Where to watch Patriots vs Seahawks and what time does the first game of the 2026 NFL season start?

The 2026 - 2027 NFL season gets underway, and it does so with an interconference matchup full of contrasts. The Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots at Lumen Field in Seattle, in a Week 1 clash that pits two franchises against each other as they arrive rebuilt and with many questions to answer from the very first snap.

This is the classic clash of styles that is common in the first week: a home team with home-field advantage — the deafening atmosphere at Lumen Field is one of the most feared in the league — against a young and ambitious visiting team.

The Seahawks are favored, with an implied probability close to 62%, while the Patriots carry the underdog role at around 38%. The total points line (over/under) is around 43.5–44.5, a sign that bettors anticipate a moderately scored game, leaning more toward balance than an offensive shootout.

The point spread is moving around Seattle -3 / -3.5, the typical line that reflects strong home-field advantage without dramatically discounting the inferior visitor. It’s the kind of game that can be decided by a couple of red-zone plays or by a turnover at a key moment.

Patriots vs Seahawks: Schedule and live broadcast of the game

The opening kickoff of the matchup between New England and Seattle is scheduled for the night of Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 8:20 p.m. Eastern Time, within the opening window of the campaign; in the rest of the United States the game will begin:

In general, NFL broadcasts are divided among CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video; however, you will be able to watch this first game on:

The matchup between both squads under the spotlight: experience versus youth

The central story of the game is at quarterback. For Seattle, Sam Darnold takes the reins of an offense that wants to combine experience with explosiveness. Behind him wait the promising Jalen Milroe and veteran Drew Lock, a QB room with tools for different scenarios.

In front of them, the Patriots are going all in on their young franchise: Drake Maye is the face of the new era in New England, backed by Tommy DeVito and Behren Morton. The showdown between a Darnold looking to establish himself and a Maye carrying the expectations of an entire project will be the focal point of the matchup.

The Seahawks boast a top-tier receiving corps. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and veteran Cooper Kupp form a duo capable of punishing any coverage, with Rashid Shaheed providing vertical speed and tight end AJ Barner serving as a reliable option on short-yardage chains. In the backfield, Zach Charbonnet and Emanuel Wilson will give Darnold the running balance he needs to avoid becoming predictable.

On New England’s side, the big reinforcement is A.J. Brown, an elite wide receiver who can single-handedly transform any offense and who immediately becomes Maye’s favorite target. He is joined by Romeo Doubs, the elusive Demario Douglas, and tight end Hunter Henry, an ideal safety valve for a young quarterback. On the ground, Rhamondre Stevenson and explosive second-year rookie TreVeyon Henderson provide a rushing attack with two different speeds.

Without a doubt, the players to watch in this first game will be:

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Seattle) : with Darnold looking to find an early rhythm, JSN is the home team's most dangerous weapon. If he finds space against the visiting secondary, he can set the tone for the game.

Drake Maye (QB, New England) : the thermometer of the Patriots' season. His ability to read pressure and make the most of A.J. Brown will say a lot about how far New England can go.

A.J. Brown (WR, New England) : the signing that changes the Patriots' offensive equation. In a hostile environment like Lumen Field, his presence will force Seattle to redistribute its secondary defense.

Patriots vs Seahawks Prediction

The home-field advantage, the noise at Lumen Field, and a more experienced receiving corps tip the balance toward Seattle, just as the market reflects. The Patriots have the young talent to make things difficult and A.J. Brown to keep them alive, but betting on a quarterback in his first visit to one of the loudest stadiums in the league is asking a lot in the opening week.

Prediction: Seattle Seahawks wins a close game, by a one-possession margin, barely covering the spread.