This Royals superstar and MVP contender refers to Aaron Judge as “The KING of New York”! While the Patriots had minimal errors in their game against Cincinnati, Mayo believes there is significant potential for progress.
“From an individual standpoint, players should typically see their most substantial growth from Year 1 to Year 2, or from Week 1 to Week 2,” Mayo stated. “Looking ahead to this week and not dwelling on Cincinnati, I believe there were many opportunities missed. The players are aware of this.
“As we move into Week 2, we expect everyone to improve. … I made it clear that what earned us a win in Week 1 won’t suffice in Week 2 if we don’t continue to evolve.”
Seattle coach Mike Macdonald is also stressing the importance of taking things one practice at a time.
“It’s all about each practice,” Macdonald said. “You can’t have a successful Thursday if your Wednesday isn’t good.”
In his inaugural season, Macdonald led the Seahawks (1-0) to a 26-20 win against the Denver Broncos in Week 1. Similar to New England, Seattle relied on their running game, with Kenneth Walker III rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, while quarterback Geno Smith also contributed with a rushing touchdown.
However, Walker may face difficulties against the Patriots, as New England ranked among the top defenses against the run last week, allowing only 70 yards. This is contingent on Walker’s ability to play, as he missed practice on Wednesday due to an oblique injury.
“They’re very well-coached, play tough, have talented players, and compete hard,” Macdonald remarked about the Patriots. “They excel in all the fundamentals—check, check, check. They maintain their positions, shed blocks, and demonstrate what is necessary for strong run defense. The statistics and the film confirm this.
“We’re facing a significant challenge.”
As Sunday marks New England’s home opener, the Seahawks will also contend with a Patriots fan base that is increasingly optimistic after enduring a 4-13 season in 2023. Nonetheless, Seattle heads into the game against New England with confidence.
