Patriots running back James White is inactive after receiving tragic news that his parents were involved in a serious car accident that killed his father and left his mother in critical condition.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson voiced his support for his former Wisconsin teammate and his family on Twitter before the game.

This news comes not even a week after Patriots head coach Bill Belichick lost his mother, Jeannette, to natural causes.

New England entered the Sunday night matchup as underdogs for the first time since Week 1 of the 2016 season — when Jimmy Garoppolo started in place of the suspended Tom Brady against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Patriots jumped out to an early lead after a tipped pass landed in the hands of the two time Pro-Bowler Devin McCourty as he returned it for a 43-yard touchdown. The Seahawks remained poised and devised a 13 play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a 4-yard touchdown from Russell Wilson to Tyler Lockett to tie the game at 7 a piece. 

In his first drive of the night, Cam Newton navigated the pocket with ease, dodging defenders and delivering two strikes of 15 and 14-yards to receiver Damiere Byrd. Newton was also able to convert on a fourth and 3 with a 13-yard catch by N’Keal Harry. On the same play, Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs was disqualified for a helmet to helmet hit on Harry. Newton capitalized on his strong first drive by rushing for the 1 yard touchdown to put the Patriots back on top early in the second quarter, 14-7.

After a day filled with injuries sustained by some of the biggest superstars in the NFL, this game would not be an exception. The Seahawks defense was hit hard in the second quarter when safety Marquise Blaire sustained a knee injury that would sideline him for the remainder of the contest. Outside linebacker Bruce Irvin also went down with an apparent leg injury late in the fourth quarter.

The Seahawks were able to respond after D.K. Metcalf burned the reigning defensive player of the year, Stephon Gilmore, for a beautiful 54-yard touchdown to tie the game with 7:06 left in the second quarter. The game would remain tied after Patriots’ kicker Nick Folk missed a 51-yard field goal wide left. 

The Patriots received the second half kickoff, and Newton resumed his strong start by displaying his prowess as an elite passer. Newton converted on a third and long by escaping a potential sack and finding Julian Edelman for a 16-yard catch. Newton completed five passes for 69 yards on the drive, but could not escape the Seahawks’ Jamal Adams, who caught up with Newton to deny him the rushing touchdown, and force New England to settle for a field goal. Nick Folk’s 25 yard field goal would help regain the lead for the Patriots, putting them up 17-14 in the third quarter. 

Russell Wilson proved that he shines in the face of adversity as he connected with David Moore for another perfectly thrown deep ball that would go for 38-yards and a score. The Seahawks remained dominant in the third quarter after cornerback Quinton Dunbar jumped Damiere Byrd on an out route and hauled in the interception. Wilson put the exclamation mark on the drive by dishing it off to rookie receiver Freddie Swain for the 21-yard catch and run touchdown, increasing Seattle’s lead to 28-17.

The Patriots came out the next drive with a sense of urgency, as Edelman corralled in a 50-yard pass to start off the drive. Newton would go 4/4 for 69 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing twice for eight additional yards. In an effort to bring the game within 3, the Patriots went for a two-point conversion, but Newton failed to convert on a rushing attempt that was stopped short by the Seahawks’ stout front line. Wilson continued to command the game as he connected with running back Chris Carson for an 18-yard score late in the fourth quarter — his fifth of the night. 

The Patriots’ late comeback attempt was kickstarted by another deep ball for Edelman — a 33 yard catch to set up the Newton rushing touchdown. After a big stop by the New England defense, all eyes were on Newton as he took to the field to try and articulate a game-winning drive. Newton went 5/7 for 63 yards on the drive, and managed to connect with Harry to get the ball to the 1-yard line with 3 seconds left on the clock. In heartbreaking fashion, Newton was stuffed at the goal line as time expired and Seattle escaped with the win, 30-35. Newton and Edelman demonstrated a good rapport as Edelman finished with a career-high 179-yards while logging 8 catches. Newton went 30/44 on the day, throwing for 397 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 47-yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 carries. New England will look to bounce back at home next week against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. 

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