The first half of Seattle's 13-10 win over the New England Patriots in the NFL's season-opening game got off to a slow start both offensively. But all it took was one play to shift the momentum in the Seahawks favor. On a second-and-nine play, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who was already having a difficult time throwing the ball downfield, was picked off by cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett on a deep ball, thanks to a tipped ball by Rodney Thomas II. Pritchett returned the ball 30 yards to Seattle's 33-yard line.

Quarterback Drew Lock started off the drive by connecting with receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 13-yard gain. The next two plays were a five and four-yard run by rookie Jadarian Price.

Seattle ran the ball one more time on a third-and-one play, but Emanuel Wilson was stopped with no gain.

On the very next play, in a fourth-and-one situation, the Seahawks didn't bring out tight end AJ Barner for its version of the tush push, the "barn yard," but instead opted for a pass play.

"I was happy it was a pass play," Smith-Njigba said. "They thought it was a run, I believe they sent a blitz. My job was to find the zone and Drew did a great job of finding me. After that, it was just do what I do, just try to get upfield, protect the ball. Great upfield blocking by our tight ends, that's something that we preach heavily each week, we call it "E". It showed up tonight."

Smith-Njigba was able to turn what looked like it would be a short yardage play play into a touchdown.

"Looked kind of funny before the snap," Lock said. "Didn't really seem like they had anybody ready to match Jaxon based on what I knew we were about to run. He's the third read in that play, and when 11 is just standing there, you got to give him the pill."

On the play, Smith-Njigba gained 41 yards after the catch, which was 35 yards more than expected per Next Gen Stats.

The touchdown and successful point after helped Seattle tie up the game 10-10.