Seattle Seahawks Week 1 Preview 2026: Patriots vs. Seahawks

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Sept. 9, 2026 8:20 PM ET NBC Lumen Field, Seattle, WA

The Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on opening night at Lumen Field in what figures to be a statement game for the home side. Geno Smith enters the 2026 season as one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the NFC, coming off years of steady play that have kept Seattle in the playoff conversation. The Seahawks come in with a roster built around defense and a balanced offensive attack.

Players to Watch
Player Team Why They Matter
DK Metcalf Seahawks One of Seahawks's top players heading into Seahawks's Week 1 matchup
Marshawn Lynch Seahawks One of Seahawks's top players heading into Seahawks's Week 1 matchup
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Seahawks One of Seahawks's top players heading into Seahawks's Week 1 matchup
Tom Brady Patriots Key player for Patriots that the Seahawks defense will need to contain
Drake Maye Patriots Key player for Patriots that the Seahawks defense will need to contain

For Seahawks fans, the home opener on a Wednesday night national stage is a chance to see this team set the tone for the year. Seattle's defensive front will look to pressure Drake Maye early and force turnovers. If the run game can establish itself, the Seahawks have the pieces to control the clock and come away with a strong Week 1 win on prime time.

What to Watch
Storyline Why It Matters
Seahawks offense, Week 1 debut First look at how the unit performs under 2026 roster and coaching changes
Patriots defense The first test for Seahawks skill players coming out of the preseason
Turnover margin Week 1 games are often decided by turnovers before teams find their rhythm
Check back after the game for the full recap with final stats and highlights.

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