How Patriots' Rough 4th Quarter vs. Seahawks, Drake Maye Interceptions Made NFL History In Worst Way image
Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
In the Patriots' first three quarters of the 2026 NFL season, at the very least, their defense appeared formidable, while Drake Maye and the run game did enough to quiet the reigning champions. It wasn't perfect, but a win appear imminent for New England.
Then, a disastrous fourth quarter arrived. Maye threw three interceptions in the final frame alone, aiding an unanswered 13-point Seahawks run to turn around and stun the Patriots to open the season.
As it turns out, the Patriots' fourth-quarter struggles were bad enough that, based on a viral post on Thursday morning, they were historic by NFL standards.
Here's how New England's rough fourth quarter set an NFL record in the worst way.
How Patriots' Disastrous 4th Quarter Set 30-Year Record vs. Seahawks
Despite holding a 10-0 lead mid-way through the third quarter of a defensive matchup, the Patriots collapsed in crunch time of Week 1. Had Maye taken care of the ball a bit better, they may have had a 1-0 start to the season.
In the fourth quarter alone, Maye threw three interceptions:
Maye also took three sacks, with Leonard Williams, Drake Thomas and Derick Hall all taking him down in the fourth quarter.
Additionally, the Patriots were called for three penalties in the quarter:
Illegal Block on Gabe Jacas, 10 yards (11:28 mark)
Holding on Will Campbell, 10 yards (5:45 mark)
Ineligible Downfield Pass, 5 yards (3:03 mark)
On top of all of those mistakes, New England failed to score a point in the fourth quarter, allowing Seattle to come back.
According to a viral post from OptaSTATS on Thursday morning, the Patriots became the first team in the past 30 years of the NFL to have a single quarter with three thrown interceptions, three sacks taken and three penalties committed while scoring no points.
The criteria for that stat was for any NFL quarter, too. It wasn't just for fourth quarters.
All things told, it was as reckless of a fourth quarter as possible for New England.
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