The NFL’s new season begins where the last one left off – with the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and National Broadcasting Company.
The Super Bowl LX rematch is here to officially kick off the 2026 NFL campaign. No, Bad Bunny doesn’t make it into the middle, but there’s plenty to look forward to in the season opener. The Seahawks will raise their championship banner before the 12th party. The Patriots will seek revenge following their February loss. It’s “Sunday Night Football” on the grid Wednesday.
We are all reporting qualified tonight. Here’s what to expect to see and hear from Game #1 of 272.
How to watch the Patriots at the Seahawks in the 2026 NFL Kickoff Game
- Location: Lumen Field – Seattle
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET, Wed
- TV: NBC, Telemundo
- Stream Fubo (Release now for free)
NBC is free to air. Also available in Peacock Premium Plan.
NBC broadcast details
This is the third Week 1 to feature a Super Bowl rematch. The last time it happened was in In 2016, when the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers. This is the second time the NFL season has opened on a Wednesday — the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants did so in 2012.
NBC has aired the season opener for more than two consecutive decades. The 2026 edition puts Mike Tirico on play-by-play and Chris Collinsworth on analyst duties. Melissa Stark and Kaylee Harting are associate field reporters. All were also on call for Super Bowl LX.
There is a pregame show called the NFL Kickoff Special. It starts at 7pm in Ethiopia and will be hosted by Maria Taylor. New England players are certainly familiar with Devin McCourty, a 13-year quarterback and three-time Super Bowl champion for the Pats.. Everyone knows that Mike Tomlin is gone Flashing head coach The main thing to the studio. The table has Mike Florio and the NFL. Enthusiastic applause Jason Garrett.
Power Rankings: Why the Seahawks Aren’t No. 1
Chad Graf
What to know about the Seahawks
Mike McDonald’s Falcons were a two-way torpedo in 2025. They finished with the No. 3 scoring offense, No. 1 defense, and the top seed in their conference. Despite a few offseason trips and an NFL slump, Seattle takes the field as back-to-back champions.
Kenneth Walker III is out of the backfield after signing with the Kansas City Chiefs. New Zealand native George Holany and Notre Dame draft pick Jadarian Price will carry the load, while last year’s RB2, Zach Charbonnet, is recovering from knee surgery. He replaced offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak, who is now the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. His successor, Brian Fleury, was the tight ends coach and running back for the rival San Francisco 49ers.
Sam Darnold is leading the way back as QB1. Bird watcher. Jackson Smith-Njigba is the Offensive Player of the Year, looking to defend his honor in double coverage. His presence frees up space for the permanent Cooper Cup and turbo-charged Rashid Shahid.
of “Dark side” Defense is a disciplined front line and secondary that can fill the running back. Leonard Williams and CB Devon Witherspoon Both are fresh off well-earned contract extensions. Derek Hall and Byron Murphy II return to the loaded pass rush; Second-team All-Pro Ernest Jones IV ranks second. Newly signed defender Terrion Arnold In Week 1, the kidnapping and armed robbery charges remain on the commissioner’s exempt list and will not be played.
Wednesday night begins an extended curtain call for the sax artist DeMarcus Lawrence as well as. The 13-year pro said he will retire at the end of the season.
What should we know about veterans?
Like their rivals, the Patriots put 2025 together. They finished 14-3 and were second in points and fourth in points allowed.
Then came the intense season. Coach of the year Mike Vrabel was arrested In scandal With Diana Russini, who was at the time The athleticsNFL insider. In June, the front office Trade for AJ Brownone of the league The best and most exciting players. There was also an extended contract dispute with lock corner Christian Gonzalez. Record extension Days before the start of the season.
On the flip side, Vrabel and offensive play caller Josh McDaniel are still in their drafts. Zach Kuhr has officially moved from inside linebackers coach to defensive coordinator. Former DC Terrell Williams After undergoing treatment for prostate cancer last season, he moved up to assistant head coach.
Drake Maye is the present and the future at the center. He came up short in the 2025 MVP race, an order higher than most second-year quarterbacks. With wideouts for Brown and Romeo Dobbs, Maye can continue to improve. If the passing game stops, Raymond Stevenson and Treveon Henderson create thunder and lightning on the ground. Henderson is listed as out. But for Wednesday because of an ankle injury.
The top line defense continues to be bolstered by two big free agent moves. Edge rusher Dremont Jones helps squeeze the pocket. And safety Kevin Byrd III, who just led the league with seven interceptions, now looms deep in the secondary.
The Patriots especially drew the Week 1 game. But he won in Seattle Send a message too – To the competition and for themselves.
Patriots vs Seahawks story
Seattle leads the regular season head-to-head series 11-8. This is New England’s first game against the 12s since 2012. The Patriots visited Seattle in 2020, but the stadium was empty due to pandemic protocols.
The two teams have split their two postseason games. The Seahawks took a 19-0 lead early in the fourth quarter of February’s Super Bowl, en route to a decisive 29-13 victory and their second championship. Walker earned MVP honors with 161 yards of offense. Hall and Murphy each had two sacks; Julian Love and Uchenna Nwosu each had an interception.
Eleven years ago, Super Bowl XLIX gave us the all-time touchdown from Jermaine Kearse. Blue boat To Malcolm Butler The choice of destiny On the goal line. Tom Brady took home MVP honors after the Patriots’ 28-24 victory.
Patriots vs. Seahawks updated odds
The Seahawks are one of many. In Week 1, home teams are favored.
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