2024 Week 2: Seahawks 23, Patriots 20
Both of these teams played completely even, which makes sense given it was an overtime finish. Both of these teams are 6-8 win teams that could win any given week. They’re both extremely average. Not a place where I thought New England would be, I had them closer to the bottom at the start of the season.
This game was ultimately decided on the play of the two veteran QBs, and the team with the slightly better one wound up winning.
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WR/TE Report:
- Starting this game with the passing game because that’s the biggest story in this game.
- Hunter Henry (8-109-0/12) went off but I didn’t see anything special. Seattle has an ace secondary and teams/QBs will avoid throwing there. Especially NE who doesn’t have a great passing game. These two factors combined for a great game for Hunter Henry that I don’t think will be sustainable, but there is hope Henry can be a large part of this offense.
- Only two WRs caught passes for NE, Ja’Lynn Polk (2-12-1/3) and KJ Osborn (1-7-0/2). The air-attack isn’t big enough for any receiver to put up reliable numbers. Demario Douglas has become a non-factor despite his late season surge last year.
- DK Metcalf (10-129-1/14) had his first big game of the season and I imagine it will continue. Seattle faces Miami and DK and Jalen Ramsey have a history – if DK can have a good performance in this game then he may establish himself as a top tier WR.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (12-117-0/16) had the most productive game of his career. He didn’t look any different on tape, Geno Smith was just throwing there as NE focused mainly on DK.
RB Report:
- Zach Charbonnet (14-38-1, 5 catches for 31-0/5) got the full start with Kenneth Walker out. Charbonnet didn’t put up show-stopping numbers which is a credit to the Patriots defense. Charbonnet is such a good running back, better than the beloved Walker.
- Rhamondre Stevenson (21-81-1, 2 catches for 9-0/5) and Antonio Gibson (11-96-0, 1 catch for 7 yards) are getting tons of work. Running the ball and a tough defense is this teams M.O., as are most teams led by defensive-minded head coaches.
D/ST Report:
Patriots DE Keion White (7 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL) is now up to 4 sacks and 5 QB hits in 2 games. He’s been a problem for opposing O-lines. He had no sacks but 2 more QB hits on TNF.
