NFL Patriots vs. Seahawks Player Prop Bets Featuring Drake Maye & Sam Darnold (Sept. 9)

The New England Patriots and defending champion Seattle Seahawks open the NFL season in a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch, immediately giving bettors a marquee matchup loaded with compelling player props. While betting the side or total requires predicting how two revamped teams will perform collectively, individual markets may offer clearer value because they isolate specific roles, matchups and expected game scripts.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Seattle begins its championship defense against the opponent it defeated 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, while New England gets an immediate opportunity to measure its offseason improvements against the league’s reigning standard. The Patriots added A.J. Brown to strengthen Drake Maye’s receiving corps, but they must again solve Seattle’s ferocious pressure package and suffocating secondary. Seattle, meanwhile, enters with a new offensive coordinator and uncertainty in its backfield.

Those variables can make the point spread and game total difficult to handicap. Player props allow bettors to target more predictable situations, such as Seattle leaning on Sam Darnold’s arm against New England’s strong run defense, or Maye relying on shorter throws against heavy pressure. Injury developments, particularly TreVeyon Henderson’s absence, could also create late value in Rhamondre Stevenson’s markets.

Here are the odds for Wednesday's NFL game (via DraftKings) on Sept. 9

Not only are 16 NFL games on the schedule over the six days from Wednesday to Monday, but you'll also have a chance to find football betting offers from the top NFL sportsbooks.

New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks Betting Odds for Wednesday, Sept. 9 (DraftKings)

• Spread: New England +3 (-102) | Seattle -3 (-118)
• Moneyline: New England (+142) | Seattle (-170)
• Total: O/U 44.5 (-108/-112)

Instead of determining who wins the rematch, bettors can concentrate on volume, usage and individual matchups, areas where the opening game may provide its most attractive opportunities. Darnold’s passing attempts could benefit if New England’s sturdy front discourages Seattle from leaning heavily on its inexperienced backfield. Maye’s completion and longest-pass markets offer another angle against a Seattle defense designed to generate pressure without sacrificing coverage.

Bettors can also evaluate how Christian Gonzalez’s expected attention on Jaxon Smith-Njigba might redirect targets toward Seattle’s secondary receivers and tight ends. These props reduce dependence on the final score and let bettors capitalize on specific tactical developments, even if the overall game unfolds differently than expected.

Here's a look at my best prop bets for Wednesday's game.

Jadarian Price Under 54.5 Rushing Yards (-114)

This is my top player prop bet for this game, as Price must overcome both a difficult matchup and legitimate volume uncertainty in his NFL debut. New England finished sixth in rushing defense last season, allowing only 101.7 yards per game, 4.2 yards per carry and 11 rushing touchdowns. The Patriots also posted a negative defensive EPA per play, showing their strength came from down-to-down efficiency rather than favorable turnover luck.

Price possesses explosive ability: he averaged 6.4 yards per touch and gained 761 scrimmage yards on 119 touches during his final Notre Dame season, but he accumulated only 280 collegiate carries. That limited workload creates questions about his readiness for a featured professional role, particularly in pass protection and obvious passing situations. He also caught only 15 passes across 41 college games, making it easier for Seattle to remove him when it shifts into its passing packages.

Volume Is the Biggest Obstacle

Seattle can rotate George Holani into the backfield, and a competitive game would not necessarily guarantee Price the 14-16 carries he may need to clear this number. At 4.0 yards per attempt, Price would require nearly 14 carries to reach 55 yards. If New England wins early downs and forces Seattle into third-and-medium situations, his opportunity count could shrink quickly.

Former Seahawk Kenneth Walker III's 135-yard Super Bowl performance is the obvious concern, but Price is not yet Walker in experience, contact balance or workload reliability. The wager is ultimately against Price receiving immediate bell-cow treatment.

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Sam Darnold Over 30.5 Passing Attempts (-123)

If New England’s defensive front limits Seattle’s conventional rushing attack, the Seahawks should compensate with short passes, screens and quick throws, essentially using Darnold’s arm as an extension of the running game.

The most relevant evidence comes from the Super Bowl matchup. Darnold attempted 38 passes against New England despite Seattle winning 29-13 and never trailing. He completed only 19 of those attempts for 202 yards, but the inefficiency strengthens this angle: Seattle stayed willing to throw without getting explosive or especially efficient quarterback play. Darnold needed only 31 attempts to beat the number we're seeing here, seven fewer than he recorded in February.

Pressure Cooker

New England’s pass rush also improved significantly last season, raising its pressure rate from 28.3% in 2024 to 38.3% in 2025. Pressure could reduce Darnold’s yards per attempt, but it does not necessarily reduce his throwing volume. Seattle can answer with quick, high-percentage attempts to Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and AJ Barner.

The primary risk is a comfortable Seattle lead that allows the Seahawks to protect Darnold and run throughout the second half. Even that script didn't keep him from reaching 38 attempts in the Super Bowl. With Seattle favored by a field goal, and the rematch expected to remain competitive, 33-36 attempts is a reasonable projection.

Drake Maye Longest Completion Under 35.5 Yards (-116)

The Seahawks don't necessarily need to prevent Maye from compiling yards; they need to eliminate explosive plays, pressure him with limited blitzing, and force New England to complete several shorter passes to sustain each drive.

Seattle executed that formula almost perfectly in Super Bowl LX. Maye completed 27 passes and accumulated 295 yards, yet his longest completion was exactly 35 yards, meaning this under would have cashed by half a yard even though Maye approached 300 passing yards. Seattle also sacked him six times and intercepted him twice while forcing three total turnovers. The Seahawks led the NFL in the fewest points allowed and finished their championship victory with six sacks, three takeaways and a defensive touchdown.

Accumulation Without Explosion

Brown increases New England’s big-play potential after producing 1,003 receiving yards last season with the Eagles, but his presence should command safety help and push Maye toward shorter throws. That strategy worked in the Super Bowl: Maye threw for 295 yards but averaged only 10.9 yards per completion, with no gain longer than 35. Seattle generated six sacks and three takeaways while keeping every Patriots completion below this number.

Maye’s mobility also supports the under because pressure does not always trigger a deep attempt. He rushed 103 times for 450 yards and 38 first downs last season, frequently escaping when longer routes were covered. Maye also ran five times for 37 yards against Seattle despite absorbing six sacks in the Super Bowl. Expect New England to emphasize quick concepts, tight ends and running-back checkdowns to neutralize the pressure.

A broken tackle or coverage bust remains the primary danger, especially with Brown stretching the defense. However, Maye proved he can pile up yardage without producing a 36-yard completion. His 295 Super Bowl yards were spread across 27 completions, with his other primary receivers posting longest gains of 26 yards or fewer. This matchup favors steady accumulation—not one explosive strike.

W.G. Ramirez is a veteran sports writer from Las Vegas and a Staff Analyst at Ballislife Bets. Follow him on X at @WillieGRamirez.