The Patriots kick off the 2026 season against the Seattle Seahawks in a Super Bowl LX rematch. The Patriots will be taking a good team and a loud home crowd.
Here is our game plan for tonight’s game.
Offense
1. Emphasis on 3-Step Passing Game: Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme in Seattle thrives on complex coverages and generating pressure with subtle shifts up front. To negate their pass rush and limit exotic coverage shell rotations post-snap, the Patriots must keep the quarterback on a strict clock. Utilizing quick slant, hitch, and quick-out routes on 3-step dropbacks will force the Seahawks’ cornerbacks to play up and throw off their timing before the pass rush can develop.
2. Run outside zone, toss and one back off-tackle: Seattle’s front features disruptive interior defenders who can ruin direct, A-gap running schemes. Testing the Seahawks’ lateral pursuit with outside zone stretch plays, pitch tosses, and off-tackle power out of single-back looks will force their linebackers to scrape wide. Getting the back edge-adjacent sets up favorable angles for the offensive line and wears down their pursuit over four quarters.
3. 6 and 7 man pass protections with check releases: When taking shots downfield or dropping into 5-step passing plays, protection integrity is top priority. Seattle will manufacture free runners through aggressive blitz packages. Utilizing tight ends and running backs in 6- and 7-man protection schemes will secure the edges. Having the back perform a chip-and-release into the flat gives the quarterback an immediate safety valve if the Seahawks bring extra rushers.
4. Call a fair amount of perimeter and running back screens. Especially on early downs: To slow down Seattle’s defensive line and aggressive off-ball linebackers, early-down screens must be an intentional part of the call sheet. Bubble screens to the outside receivers and slow-developing slip screens to the running backs will force the defense to flow laterally and second-guess their downhill reads on 1st and 10.
5. Use 21 and 22 personnel: Heavy personnel packages featuring two running backs or multiple tight ends will force Seattle into lighter nickel packages or heavy base fronts. Operating out of 21 and 22 personnel allows the Patriots to dictate the defensive matchup, create extra gaps in the run game, and set up play-action passing concepts when the defense overcommits to stopping the ground attack.
Defense
1. Mug and sim pressure is a must: To disrupt the timing of Seattle’s passing attack, the front seven must generate pre-snap confusion. Walking linebackers and safeties directly into the A and B gaps (“mugging” the line) forces Seattle’s center and guards to make quick protection calls. Dropping those mugged defenders back at the snap while bringing pressure from unexpected secondary angles (simulated pressure) will create hesitation in the pocket.
2. Split field coverages. Play man to man to Gonzalez’s side: Using split-field safety looks allows the defense to adapt to Seattle’s formation tweaks live at the line. Locking Christian Gonzalez in single coverage on one side of the field effectively isolates Seattle’s top boundary target without needing safety help. This frees up the remaining secondary safety to bracket dynamic playmakers or assist over the top on the weak side.
3. Stop the run with a 5 man box: Seattle wants to establish a balanced ground game to keep their offense in manageable downs. By utilizing strong defensive line play to anchor gaps, the Patriots can commit to a light 5-man box while keeping extra defensive backs in coverage. The defensive line must win individual two-gap battles to let the off-ball linebackers flow downhill cleanly without over-committing numbers inside.
4. Disguise coverage to confuse Darnold: Sam Darnold has shown high-level play when reading static defenses, but he remains susceptible to mistakes when forced to process late visual changes after the snap. Showing two-high safety shells pre-snap and rolling into Cover 3 or Robber looks post-snap will force Darnold to hold the ball a half-second longer, creating turnover opportunities for the secondary.
5. Heavy dose of T-E stunts: Seattle’s interior offensive line can be vulnerable to lateral twist games. Executing Tackle-End (T-E) stunts where the interior defensive tackle penetrates first to pick the guard, allowing the edge rusher to loop cleanly into the A or B gap, will generate quick up-the-middle pressure and disrupt the pocket setup.
Final Thoughts: Beating Seattle requires executing a highly disciplined gameplan that neutralizes their aggressive defensive front and keeps their offense off-balance. Offensively, success hinges on getting the ball out fast, establishing edge-running lanes, and utilizing heavy personnel to dictate the tempo. Defensively, taking away early reads through coverage disguises and winning 1-on-1 matchups on the outside will force mistakes in obvious passing situations.