The Patriots came out in Super Bowl LX with a clear plan: lean on Rhamondre Stevenson early and try to settle rookie quarterback Drake Maye into the moment. And for a few plays, it looked like that approach might just work.
Backed by a loud, pro-Seahawks crowd, New England opened its first drive by feeding Stevenson on back-to-back runs, then getting him involved in the passing game on third down. The formula was simple - get the ball into the hands of your most reliable offensive weapon and take some of the pressure off your young quarterback.
The early returns were promising. The Patriots crossed midfield with a bit of momentum, showing poise against a fired-up Seattle defense. But just as they started to build something, the drive unraveled.
Edge rusher Derick Hall came off the edge and got home, dropping Maye for a 10-yard loss. It was a momentum-shifting play - the kind of defensive spark that can flip the energy in a stadium and rattle a rookie quarterback in his first Super Bowl appearance.
Two plays later, cornerback Devon Witherspoon brought pressure off the edge and forced Maye into an off-target throw. Just like that, the Patriots were punting.
One early concern for New England: left tackle Will Campbell struggled in pass protection, and if that trend continues, it could spell trouble for Maye the rest of the night. Seattle’s pass rush is too talented to give them a weak link to exploit.
Now, with the Patriots failing to capitalize on their opening possession, the Seahawks’ offense heads back onto the field for its second drive - and a chance to take control early.