Game Rewind: The Patriots lost a back and forth affair to the Seattle Seahawks 31-24 last night at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots had their chances to win the game but costly turnovers and the defense’s inability to get off the field on third down cost them the game. 

Here are five observations from last night’s game.

1. The Defense Was Awful: The Patriots played their worst game of the season defensively. They couldn’t generate a consistent pass rush and they struggled to contain Russell Wilson.

Wilson extended several plays and was able to convert some key third downs. The defense’s inability to get off the field on third down was once again a problem. 

2. Brady Struggled: For the first time since returning from his suspension, Tom Brady struggled. Brady finished 23/32 for 316 yards, no touchdown passes and an interception. The interception was his first of the season.

Brady acknowledged after the game that he struggled and took responsibility for the loss. I’m not sure he lost the Patriots the game but he could have played better.

3. Secondary Stunk! The secondary had a tough night. Russell Wilson torched them to the tune of 348 yards and 3 touchdown passes. 

The Patriots have some flaws in the back seven and they were exposed tonight. They will need to play much better moving forward otherwise they’ll get shredded again by other elite quarterbacks down the road.

4. The Seahawks Goaline Stand: Look, Patriots fans will bitch and moan about the pass play to Gronk but the reality is, it wasn’t a bad play call. Gronk had the match up edge over Kam Chancellor. I’d call the same play.

The fact that LeGarrette Blount couldn’t score on first down or that Brady couldn’t score on the second down sneak are more of the reason that they lost. 

5. It Was a Great Game: It’s sucks being on the wrong side of a loss but the reality is, this was a good football game. Both teams deserve to win but in the end, the Seahawks made more plays than the Patriots and that’s why they won.