NFL 2024/25: Patriots – Seahawks
The king is gone, long live the new king! That’s how you could describe the start of the new era at the Patriots under Jerod Mayo after the departure of football legend Bill Belichick.
That’s because New England was able to add an unexpected “W for Win” next to his name on the NFL schedule in Week 1.
According to my Patriots Seahawks tip for the current Week 2, the “Legion of Boom” traveling from Seattle must prepare for a real defensive battle at Gillette Stadium
The Patriots host the Seahawks in their 2024 home opener, and what a matchup it will be! Both teams come to Gillette Stadium with Week 1 wins – and under new head coaches.
Jerod Mayo with the Patriots and Mike Macdonald with the Seahawks have made their NFL debuts a success. Mayo relied on classic Patriots tactics: strong defense, a lot of running and ball control.
It worked perfectly against the Bengals: 170 yards on the ground on 39 runs, but only 120 yards through the air. Two forced fumbles by the defense ultimately made the difference.
The question here is whether they keep this style up against Seattle or surprise us. What do you guys think? A team like New England that has cultivated its identity for decades stays true to its style, right?
For the Seahawks, the picture is clear: they also travel to Gillette Stadium with a defensive mentality. They impressed against the Broncos, especially with a strong second half in which they outscored Denver 17-7.
Bo Nix had a tough time against this Seahawks defense in his NFL debut. Two interceptions speak for themselves.
So get ready for two very attentive secondaries in this game, who are capable of intercepting the one or other crooked pass attempt at any time.
Both sides have not been spared the misfortune of injuries. In fact, there are some significant absences that could impact the game and potentially change the tactics of both coaches significantly.
For the Patriots, Kendrick Bourne, Cole Strange and Christian Barmore are still missing – all on the PUP list and therefore out until at least Week 5.
Particularly bitter: Barmore, still outstanding in 2023, could even miss the entire season due to blood clots
On Seattle’s side, things look bleak at the right tackle position. George Fant had to come out injured against Denver and is questionable. If Fant doesn’t get fit, the Patriots could put pressure on him with Keion White.
And then there’s Kenneth Walker III, who had to come out with an abdominal injury on Sunday. Coach Macdonald is keeping him and Fant “day-to-day” for the time being.
The loss of the running back could have a negative impact on the visitors’ own offensive output
A few more words about joint encounters: In the head-to-head matchup between the Seahawks and Patriots, Seattle holds a narrow 10-9 lead.
The last two meetings went to the Seahawks, including the thrilling 35-30 win in the 2020 season.
This means that Seattle could beat New England twice after the legendary Super Bowl final in 2015 (even if that could only be a small consolation for the fans for losing the final)
An interesting fact for you guys: The Seahawks have never covered the bookies’ point spread in their last six games as a favorite.
So if you want to play it safe statistically, consider betting on “Patriots to win with HC +6.5”. The odds here are a solid 1.50.
But if you want to take a little more risk, take a look at these statistics: Seattle has lost three of its four away games as a favorite.
Fittingly: A bold bet on a simple “Patriots win with no extra handicap” offers lucrative odds of 2.50. Who among you can get excited about that?
Conclusion: In my Patriots Seahawks prediction, I am clearly leaning towards an extremely defensive game with few points from both sides.
Why? Both teams played strong defense in Week 1, and the Patriots excelled especially when the Bengals made mistakes. The Seahawks, on the other hand, should stabilize on the road and therefore be able to hold their own from the start.
Looking back at the last few games, I expect both sides to encounter difficulties on offense. “Under 40.5 points” is therefore my clear recommendation
My tip: Under 40.5 points
