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Patriots, Seahawks Open 2026 NFL Season in Super Bowl LX Rematch

Seattle begins its championship defense against Drake Maye and New England as BetUS and MyBookie install the Seahawks as home favorites.

SEATTLE — The 2026 NFL season opens Wednesday night with unfinished business on both sidelines.

Seven months after Seattle defeated New England 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, the Patriots return to face the defending champions at Lumen Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET, with NBC and Peacock carrying the season-opening rematch.

Both franchises finished the 2025 regular season with 14-3 records, but Seattle controlled their championship meeting with a relentless defense, a productive rushing attack and six sacks of New England quarterback Drake Maye. Now the Patriots get an immediate opportunity to show whether their offseason changes can close the gap.

Patriots vs. Seahawks betting lines

The following odds were available Wednesday and remain subject to movement before kickoff. BetUS and MyBookie are sponsors of North American Talk Radio.

BetUS also lists an implied team total of 23.5 points for Seattle and 20.5 for New England. The sportsbook reported that Seattle opened as a 3.5-point favorite before the spread moved to the key number of three. See the current BetUS matchup lines.

MyBookie’s posted market closely matches BetUS, although Seattle carries a slightly more expensive moneyline price. See the current MyBookie Seahawks odds.

Odds are for informational purposes and may change. Bet only where legal. Must be 21 or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Can New England protect Drake Maye?

New England’s most urgent assignment is also its most obvious one: keep Maye upright.

Seattle’s defense dictated Super Bowl LX, sacking Maye six times and forcing three turnovers. The Patriots punted on all five first-half possessions and failed to reach Seattle territory consistently until the game was largely out of reach.

Maye eventually finished with 295 passing yards and two touchdowns, but both scores came in the fourth quarter. His two interceptions included a pick-six by Uchenna Nwosu that helped Seattle seize complete control.

The Patriots do not need to transform their offense completely to compete Wednesday. They do, however, need to avoid obvious passing situations, establish manageable third downs and prevent Seattle’s pass rush from controlling the rhythm of the game.

That task becomes more difficult with offensive lineman Ben Brown ruled out because of a knee injury.

TreVeyon Henderson’s absence changes Patriots’ offense

New England will open the season without running back TreVeyon Henderson, who has been ruled out with an ankle injury suffered during an August practice.

Henderson led the Patriots with 911 rushing yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie. His speed and ability to produce explosive plays gave New England an important alternative to placing the entire offense on Maye’s shoulders.

Veteran Rhamondre Stevenson now moves into a larger role after rushing for 603 yards and scoring nine touchdowns last season. The Patriots may also need to supplement their traditional rushing attack with short passes, screens and quarterback movement designed to slow Seattle’s defensive front.

Defensive tackle Christian Barmore, however, has been cleared to play after dealing with a knee issue. His availability strengthens a New England defense attempting to contain Seattle running back Kenneth Walker III. Reuters reported the latest injury designations for both teams.

Seattle returns to its championship formula

The Seahawks begin their title defense with a clear identity under head coach Mike Macdonald: play disciplined defense, create pressure and force opponents to earn every scoring opportunity.

That formula overwhelmed New England in February. Seattle held the Patriots scoreless through three quarters, while Walker rushed for 135 yards and earned Super Bowl MVP honors. Quarterback Sam Darnold completed 19 of 38 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown without committing a turnover.

Seattle did not need an explosive passing performance because its defense and running game consistently controlled field position. Kicker Jason Myers added five field goals, setting a Super Bowl record.

The Seahawks would welcome a similar script Wednesday: establish Walker early, protect the football and force Maye to attack a fast, aggressive defense in obvious passing situations.

Seattle’s offense still faces an important opening-night question, however. Opponents have had an entire offseason to study the Seahawks’ championship approach, and New England coach Mike Vrabel understands that his team cannot allow Walker to dictate the game again.

Seattle secondary faces injury questions

Seattle safety Ty Okada will miss the opener with a hamstring injury. Safety Nick Emmanwori and wide receiver Tory Horton are questionable, while offensive lineman Josh Jones enters the game without an injury designation.

Emmanwori’s status deserves particular attention. The young defensive back finished second in the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting before undergoing an offseason ankle procedure. His size and versatility give Seattle another defender capable of disrupting passing lanes and matching up with different offensive personnel.

If Emmanwori cannot play—or is limited—New England could test the middle of Seattle’s defense with tight ends, crossing patterns and quick throws intended to neutralize the pass rush.

Three matchups that could decide the opener

Patriots offensive line vs. Seattle pass rush

Nothing matters more for New England. If Seattle consistently pressures Maye with four rushers, the Seahawks can keep additional defenders in coverage and recreate the conditions that decided the Super Bowl.

Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Seattle’s defensive front

With Henderson unavailable, Stevenson must give the Patriots enough production to keep the offense balanced. New England cannot afford to abandon the run and ask Maye to throw 40 or more times against Seattle’s defense.

Kenneth Walker III vs. New England’s front seven

Walker was the most productive offensive player in the Super Bowl. The Patriots must tackle more effectively, close rushing lanes and prevent Seattle from turning second-and-medium situations into easy first downs.

What the betting market says

The three-point spread suggests that oddsmakers still view Seattle as the stronger team, particularly at Lumen Field, but they do not expect another comfortable Seahawks victory.

Seattle opened around a 4.5-point favorite in early markets before support for New England helped move the spread toward three. The current total of 44.5 projects a game in the neighborhood of 24-21.

The Super Bowl produced 42 combined points despite New England scoring twice in the fourth quarter. Bettors considering the under can point to Seattle’s defense, New England’s offensive-line concerns and Henderson’s absence. Those favoring the over must believe Maye and the Patriots have found answers for Seattle’s pressure—or that the Seahawks’ offense will take a more aggressive approach in the rematch.

The moneyline prices translate to Seattle holding roughly a 60% to 65% implied chance of winning before sportsbook margin is removed.

Game prediction

New England should be more prepared for Seattle’s defensive pressure than it was in February, and Maye gives the Patriots enough playmaking ability to keep the game competitive. Henderson’s absence, however, removes one of the offense’s best explosive options.

Seattle owns the more reliable defense, the proven rushing advantage and home-field edge. The Patriots can threaten an upset if they protect Maye and avoid turnovers, but those are precisely the areas Seattle exploited in the Super Bowl.

Prediction: Seahawks 24, Patriots 20

That projected score would give Seattle the victory and cover a three-point spread while finishing just under the posted total of 44.5.

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