5. Boye Mafe and Leonard Williams continue to make good plays in the backfield.

After a strong performance in Seattle’s opener, which included a sack, third-year outside linebacker Boye Mafe was once again a nuisance to an opposing team. Mafe started his day with a third-down sack on New England’s first drive and pressured Jacoby Brissett the entire game. Mafe also got a holding call on a running play that helped stop a New England drive and finished the game with x-five tackles, two quarterback hits and a sack.

Williams, meanwhile, followed up a season opener with four quarterback hits with four tackles, 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits, sharing the second sack with rookie Byron Murphy II to give the Seahawks a crucial third-down stop late in the fourth quarter, leading to a blocked field goal and the game-tying drive.

6. Julian Love also scores well on special teams.

Julian Love came to Seattle last year as a free agent after playing a lot on special teams with the Giants. He played less in that phase of the game with the Seahawks as he became more of a player who could be used on all fronts on defense.

Love, who had 12 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in the season opener, will still see some playing time on special teams. He made a big play Sunday, blocking a field goal that would have given the Patriots a six-point lead late in the game. It allowed the Seahawks to tie the game with a field goal and force overtime.

7. Missed tackles were a lot more painful for the Seahawks than they were a week ago.

As defensive coordinator Aden Durde noted this week, the Seahawks made multiple tackles in their first game, but with so many defenders rushing the ball, they rarely hurt Seattle. Up against a more physical rushing attack, however, it was a slightly tougher day for the Seahawks in the tackling department.

Led by energetic running back Rhamondre Stevenson, the Patriots rushed for 185 yards, most of it on first contact.

That said, there were still plenty of positives from Seattle’s defense, which forced six three-and-outs and had 2.5 sacks. Most importantly, they were able to shut down the defense quickly to open overtime, setting the offense up for a game-winning drive.

Overall, there’s a lot to like about what the Seahawks have done defensively in their first two games, but Mike Macdonald will undoubtedly have plenty to improve upon when he watches the footage from this game.