The last time the Patriots and Seahawks played each other, the stakes were a bit higher. Don't worry 12s, I'm not going to spend any time recapping what happened in Super Bowl XLIX -- when the Seahawks had the ball on the 1-yard line in the final seconds and chose to throw instead of handing the ball to Beast Mode and Russell Wilson was intercepted by Malcolm Butler and then Michael Bennett jumped offside and Tom Brady kneeled out the remaining time on the clock to seal the Patriots' Super Bowl win -- because that would be way too cruel.
This time around, the circumstances are different: Both teams aren't fighting for a championship -- at least not yet. They're not even fighting for playoff positioning considering they reside in different conferences. And both teams are all but guaranteed to make the playoffs. At 5-2-1, the Seahawks are in control of the NFC West. And at 7-1, the Patriots have the AFC East locked up.
The importance of this game is more about ...
1. Figuring out just how good the teams are: Is the Seahawks' defense, which ranks sixth in DVOA, good enough to slow down Brady, Gronk, Martellus Bennett, and maybe even Dion Lewis? That's right, just when the Patriots' offense is already unstoppable, they could be ready to add one of the league's most elusive pass-catching backs.
Without Bennett, arguably the most important player on that defense, it'll be a tough task for Seattle.
2. Entertainment: Finally, in a year full of bad teams, we get to see two legit good teams playing against each other.
And I can't wait. Here's how you can watch.
How to Watch
- What: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots
- When: Sunday, Nov. 13, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: NBC
- Online: NFL Game Pass (available to watch online after midnight)
- Odds: The Patriots are 7.5-point favorites, according to SportsLine
Injury Report
Seahawks
- DE Michael Bennett (Knee) -- Out
- RB Thomas Rawls (Fibula) -- Out
- CB DeAndre Elliott (Hamstring) -- Questionable
- OT Bradley Sowell (Knee) Questionable
- TE Luke Wilson (Knee) -- Questionable
- RB Christine Michael (Hamstring) -- Questionable
Patriots
- TE Martellus Bennett (Ankle) -- Questionable
- DT Alan Branch (Back) -- Questionable
- WR Julian Edelman (Foot) -- Questionable
- WR Chris Hogan (Back) -- Questionable
Prisco's Pick
The Seahawks face a bad combination this week. It's a short week after a Monday night game with a long trip to face the league's best team coming off a bye. Good luck with that. The Patriots were rolling on offense before the bye and that will continue here. They will use a ton of quick short, passes to beat the Seahawks.
The Pick: Patriots 27, Seahawks 17