The Seattle Seahawks kicked off their 2026 season with a hard-fought 13-10 victory over the New England Patriots at Lumen Field, a win so definitive it sent a couple of Patriots players right back to their practice squad. It was a gritty opener for the boys, showing that Mike Macdonald’s squad is ready to scrap. This wasn’t just another game, it was a statement against a storied franchise, even if the Patriots are clearly rebuilding. That W at home feels good, especially knowing the ripple effect it had in Foxborough.
Rookie RB Lan Larison’s NFL Debut Derailed by the 12s
For Patriots running back Lan Larison, his NFL debut was certainly memorable, but probably not in the way he wanted after facing our Seahawks. The 24-year-old UC Davis product saw a total of three snaps on offense and six on special teams in that Super Bowl LX rematch. While he did catch two passes for nine yards and convert one first down, averaging 24.5 yards per kickoff return, those numbers weren’t enough to keep him on the active roster. Larison, who was an undrafted free agent in 2025, redshirted his rookie year with a foot injury and was waived at the 53-man roster deadline before being retained on their practice squad. It just goes to show you, stepping onto Lumen Field against the Emerald City faithful is a different beast!
Wishnowsky’s Punts Couldn’t Contain Shaheed
Punter Mitch Wishnowsky also found himself reverting to the practice squad after the 13-10 loss to our Hawks. The 34-year-old veteran specialist, who joined New England’s practice squad when incumbent Bryce Baringer landed on injured reserve, served as both holder and punter. He played a part in a 50-yard field goal and averaged a respectable 44.3 yards per punt and 42.0 net yards across four opportunities, with three inside-the-20 efforts. But here’s the kicker: he notched no touchbacks against our very own past Pro Bowl and All-Pro returner Rashid Shaheed! Wishnowsky, a former Ray Guy Award winner with stints on the 49ers, Commanders, and Bills, now has 106 games under his belt, but even that experience couldn’t help the Patriots avoid the L in Seattle.
Our Seahawks gave Foxborough a rude awakening right out of the gate, and that 13-10 win at Lumen Field sets the tone for our boys early on. While Larison and Wishnowsky have two standard call-ups remaining before they’d need an official move to the active roster, their team is heading home to Gillette Stadium to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. ET. For us? Our Hawks are riding high after a crucial season-opening W. Let’s keep that momentum rolling!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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