Patriots suddenly have multiple answers to their biggest problem against Seahawks

Despite being 3.5-point underdogs heading into a "revenge" game of sorts against the reigning Super Bowl champions, don't assume Drake Maye and Co. are destined for a second straight loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

In fact, you should expect the 2025 NFL MVP runner-up and his new sidekick to be the catalysts for a Week 1 upset over the dangerous duo of Sam Darnold and 2025 AP Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

With A.J. Brown quickly forming a connection with his young quarterback, the Patriots certainly look capable of putting up points in bunches, especially with free-agent signee Romeo Doubs rounding out the top of the depth chart.

Of course, the two highly paid wideouts aren't the only new faces that'll join the huddle with Maye. With former first-round pick Alijah Vera-Tucker expected to anchor the left guard spot next to second-year pro Will Campbell (who's off to a hot start in training camp), the Patriots should be much better up front.

And when you consider how the Seahawks silenced the league's biggest breakout star in the biggest game of the season, it's clear Maye and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels have all the tools at their disposal to beat the odds in a hostile environment.

A Week 1 upset shouldn't be a surprise for NFL fans, as they watch a Super Bowl rematch

Getting off to a hot start is already difficult if you have a road opener.

It's even more of a challenge when you have to face the reigning champions and the proverbial "12th Man" at Lumen Field.

However, at least one NFL reporter expects the Patriots to walk away 1-0 when the final whistle blows in the Sept. 9 season opener in Seattle.

In a recent piece on Fox Sports, Henry McKenna outlined how Maye and his new WR1 can combat a blitz-heavy Seahawks defense that made life miserable for McDaniels' unit in the Super Bowl.

"It was a series of corner blitzes that devastated the Patriots in the Super Bowl, when they fell behind against the Seattle Seahawks. Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon finished with six blitzes, four pressures and one sack. One of the best cover corners in the league, Witherspoon made an effective — albeit shocking — pass-rusher," McKenna wrote.

However, while Witherspoon should enter the matchup as the league's highest-paid corner (or perhaps Christian Gonzalez will take that crown), he faces a much tougher assignment in covering A.J. Brown compared to Stefon Diggs.

The big-bodied wideout brings tremendous physicality, reliable hands, and underrated quickness—all of which are much-needed in the red zone, where the Patriots struggled mightily a year ago.

Now, though, Brown can be Maye's go-to target in critical moments. Even when he appears covered, the three-time Pro Bowler can make contested catches, and it certainly seems like he and Maye have formed a tight bond already. That bodes well not just for Week 1, but for a season that has so much promise given the other upgrades the Patriots made this offseason.

There are still some unanswered questions before Week 1

With Brown and Doubs headlining a stacked wide receiver depth chart that also includes Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, Efton Chism III, and DeMario Douglas, New England suddenly has an abundance of riches at a position that's typically been razor-thin.

However, even though Maye has plenty of talented targets to go along with the two-headed running back tandem of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, the Patriots still have depth issues at other positions.

What's going to happen at tight end? Veteran Hunter Henry is about the only proven commodity on the roster, which means third-round rookie Eli Raridon will have to step up quickly.

Can top draft pick Caleb Lomu provide an insurance policy at both tackle spots? Or does the young, unproven Utah product need more seasoning before he can be trusted to keep Maye out of harm's way?

On the other side of the ball, the Patriots boast one of the best secondaries... and one of the least-proven groups of edge rushers—at least with Harold Landry on the shelf.

Can second-year pro Elijah Ponder become the franchise's latest undrafted free agent steal and develop into a big-time contributor? Will second-round pick Gabe Jacas silence durability concerns and make an immediate impact?

And can Dre'Mont Jones deliver enough pass-rush production to justify his three-year, $36.5 million deal?

Ultimately, that group—along with the talented defensive tackle duo of Milton Williams and Christian Barmore—must dominate the line of scrimmage and put consistent pressure on Darnold (and all season).

That wasn't something that happened often in the Super Bowl, but perhaps first-year defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr can pull off some magic of his own and deploy his star corner on a blitz or two.

Then again, let's just hope the Patriots get a deal done with Christian Gonzalez before Sept. 9.

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