Disaster struck Lumen Field after just five plays as a hip injury forced Sam Darnold to the locker room, thrusting Drew Lock into a high-stakes relief role.
The Seattle Seahawks' season opener has gotten off to the worst possible start at Lumen Field against the New England Patriots in this Week 1 Wednesday night NFL opener.
After Jadarian Price ripped off a big run, and Sam Darnold connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Darnold was sacked, and was seen limping off the field.
For a moment, we didn't think anything of it as Sam made his way to the sidelines, but the Seahawks thought otherwise.
Darnold then made his way into the blue medical to be evaluated, and it didn't take long for the medical staff to take Darnold into the locker room.
As such, it is now Drew Lock in at quarterback as the Seahawks try to get something rolling against this Patriots defense, which, after getting moved around early on, has stiffened.
After such a long offseason, the Seahawks were ready to roll to begin the year, and with the Super Bowl champs also celebrating their win from last season, what wasn't on the menu was a Darnold injury.
Heading into the locker room and is now officially listed as questionable to return with a hip injury, there might be a very real chance that Darnold's 2026 season opener is over after five plays.
For all the plans, for all the preparations, the Seahawks might have now lost their starter, at least for this game.
Lock is no slouch, though, as the veteran looked good in preseason, but now he's coming into a game he didn't think he would be playing in, and going against New England coach Mike Vrabel's defense.
What needs to happen now? We'll go with three things ...
1 - Establish the run
This was a big reason the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, as the offense rushed for 141 yards, with Kenneth Walker rushing for 135 of them.
But he isn't here now. It's up to Jadarian Price and George Holani to give Lock on the ground.
With a returning offensive line, the Seahawks have the tools needed to keep the Patriots' defensive line at bay. Running the football opens up so much for the passing game.
2 - Dark Side get after Maye
Maye was sacked six times in the Super Bowl as Macdonald's defense tore apart the Patriots' offensive line.
They've got to do it again.
With Brown and Doubs as two weapons the defense has to account for, speeding up Maye's internal clock and making him feel pressure will mess with the timing with his weapons.
Pressure Mr. Maye...a lot.
3 - Get JSN...and others rolling
Well duh, right?
We know Jaxon Smith-Njigba will get his targets, but others have to come to the party as well because Vrabel will do his best to take No. 11 away.
We're looking at AJ Barner, Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed to make plays to keep the Patriots guessing as to who to cover.
If they can be productive, JSN gets singled up, and that's exactly what Fleury wants. ... and it might help Lock survive in Darnold's stead.
