FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels didn't mince words when asked what he learned from how the Seattle Seahawks terrorized quarterback Drake Maye in Super Bowl LX in February.
"I didn't do a good enough job. Point it at me. They 'out-everythinged' us in the game," McDaniels said as the Patriots continued preparations for a rematch that opens the NFL's regular season Wednesday.
"We have a lot of things we learned. But I think this will be a different game, I think it will be a new game. It's a new year. We have some different players. They have a few guys that are new. They certainly found some opportunities last year, and hopefully we've done a good job trying to limit those Wednesday night."
Maye, the MVP runner-up last regular season, was sacked six times in the 29-13 loss. The Patriots started two rookie offensive linemen, left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson, and both remain in the starting lineup this season, with Wilson moving to his more natural position at center.
Former New York Jets first-round pick Alijah Vera-Tucker starts at left guard between Campbell and Wilson, while the right side of the line -- guard Mike Onwenu and tackle Morgan Moses -- returns from 2025.
Campbell, who struggled in the playoffs after returning from a sprained right MCL injury, was praised by McDaniels for his approach this year.
"He's had a really good mindset. Locked in," McDaniels said. "He had a good spring, good [training] camp -- trying to work on the things he knows at his position are important and critical to his improvement."
McDaniels added there is confidence in the offensive game-plan and that players have had a good week of preparation. The Patriots will practice Monday and then will travel to Seattle later in the day.
Maye and the starters didn't play in a preseason game this year, nor did Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and most of their starters.
"Opening day is completely different than every other week in the year because you're hunting and pecking for, 'How do you want to play the game?' as the game is unfolding," McDaniels said. "They're going to tell us some things in the first quarter that maybe we don't know."
The Patriots might be short-handed at running back Wednesday. TreVeyon Henderson hasn't practiced since Aug. 24, when he injured his ankle in practice. Henderson, who totaled nine rushing touchdowns last season, provides a speedy complement to starter Rhamondre Stevenson.