The New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 8:20 p.m. ET, marking the start of the NFL regular season. The game will be broadcast on NBC and available for streaming on Peacock.
Seattle is looking to build on a strong performance that ended with a Super Bowl LX victory over the Patriots last season. New England, however, brings an efficient passing attack, led by quarterback Drake Maye, who posted a 72 percent completion rate in the 2025 season.
Key players to watch in the matchup include Rhamondre Stevenson for the Patriots and Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the Seahawks. With TreVeyon Henderson ruled out for New England's opener, Stevenson is expected to handle a significant volume of snaps and touches out of the backfield. His role is crucial for controlling the game's tempo and keeping the Patriots' offense on schedule.
For Seattle, Smith-Njigba is a central figure in the passing game, especially with a matchup against one of New England's top cornerbacks. Last season, he recorded 119 catches for 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. His ability to stress opposing defenses across various areas of the field makes him a primary offensive threat.
On the defensive side for the Patriots, cornerback Christian Gonzalez will be vital in covering Seattle's top receiving threats. Gonzalez recently signed a four-year, $135 million extension and is expected to be a key player in the secondary. In last season's playoffs, he had 7 pass breakups and 1 interception across 4 games, and notably allowed only 1 completion in coverage against Smith-Njigba in the Super Bowl.
Seattle's depth at wide receiver could also be a factor, with Jalen Horton listed as questionable due to a hamstring issue. If healthy, Horton is expected to play a rotational role as the fourth receiver behind Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp. Even in limited usage, his presence could provide valuable depth and contribute to extending drives.