It's not often we get to see a Super Bowl rematch in Week 1 of an NFL season. In fact, it's been over a decade since the last time it has occurred. That's all changing Wednesday night, as the Seattle Seahawks will host the New England Patriots to kick off the 2026 NFL season.
Normally, the 12th Man doesn't usually get to see many games against the Patriots. Before last February, Seattle and New England were playing on the consistent four-year interval between AFC/NFC opponents. However, the Patriots are obviously quite fresh in the minds of the Seattle faithful, as I'm sure everyone in the Pacific Northwest has spent the entire summer endlessly rewatching Super Bowl LX highlights.
Still, plenty has changed betwen February and tonight. As such,
we at Seahawks Wire invite you on yet another journey Behind Enemy Lines. I spoke with my friend Jordy McElroy, the managing editor over at our sister site Patriots Wire, about the upcoming matchup. My questions and McElroy's answers can be seen below:
No. 1 - Have the Patriots improved their offensive line since Super Bowl LX?
They had no choice after watching their franchise quarterback get walloped all over Levi's Stadium at Super Bowl LX. The left side of the offensive line, which was manned by rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, could have been sponsored by 7-Eleven as long as it was open for Seahawks defenders to run free.
With that said, there is reason for optimism heading into 2026. Campbell is no longer playing on a bad knee, and he has one full year of NFL experience under his belt. Wilson has been moved inside to center, which was the true position that he played at in college. And the Patriots signed Alijah Vera-Tucker, who is one of the better guards in the league when healthy.
The top unit has looked significantly better in training camp, but there are serious depth questions if anyone goes down.
No. 2 - How much impact do you expect AJ Brown to have in his first game?
A.J. Brown is a matchup nightmare on the outside, which is a weapon the Patriots didn't have in the Super Bowl. His connection with Drake Maye has been immediate, and the duo has impressed in joint practices against the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles.
Brown dominating at certain points against the Eagles was even more eye-opening considering they have two All-Pro cornerbacks on their roster. And it isn't just Brown that has been the problem for defenses, either. The Patriots also signed Romeo Doubs in free agency. Here's a quote from NFL insider Albert Breer after speaking with the Colts about the Patriots:
"So it's interesting, I talked to Colts people after, and they were blown away by the skill," Breer said, via NBC Sports Boston. "If you think about where they were two years ago in that department, I don't know that there were very many teams that were worse. I had Indianapolis Colts people saying to me, 'Their skill, they're near the top of the league with that group now.'"
No. 3 - Aside from wide receivers against Seattle’s secondary, is there a position where you think New England has an edge over the Seahawks?
The Seahawks were one of the most impressive offenses to watch last season. However, the Patriots' defensive backfield did a great job of limiting the passing attack in the Super Bowl. Christian Gonzalez should be playing inspired after signing a new deal. He also helped put NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Azkaban by holding him to only four catches for 27 yards in the big game last season.
Marcus Jones is one of the best slot corners in the league, and Carlton Davis III is a talented veteran and Super Bowl champion. Safety Craig Woodson was one of the Patriots' best players in the Super Bowl on defense, and the team also added First-Team All-Pro Kevin Byard, who led the NFL in interceptions last season.
No. 4 - Who is a non-household name you think the 12th Man should be made aware of?
With Harold Landry out for this game, the Patriots will likely turn to Elijah Ponder to play opposite of Dre'Mont Jones on the edge. Ponder, a former undrafted free agent, has been a great find for the Patriots. He's an athletic freak with plenty of upside and potential.
No. 5 - Who wins and why?
I agree with Maye on this not being a revenge game. This is a different Patriots team, and they'll be facing a different Seahawks team. They can never get that Super Bowl back, just like the Seahawks can't conjure up a neurolyzer and magically erase the loss to Tom Brady and the Super Bowl era Patriots, either.
With that said, I am leaning toward Seattle if safety Nick Emmawori can play in this game. If not, I believe the Seahawks' secondary is going to have a tough time staving off the Patriots' offense with both Emmanwori and Ty Okada out. With that said, the offensive line has to do a much better job than it did in the Super Bowl. Lumen Field is one of the toughest places to play, and I'm sure that crowd will be rollicking with excitement on opening night.
But there are real questions there, too. How will the Seahawks' offense look without Klint Kubiak? Will the change impact Sam Darnold's game? I think the Seahawks could find real success with the run game. However, if the Patriots were ever going to steal one in Seattle, it would be in Week 1 of the regular season. New England 24, Seattle 21.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: 5 things to know about the New England Patriots
