Super Bowl Rematch Begins
The NFL season kick-started with the Seahawks facing the Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch. Seattle missed its star running back, Kenneth Walker III, who is now with Kansas City. New England, on the other hand, looked to boost its performance with the newly-added wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Opening Quarter: Scoreless Even
The first quarter concluded without any points as both teams struggled offensively, recording only 99 yards combined.
Seattle’s quarterback Sam Darnold exited with a hip injury early in the game, requiring Drew Lock to step in.
Patriots Take the Lead
New England capitalized on a pass interference penalty on Seattle with a flea flicker play, resulting in a touchdown by Eli Raridon after a 10-play, 77-yard drive.
The Patriots held a 7-0 lead.
Seattle Struggles Offensively
Without starting quarterback Sam Darnold, Seattle’s offense disappointed. Drew Lock nearly threw an interception and struggled to gain yards.
Seattle incurred multiple penalties, totaling 68 yards, while New England remained penalty-free.
Key Player Absences
Patriots’ running back TreVeyon Henderson was sidelined due to an ankle injury, affecting their running game.
Changes in Seattle’s Lineup
Seattle saw departures among its key players, including offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Las Vegas Raiders as head coach. Kenneth Walker and safety Coby Bryant also moved on to other teams.
Despite these losses, Seattle retained most of its Super Bowl starting lineup.
Rule Tweaks for the 2026 Season
This season, coaches can designate an assistant to throw challenge flags, although not mandatory. Certain penalties could lead to player suspensions as the NFL focuses on player safety.
AFC East Competition Intensifies
Patriots face a more challenging schedule this season, starting with four playoff teams. Last season, they had the easiest schedule based on win percentages.
Seahawks Under New Ownership
After Seattle’s Super Bowl victory, the team was sold to a group led by Vinod and Neeru Khosla for $9.6 billion.