New England Patriots: Studs and duds in Week 2 vs. Seahawks

Stud: Julian Edelman

Oftentimes, Patriots veteran wide receiver Julian Edelman has been a relied upon consistent threat in the passing game and throughout the field in New England. So far in 2020, and especially in the Week 2 game against Seattle, Edelman once again proved he’s still that type of player and looks very comfortable with quarterback Cam Newton early on in the new year.

In the game on Sunday Night Football, the veteran wideout finished with a total of eight catches on 11 overall targets, tallying 179 receiving yards while averaging 22.4 yards per catch.

When Tom Brady was leading this offense, Edelman was a serious threat for teams to keep an eye on week-in and week-out. Now with a new quarterback under center in Newton, that doesn’t appear to have impacted Edelman too much as he has once again risen up through two games in 2020.

Dud: Giving up the big plays

Russell Wilson and company are known for taking shots down the field in the passing game in Seattle and the Seahawks once again displayed that against New England in Week 2. Wilson finished the game with 288 yards through the air, which isn’t that eye-popping, but the big plays were the difference-maker in helping put this game out of reach.

When you look at the average yard per catch of the Seattle wide receivers, DK Metcalf averaged 23 yards per catch with four receptions and a touchdown, Freddie Swain had one catch for 21 yards and a touchdown, David Moore averaged 16 yards per catch with three receptions and a touchdown, and Chris Carson had three catches while averaging 12 yards per catch with a touchdown.

Those averages on a smaller amount of receptions mean Wilson was able to take those shots down the field, which was something the Patriots just couldn’t limit enough while falling for the first time this year.