New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks, Week 1 2026

Patriots vs Seahawks opens the 2026 NFL season on Wednesday, September 9 at Lumen Field. Seattle unveils its Super Bowl LX championship banner, then plays the team it beat 29 to 13 to earn it. The league moved the NFL Kickoff Game to a Wednesday this year, so it is not the usual Thursday start.

Kickoff is 8:20 PM ET. Come back here when it starts: the live score, game leaders, box scores, play-by-play with the game flow chart and full team statistics all update on this page automatically, with no refresh needed.

Seven months have changed both rosters. Here is the current picture, plus how to watch.

Patriots vs Seahawks Start Time, TV Channel and Live Stream

NBC carries the game nationally, so there is no blackout and no out of market issue. Peacock streams the same feed without a pay TV login. NFL+ also has it, but on phones and tablets only.

Going in person? The official Lumen Field event page lists gate times, parking and the clear bag policy. The rest of the opening weekend is on the 2026 NFL schedule.

What Changed Since Super Bowl LX

Seattle lost its Super Bowl MVP. Kenneth Walker III ran for 135 yards on 27 carries in Super Bowl LX, then signed with Kansas City in March after the Seahawks declined the franchise tag. Zach Charbonnet is working back from a knee injury and may open on the PUP list, which leaves Jadarian Price and George Holani splitting carries.

New England bought a number one receiver. The Patriots sent a 2028 first round pick and a 2027 fifth to Philadelphia for A.J. Brown. Drake Maye led the NFL in passer rating and completion percentage last season and finished second in MVP voting without a target of that class.

Seattle reloaded around Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He put up 1,793 receiving yards, won Offensive Player of the Year and signed an extension that made him the highest paid receiver in football. Cooper Kupp joined him. DeMarcus Lawrence joined the edge rotation.

Both offenses have new voices. Brian Fleury calls plays for Seattle in his first year as coordinator. Sam Darnold, a Pro Bowler in each of his two Seattle seasons, led the NFL in turnovers during the 2025 regular season before cleaning it up in January.

Three Things That Decide Patriots vs Seahawks

1. Maye against the Macdonald blitz. Seattle allowed 17.2 points per game last season, fewest in the league, and ranked first in defensive DVOA. In February that defense forced three turnovers and sacked Maye six times. Mike Macdonald returns nearly all of it.

2. Whether Brown draws a safety. If Seattle rolls coverage to Brown, Romeo Doubs and the tight ends get single coverage underneath. If it does not, Brown wins the matchup New England paid for.

3. Seattle's run game without Walker. An untested backfield in a season opener, against a Mike Vrabel defense, is the clearest soft spot on the champion roster. Vrabel was Coach of the Year in 2025.

What to Watch Before Kickoff

Rosters cut to 53 by 6:00 PM ET on Sunday, August 30. The league moved that deadline earlier this year, to the Sunday after the final preseason weekend instead of the traditional Tuesday. Waiver claims are due at noon CT on Monday, August 31.

Drake Maye had not taken a preseason snap through New England's first two exhibition games, including a 13 to 13 tie with Indianapolis on August 13. Seattle lost its preseason opener at home to Dallas 17 to 7, and Macdonald was blunt about the performance.

Neither result counts. Both tell you where the depth is thin. Rosters and results sit on the Patriots and Seahawks pages, and the opener shapes the first playoff picture of the year.

Patriots vs Seahawks FAQ

Patriots vs Seahawks is a rare opener with real stakes: a title rematch, two 14 and 3 teams, and a champion defending without the back who won it. Check this page on game day for inactives and the live score.

Last updated: August 27, 2026