New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks: 2026 Season Kickoff Analysis

The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are poised to kick off the 2026 NFL season with a rematch of Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks will proudly unveil their second championship banner before the start of the game. The Patriots are eager to see their new wide receiver, A.J. Brown, in action, despite being without running back TreVeyon Henderson due to an ankle injury.

Viewing Options
You can catch the game on NBC and Peacock, or stream it live on Fubo.

Kickoff Event
Richard Sherman received a standing ovation while raising the No. 12 flag at Lumen Field. The celebration featured an impressive electric guitar rendition of the national anthem by Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, setting the stage for the kickoff.

Seattle’s Pre-Game Ceremony
Seattle fans celebrated their team with light displays and chants, featuring Kam Chancellor leading the current team onto the field. The atmosphere was electric, further amplified when the Patriots took the field.

The Athletic’s Live Coverage
Join The Athletic LIVE, a chat-enhanced watch party, where analysts like Daniel Popper, Charles McDonald, and Max Browne will provide real-time insights during the game.

Team Rivalry
Seattle leads the regular-season series against New England 11-8. This marks the Patriots’ first game at Seattle’s stadium since 2012.

Player Spotlight
Drake Maye, starting his third NFL season, is expected to be a key player to watch, especially against Seattle’s formidable defense.

Missing Stars
Seattle’s star nickel corner, Nick Emmanwori, misses the game due to an ankle injury. A.J. Brown might face a tough matchup, but opportunities exist for Romeo Doubs or DeMario Douglas.

Inactive Players
Notable absences for the Seahawks include safety Nick Emmanwori and wide receiver Tory Horton. Key absentees for the Patriots include running back TreVeyon Henderson.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Impact
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a breakout season last year with 1,793 regular-season receiving yards. He is recognized for his impressive skills by Mike Vrabel.

NBC’s Coverage
NBC continues its tradition of airing the NFL season opener with familiar faces like Mike Tirico on play-by-play and Cris Collinsworth as analyst.

Sam Darnold’s Reflections
Sam Darnold reflected on his performance during the Super Bowl, acknowledging areas for improvement in his game.

Odds and Predictions
The Seahawks are favored by 3.5 points, reflecting the typical advantage for home teams. Division predictions favor other teams over last year’s champions.

Despite the Patriots and Seahawks’ success last season, neither is the favorite to win their division this year. The Rams are tipped as the Super Bowl favorites.