Will the 2026 Patriots Upset the Super Bowl LX Champion Seahawks in Week One?
The 2026 NFL season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9th, in a Super Bowl LX rematch between the New England Patriots and champion Seattle Seahawks. During Super Bowl LX, the Seahawks dominated the Patriots 29-13 to earn their second franchise championship. Both teams look different heading into the new season, most notably with Seattle losing running back Kenneth Walker III, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, and wide receiver A.J. Brown being traded to New England. While both teams have added and lost some pieces, they genuinely have the same roster as a year ago.
New England is ready to make another playoff run and surprise the league once again. The Patriots are ready to see another jump from third-year QB Drake Maye, who was the runner-up to Matthew Stafford for NFL MVP. During Super Bowl LX, New England’s offense severely struggled. That all changes in 2026. With Brown and receiver Romeo Doubs, the Patriots have two weapons that realistically could help them make another Super Bowl appearance. The defense still has key pieces in Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis III, Kevin Byard, Christian Gonzalez, Milton Williams, and Christian Elliss. In addition, the Pats have the experience coaching around them that can compete with some of the NFL’s best.
Seattle lost Walker III, linebacker Boye Mafe, safety Coby Bryant, and cornerback Riq Woolen. However, with Sam Darnold at the helm alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp, this team still has a great receiving core. The defense also keeps players from their Super Bowl run a season ago, such as DeMarcus Lawrence, Julian Love, Josh Jobe, Devon Witherspoon, and Ernest Jones IV. Many have predicted the Seahawks or the Los Angeles Rams to take the NFC West crown this season. Los Angeles may have a loaded roster, but Seattle has the most recent Super Bowl experience and is ready to run it back once more.
As it’s the first game of the new season, it will all come down to whether both of these rosters are ready for action. We could see a lopsided performance from either side, or one where both teams are physically, mentally, and emotionally ready for this Super Bowl LX rematch. We know the Patriots not only want to get revenge but need to show how prepared they are for the new year. Seattle has to prove they are the premier threat of a franchise they were last season, and nothing has changed over those seven and a half months since last season.
I believe the Patriots could pull off the win. They have the roster to be a threat in the AFC as long as they stay healthy. I would not be surprised if the Seahawks won; however, if they want to compete with the Rams or even a dark-horse San Francisco 49ers squad, they have to be the same dominant, consistent team from a year ago, even with some of the key departures on the team. If a score were predicted, I would say New England pulls it off 21-20.
