Patriots receiver Romeo Doubs has night to forget in season opener vs. Seahawks

Romeo Doubs’ first game in a New England Patriots uniform did not go according to plan. The veteran wide receiver, expected to take on an expanded role in the team’s passing attack, went catch-less through the first three quarters of Thursday night’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

Doubs’ opportunity arrived when fellow receiver A.J. Brown, one of New England’s headline offseason acquisitions, exited the Sept. 9 contest with an ankle injury in the third quarter. With Brown out, Doubs became quarterback Drake Maye’s top target down the stretch — a responsibility that proved costly.

Early in the fourth quarter, Maye scrambled to his right and delivered a deep ball to a wide-open Doubs on a second-and-14 play. With no defender nearby, the receiver was unable to secure the catch. Maye was intercepted on the very next snap, his second pick of the evening, when Seahawks safety Julian Love stepped in front of a pass over the middle.

Seattle capitalized on the ensuing possession, driving 39 yards in eight plays before kicker Jason Myers connected on a 26-yard field goal to give the Seahawks their first lead of the night at 13-10.

Doubs was also the intended target on Maye’s other interception. A deep throw that drifted inside was tipped and hauled in by Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett, adding another turnover to a difficult night for the New England offense.

The game was broadcast nationally on NBC and streamed on Peacock, both properties of Comcast (CMCSA). Shares of the telecom and media giant closed at $24.59, down 6.61% from the previous close of $26.33, valuing the company at roughly $92.53 billion. Comcast, which operates across connectivity, media, studios, and theme parks, remains one of the major distribution platforms for primetime NFL programming.

What to watch

• An update on the severity of A.J. Brown’s ankle injury and his availability for upcoming weeks.
• Whether Doubs sees continued target volume in New England’s offense or returns to a secondary role once Brown returns.
• The Patriots’ next matchup, where the passing game will look to cut down on turnovers.
• NBC and Peacock’s remaining primetime NFL slate, a recurring revenue driver for Comcast’s media segment.

Source: original release