards per carry.
On the other hand running the ball was crucial for Seattle last week. The Seahawks ran for 146 yards total and 4.4 yards per carry. With the Patriots general defensive philosophy being to take away big plays and allow incremental ball movement, that run game should be a factor this week.
The Patriots may catch a break though, once again related to injuries. In addition to being banged up on the line, Seattle may also be without star running back Kenneth Walker III, who hasn’t practiced this week. Walker ran for 103 yards and 5.2 yards per carry last week. He’s a handful to bring down, and is a mismatch against defenses using lighter personnel and playing further off the line to defend the pass. Backup running back Zach Charbonnet isn’t the same kind of impact runner.
Latest test in the Gonzalez Gauntlet
Sep 8, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) is tackled by New England Patriots corner back Christian Gonzalez (0) in the second quarter at Paycor Stadium. Credit: Albert Cesare/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
What a start it’s been in the career of cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Through his first five NFL games he’s faced nothing but superstar wide receivers – AJ Brown, Tyreek Hill, Garrett Wilson, and CeeDee Lamb last year before his injury, and then Ja’Marr Chase in the opener this year.
Despite that All-Pro lineup he’s been up against, Gonzalez has passed every test so far. In those five games he’s been targeted just 27 times on 165 coverage snaps, allowing 19 catches for 172 yards, with an interceptions and two pass deflections. Opposing quarterbacks have a 71.8 rating when targeting him. That includes an impressive performance against Chase last week when he allowed just three catches for 14 yards.
Gonzalez will face another tough test this week in D.K. Metcalf. Metcalf also presents a new sort of challenge, as one of the most physically imposing wide receivers in the league.
While Metcalf is the latest in a list of star receivers he’s faced (and will face, with games against Wilson, Brandon Aiyuk, Hill, and Stefon Diggs ahead on the schedule), Gonzalez says to him these matchups are just part of being a pro.
“It’s the NFL, so regardless, you’re going to see a great receiver week in and week out. It’s the best of the best up here for a reason,” Gonzalez told 98.5 The Sports Hub this week. “I knew this first six weeks we got is – they got some receivers in there. The Gauntlet is kind of what I claimed at the beginning of the year. But it’s fun. It’s what you want as a corner.”
Heading into this matchup, Gonzalez will have some good tape to study. Last week Metcalf faced one of the best cornerbacks in the league in Pat Surtain, who held him to three catches for 29 yards.
After a summer where he didn’t meet admittedly high expectations, Gonzalez’s opening-week performance was a very encouraging sign for a Patriots defense that needs him to play at a blue-chip level in order to maximize its potential. A similar game against Metcalf would only further confirm Gonzalez is in fact the kind of player he showed he could be during his brief rookie season.
Still, the Patriots will have to worry about more than just Metcalf. On the other side is Tyler Lockett, who is still proving to be a productive NFL player entering his 10th NFL season. The Patriots have their own veteran to counter Lockett in Jonathan Jones, in another key matchup. That likely leaves Marcus Jones in the slot to cover Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Continuing to win on special teams
New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye (13) reacts with New England Patriots punter Bryce Baringer (17) in the third quarter of the NFL game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. Photo Credit: Albert Cesare/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Last week’s high level special team performance was a big reason the Patriots were able to win their game. They’ll need a similar effort this week against a talented Seahawks team.
That doesn’t have to include another forced fumble by Joe Cardona (although that would certainly help). It’s more about playing another clean game, and not giving up any hidden yardage.
It’s more just about taking advantage of the ‘gimmies’ and not making things harder than they need to be. The Patriots did a great job of that last week, with no major execution issues visible after a penalty on the opening kickoff.
Special teams is a spot where underdogs can level the playing field. The Patriots used this phase to tip the game in their favor last week – can they do it again?
