The Seahawks (1-0) host the Patriots (1-0) at CenturyLink Field Sunday night, and unfortunately they'll do so without fans in the building. But while the Seahawks will miss having their fans there to cheer them on, they'll look to once again generate their own energy like they did in last week's win at Atlanta, and they'll need everything they can muster against a tough opponent.
The Patriots made a lot of change this offseason, most notably at quarterback, but Bill Belichick is still there, which means they're still a formidable, not to mention unpredictable, foe.
"They've shifted their focus on how they ran their offense in the first game," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "They can do anything in the second game. I leave it wide open to Coach Belichick… We've got to see what they do this time around. There's not enough games for us in their new thinking to know what to expect here. We'll have to adapt at game time."
In addition to handling the unexpected, here are three key matchups in Sunday's game against the Patriots:
1. DK Metcalf and Seahawks passing game vs. cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Russell Wilson and the rest of the Seahawks passing game had a lot of success last week, with Wilson completing 31 of 35 attempts for 322 yards and four touchdowns. Matching anything close to that level of production this week will be a tough challenge, however, as the Seahawks face a team that last year ranked No. 1 in total defense and scoring defense, No. 2 in pass defense, and No. 1 in interceptions, touchdown passes allowed and opponent passer rating.
There has been some pretty significant turnover for the Patriots on that side of the ball, but Belichick is still the mastermind behind it all, and New England does still have 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, who tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions last year, and who had one of New England's three picks last week. Gilmore tends to usually move around to match up with top receivers, and while Tyler Lockett is Seattle's most prolific pass catcher in recent years, Gilmore's size and physical style makes him a more likely matchup for DK Metcalf, who is coming off a four-catch, 95-yard game that included a 38-yard touchdown.
"This guy on film is just unbelievable, so many plays," Wilson said of Gilmore… "He's really just all over the field. He's hip to hip with each guy, he's smart as can be, he understands concepts, he's coached extremely well. He's a playmaker, he's a baller. He does it the right way."
If the Patriots do decide to put Gilmore on Metcalf, that won't necessarily mean Wilson can't thrown to Metcalf, but it will certainly require using caution when doing so. And if that matchup materializes, there could be opportunities for Tyler Lockett, who last week had a team-high eight catches for 92 yards.
2. Cam Newton and the Patriots running game vs. Seattle's run defense.
The Seahawks gave up a big run to Todd Gurley early in last week's game, then played solid run defense after that, though they weren't tested too often in that area because their big lead led to the Falcons being very pass-heavy.
If last week was any indication, however, the Seahawks run defense will be tested in a big way against Cam Newton and Patriots. In their Week 1 win over the Dolphins, the Patriots attempted just 19 passes while they ran the ball 42 times, including a team-leading 75 yards on 15 carries by Newton.
"We do have a real good background with Cam, but we don't know what they're going to do with him," Carroll said. "It's only one game. We don't even have the benefit of the preseason games to try to kind of figure it out. And they have been notorious for changing from one week to the next in how they approach their opponents and all. So we have to go into this game with a wide open-look, it's almost like a first game."
Of course, as Carroll mentioned, the Patriots can be unpredictable, so just because Newton ran like crazy last week, that doesn't mean New England will follow that script again. And if the Patriots were to rely more on the passing game this time around, keep an eye out for linebacker Bruce Irvin, who has had a ton of success rushing against Newton in the past. In six career-games against Newton, postseason included, Irvin has piled up eight sacks, seven of those coming in a Seahawks uniform.
3. The turnover battle.
Yes, it's a little cliché to say turnover differential is the most important stat, but it's also pretty accurate, and in the case of these two teams, that element of the game has been such a big part of their success over the years.
Both Seattle and New England were plus-two in turnover differential in their Week 1 wins, and over the years those teams are consistently among the league leaders in that all-important category. Since 2012, the year Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner arrived and the year Seattle's defense really hit its stride, the Seahawks are plus-88 in turnover differential, trailing only New England's mark of plus-104. The Seahawks and Patriots are well out ahead of the rest of the league in that category over that span, with Kansas City a distant third at plus-54.
And that one stolen possession could make all the difference in what's sure to be a close game. In three meetings since Carroll got to Seattle, the games have been decided by a combined 12 points.
The Seahawks currently lead the all-time regular season record, going 9-8 in 17 matchups. They'll look to make it double digit victories on Sunday Night Football this Sunday, September 20 at CenturyLink Field. Game Center
Morris Bradshaw, bottom, New England Patriots receiver, makes the catch from quarterback Steve Grogan on the three yard line and fumbles the ball out of bounds while being landed on by Kenny Easley (45), Seattle Seahawks, to set up a later touchdown at the end of the first half during their game in Seattle, Dec. 19, 1982. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80) grabs the ball above the head of New England Patriot defender Rick Sanford (25) to complete a 20-yard touchdown pass from Seattle quarterback Jim Zorn in the second quarter at Seattle, Sept. 21, 1980. (AP Photo)
New England Patriot quarterback Steve Grogan, (14), releases a pass Seattle Seahawk Bill Gregory, (77), during the first half of their game on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 21, 1980 in the Kingdome in Seattle. Grogan completed 15 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns during the game as the Patriots beat the Seahawks 37-31. (AP Photo)
New England Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan holds on to the ball as he is sacked by Seattle Seahawks Jeff Bryant during first quarter action at Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Sept. 16, 1984. (AP Photo/Mike Kullen)
Tony Collins (33) running back for the New England Patriots, is tripped up during first half action against the Seattle Seahawks in the Kingdome in Seattle, Dec. 19, 1982. Moving towards Collins is Seahawks safety Kenny Easley. (AP Photo/David Ekren)
New England Patriots Craig James, right, heads upfield with Seattle Seahawks Fredd Young (50), along for the ride, during 1st quarter action at Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Sept. 21, 1986. (AP Photo)
New England Patriots Tony Collins (33) struggles for that extra yard despite the efforts of Seattle Seahawks Kenny Easley (45) and Keith Butler (53) during first quarter action at Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Sept. 21, 1986. (AP Photo/Mike Kullen)
New England Patriots' Irving Fryar (80) takes the ball from Steve Grogan and moves around Seattle Seahawks' end to score in the second quarter of the game in Seattle, Nov. 17, 1985. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle Seahawks linebackers Bruce Schultz (58) and Tony Woods (57) and nose tackle Joe Nash (72) team up to stop New England Patriots fullback Bob Perryman (34) during an NFL game in Foxboro, Mass., Dec. 4, 1988. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 13-7. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
New England Patriots fullback Sam Gash (33) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks Sept 19, 1993, at Foxboro Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Brian Blades (89) is tackled as he runs upfield with the ball during an NFL game against the New England Patriots Sept. 19, 1993, in Foxborough, Mass. (Allen Kee via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver David Patten (86) side steps Seattle Seahawks corner back Ken Lucas (21) as Patten heads for the end zone during second quarter action of their NFL game Sunday afternoon Oct. 17, 2004 in Foxboro Mass. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselback, right, throws a pass under pressure from New England Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork (75) during the game in Foxboro, Mass., on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004. The Patriots won their 20th straight game with a 30-20 victory. (AP Photo/ Robert E. Klein)
Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson, right, brings down New England Patriots' Kevin Faulk on a reception by Faulk in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New England Patriots running back Sammy Morris goes over the top of Seattle Seahawks' defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (99) to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, at Qwest Field in Seattle. The Patriots beat the Seahawks 24-21. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Michael Boulware (28) separates New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady from his helmut during the game in Foxboro, Mass., on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004. The Patriots won their 20th straight game with a 30-20 victory. (AP Photo/ Robert E. Klein)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselback, right, throws a pass under pressure from New England Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork (75) during the game in Foxboro, Mass., on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004. The Patriots won their 20th straight game with a 30-20 victory. (AP Photo/ Robert E. Klein)
New England Patriots tight end Daniel Graham (82) looks to get around Seattle Seahawks defender Marcus Trufant during the game in Foxboro, Mass., on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004. The Patriots won their 20th straight game with a 30-20 victory. (AP Photo/ Robert E. Klein)
Seattle's Doug Baldwin falls into the end zone with his second touchdown of the game.
Seattle's Russell Wilson and New England's Rob Gronkowksi share a laugh at the pregame coin-toss.
Kam Chancellor leads the Seahawks in a victory yell after the victory at New England.
Chris Matthews leaps high and catches the Seahawks second touchdown of the game but the first in his N.F.L. career to tie the game at 14-14 just before halftime.
Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor lead the Legion of Boom in their traditional pregame huddle right before taking the field for warmups.
Seahawks fans including the loyal "Big Lo" (holding Sea-Fence) sign, send the team off near SeaTac Airport.
Kevin Pierre-Louis and Tyvis Powell sport Celtics basketball jerseys for the trip to Boston. Pierre-Louis has repped a basketball team from the opposing city for each road trip.
Jermaine Kearse nearly comes up with this catch on a deep route which was broken up at the last minute.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin hauls in his third TD catch of the night, which would provide the eventual game-winner.
Receiver Tyler Lockett cuts towards the middle of the field after a reception in the second quarter.
Head referee Bill Vinovich flips the coin for Super Bowl XLIX as captains and honorary captains for both teams convened at midfield.
Seahawks running back Christine Michael hurdles New England's Malcolm Butler in the first half.
