The 2026 NFL season commences Thursday, September 9th, with a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. This marks the third instance in league history where the opening week features a repeat of the previous season's championship game.
The Seahawks emerged victorious over the Patriots in Super Bowl LIX, securing their second franchise title with a 29-13 win. The team now faces changes heading into the new season, including a new offensive coordinator, Brian Fleury, and notable departures from their defensive roster. Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III is no longer with the Seahawks, having signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs.
All eyes will also be on A.J. Brown as he makes his debut with the Patriots. Brown was acquired via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason and has a notable record, being the fifth player in NFL history with at least 1,000 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches in six of his first seven seasons.
The game is scheduled to take place at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, with kickoff set for 8:20 p.m. ET. The Seahawks are entering the opener as 3.5-point favorites.
For fans looking to watch the game, it will be broadcast on NBC. Live streaming options are available, including a five-day free trial of DIRECTV's Choice plan, which offers over 125 channels including NBC.