Blades’ Catch Cuts Down Patriots : AFC: Touchdown reception with 25 seconds remaining gives Seattle a 10-9 victory over New England.

The New England Patriots made life tough all day for Seattle rookie quarterback Rick Mirer. Still, they didn’t make it tough enough at the end.

With the poise of a veteran, Mirer drove Seattle 54 yards in 14 plays and threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Brian Blades with 25 seconds remaining Sunday for a 10-9 victory over New England.

Chased most of the game by a blitzing defense, Mirer finally managed to rally the Seahawks’ offense for the game’s only touchdown. John Kasay’s extra point gave the Seahawks the victory.

“Rick showed great character for a young quarterback,” Blades said. “With the game on the line, he made the big plays.”

Mirer completed a nine-yard pass to Kelvin Martin and John L. Williams ran nine yards in Seattle’s final drive. The Seahawks started on their own 46 with 3:03 remaining.

In his seventh NFL start, Mirer took what the Patriots’ defense allowed him when it counted the most. He completed seven of 10 passes for 39 yards and also had a two-yard run in the touchdown drive.

Mirer completed 22 of 43 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions as the Seahawks (4-3) beat New England (1-6) for the second time this season.

With Drew Bledsoe missing his second straight game because of a sprained left knee suffered Oct. 10 in Houston, backup Scott Secules made his second career start for the Patriots.

Secules threw two interceptions in the first half and for the day completed 15 of 30 passes for 129 yards. Leonard Russell rushed 21 times for 97 yards.

Scott Sisson kicked a 19-yard field goal with 9:07 remaining after the officials called off an apparent Patriot touchdown. They ruled that tight end Ben Coates juggled the ball as he went out of the end zone after catching a two-yard pass from Secules.