The 1-0 New England Patriots host the 1-0 Seattle Seahawks on Sunday for their home opener at Gillette Stadium. Both teams have played against each other 19 times, including one postseason game, and the Seahawks have won ten, while the Patriots have won nine. The over/under is 38, and the Patriots are 3.5-point underdogs.
The Patriots are coming off a shocking upset in Week 1, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10, who were eight-point favorites at home. Their run game clicked, rushing for 170 yards. Rhamondre Stevenson led the charge with 120 yards on 25 carries, one touchdown, and ten missed tackles. Their pass protection didn’t have the best performance. The unit allowed 13 pressures, nine hurries, four hits, and one sack. One position that struggled tremendously was left tackle.
The New England Patriots benched their starting left tackle after playing the first 12 snaps
Free-agent acquisition Chukwuma Okorafor started at left tackle for their season opener. Okorafor, who hasn’t played on the left side since college, got the first start of his professional career there in Week 1 after spending his first six seasons at right tackle with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He did not play well.
Okorafor played the first 12 snaps of the game. He had three pressures, two hurries, one hit, zero sacks allowed (in six pass-blocking snaps), a 0.0 pass block grade, a 69.9 run block grade, and a 44.4 PFF grade. The Patriots benched him during their second drive, and he didn’t play the rest of the game.
He may not return to the team this season.
The New England Patriots placed their offensive tackle on the left squad list
According to Karen Guregian of MassLive, the Patriots placed Chukwuma Okorafor on The Exempt/Left squad list on Saturday. Okorafor is reconsidering if he still wants to play in the National Football League. The team is still in contact with his representatives regarding his future. We will update you once we have more information.
Per source, Chuks Okorafor was placed on the Exempt/Left squad list because he’s reconsidering if he still wants to play football. The team has been in touch with his representatives. Okorafor had signed a one-year deal with a base value of $4 million with the Patriots.
— Karen Guregian (@kguregian) September 14, 2024
Who will take over at left tackle?
The New England Patriots expect Vederian Lowe to start at left tackle for the foreseeable future. Lowe filled in as Jacoby Brissett’s blindside blocker for their final 52 snaps. He had three pressures, two hurries, one hit, zero sacks allowed, a 59.6 pass block grade, a 55.0 run block grade, and a 52.4 PFF grade.
Third-round pick Caedan Wallace could be in the mix if Lowe struggles.