SEATTLE — New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions in the fourth quarter of Wednesday night’s 13-10 season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the last of them in the end zone with New England already in field goal range, and called the night unacceptable.
Maye finished 23 of 33 for 178 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3 interceptions at Lumen Field. Through three quarters, he was 17 of 22 with the touchdown, no interceptions, and no sacks taken. In the fourth quarter, he went 6 of 11 with the three interceptions and was sacked three times, according to ESPN Research.
New England led 10-0 early in the third quarter.
Maye said the Patriots had a plan to chip away and stay patient.
“I thought we had the game under control,” Maye said. “I thought we had a good plan to try to start chipping away and be patient. Lost patience and it cost us. Decisions that cost us the game on my part, on my end. I vow to myself to be better and realize it’s a long season. But at the same time, you can’t have those. It’s unacceptable.”
Drake Maye Said He Forced the Deep Ball To Romeo Doubs
Seattle turned the first two interceptions into 10 fourth-quarter points. The first came on a deep ball to Romeo Doubs in heavy coverage. The second came on third-and-14, on a throw over the middle to DeMario Douglas.
Maye said he forced the throw to Doubs.
“That wasn’t how I play football and how I want to represent my game and playing quarterback for the Patriots,” Maye explained.
Seattle went ahead on a 26-yard field goal with 5:53 to play.
Josh Jobe Intercepted Drake Maye In the End Zone At the Seattle 16
Trailing by three, the Patriots drove to the Seattle 16-yard line with 26 seconds left. Kicker Andy Borregales was well within range for a tying attempt from that spot, and he had made a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter.
On third-and-5, Maye was fading backward as he threw toward Mack Hollins on the right side of the end zone. Seattle cornerback Josh Jobe intercepted it.
New England had a cut protection called on the play, and Maye was trying to get the ball out.
“It was something where we had a certain protection on, we were cutting [with offensive tackles], and I was trying to get rid of it,” Maye said. “I realized Mack was there in the back and didn’t put enough on it to get it out [of bounds]. It was just unacceptable. With a chance to send it to overtime at the worst, and the only thing you can do is turn the ball [for that not to happen], that’s what I did.”
New England attempted one field goal all night.
Baker Mayfield Is the Only Other Quarterback With Three Fourth-Quarter Interceptions In an Opener
Maye became the second quarterback in the past 25 seasons to throw three interceptions in the fourth quarter of a season opener. Baker Mayfield did it with the Cleveland Browns in 2019.
He is also the first quarterback to throw three interceptions and take three sacks in a fourth quarter since Jameis Winston did it for the New Orleans Saints in Week 2 of 2022 against Tampa Bay, per ESPN Research.
Last season, including the playoffs, Maye had one game with multiple interceptions. That was Super Bowl LX, a 29-13 loss to Seattle on Feb. 8.
Drake Maye Led the NFL In Passer Rating and Completion Percentage In 2025
In 2025, Maye completed 354 of 492 attempts for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, with a 113.5 passer rating. He made his second Pro Bowl and was named second-team All-Pro.
Seattle played without starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who left in the first quarter with a hip injury. Drew Lock finished the game.
New England played the second half without receiver A.J. Brown, who left with an ankle injury in his Patriots debut and did not return.
The Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 20 at noon CT.
