Game Preview: Seahawks to face new-look New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football

SEATTLE — Fresh off a season-opening 38-25 road win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Seahawks will welcome Bill Belichick and the new-look New England Patriots to CenturyLink Field for Sunday Night Football as they look to improve their record to 2-0.

The Seahawks and Patriots may rarely meet, but when they do it seems as if it’s always a memorable game.

In 2012, then-rookie quarterback Russell Wilson led the Seahawks to 14 unanswered points in the fourth-quarter to give Seattle a surprise 24-23 win over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Two years later, Wilson and Brady met again, this time in Super Bowl XLIX: A game Seahawks fans don’t need to be reminded about…

Following that disappointing loss at the one yard line in the Super Bowl, the Seahawks rebounded and beat the Patriots on the road in 2016 with a goal line stand of their own.

While the matchups between the teams have been tense in years past, this one will look much different because for the first time since 1999 the Patriots are playing without Brady as a part of the organization.

With Brady now in Tampa Bay, the Patriots are riding with former NFL MVP Cam Newton at quarterback. Newton, fresh off an injury-plagued season with the Panthers, signed a one-year deal with New England in the summer and is looking to revive his career in New England.

Newton looked fully healthy in last week’s 21-11 win over the Miami Dolphins, finishing the game 15 for 19 for 155 yards passing and adding 15 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Expect the Patriots to lean on their strong running game again on Sunday.

Ready to counter New England’s running game will be Seahawks safety Jamal Adams who starred in Sunday’s debut leading Seattle with 12 total tackles including 2.5 for a loss.

All eyes will also be on Wilson, who enters Sunday night coming off one of the best games in his career. Wilson completed 31 of 35 passes for 322 yards and four touchdowns against the Falcons. He also led the Seahawks in rushing with 29 yards on three carries.

His 88.6 completion percentage was a franchise record, besting Dave Krieg’s 86.36 completion percentage in 1988 (minimum 20 attempts). Wilson’s completion percentage was also the third-highest in NFL history (minimum 35 attempts).

Wilson’s spectacular performance netted him his 10th career NFC Offensive Player of the Week award.

The Seahawks and Patriots are tied all time 9-9 entering Sunday’s night matchup. Kickoff is set for 5:20 p.m.

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