The NFL season opens with a Super Bowl rematch. The Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on Wednesday night in the 2026 NFL Kickoff Game at Lumen Field. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET.
Seattle is favored by 3.5 points, with the over/under set at 44.5. The game is a rematch of Super Bowl LX, which Seattle won 29-13. SportsLine’s team of NFL experts has broken down the matchup and revealed three best bets for the opener.
The Super Bowl Rematch
This is just the third time in NFL history that Week 1 has featured a rematch of the previous season’s Super Bowl. It is also only the fifth NFL game played on a Wednesday since 1950, and the first since a pair of Christmas games in 2024.
Defending Super Bowl champions have a strong track record in these openers. They are 16-5 in NFL Kickoff games since the format was introduced in 2004.
Seattle returns quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Head coach Mike Macdonald is looking for another strong campaign after becoming the third-youngest head coach to win the Super Bowl. New England counters with MVP runner-up Drake Maye, who became the second-youngest quarterback to start a Super Bowl.
The Three Best Bets
SportsLine experts have settled on three specific wagers for Wednesday night. Each comes with its own reasoning, and each targets a different part of the game.
- AJ Barner Over 24.5 receiving yards (-114)
- Under 44.5 points (-110)
- Seahawks -3 (-118)
The picks cover a player prop, a total, and the spread. All three are available at major sportsbooks, with DraftKings offering new users $200 in bonus bets after a first $5 wager. FanDuel is offering $350 in bonus bets for the game.
AJ Barner’s Big Spot
SportsLine expert Alex Selesnick likes the Seahawks tight end to exceed 24.5 receiving yards. Barner had a strong rookie season and became a reliable target for Darnold.
“I like this spot for AJ Barner who looks like an ascending player for the defending champion Seattle Seahawks,” Selesnick said. “Barner had a strong rookie season and was a reliable target for Sam Darnold. He dealt with numerous injuries which were addressed in the offseason. New Seahawks OC Brian Fleury, who served as the TE coach in San Francisco for the last four seasons, figures to feature the position more. There is minimal target competition after JSN. The Patriots did give up above average production to opposing Tight Ends last season.”
Barner’s rookie numbers were solid, but injuries limited his consistency. The offseason addressed those issues, and the new offensive coordinator’s background suggests the tight end position will be a bigger part of the game plan. With Smith-Njigba drawing most of the defensive attention, Barner could see plenty of opportunities.
The Under Is the Best Angle
R.J. White, another SportsLine expert, sees the total as the strongest play. He points directly to the Super Bowl performance as evidence.
“A Super Bowl rematch kicks off the season, and I see the Under as the best angle in the game,” White said. “The Pats offense had no answer for Seattle’s defense in February, punting on eight straight drives to open the game and turning the ball over on three of their next four drives. Will the O-line be that much better? The Seahawks lost talented OC Klint Kubiak and have questions about the rushing attack, so they might not be able to run up the score in the same way this time around. This one might struggle to get to 40 points.”
“The Pats offense had no answer for Seattle’s defense in February, punting on eight straight drives to open the game and turning the ball over on three of their next four drives.”
The Patriots’ offensive line was a major problem in February. Seattle’s defense dominated from the start, and New England never found a rhythm. White is skeptical that the line has improved enough to change the outcome.
Seattle also has questions on offense. The loss of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak could slow the rushing attack. If the Seahawks cannot run the ball effectively, the game could stay low-scoring.
Seattle Still Looks Strong
Emory Hunt, the third SportsLine expert, is backing the Seahawks to cover the spread. He believes Seattle remains one of the best teams in the league.
“Defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks still looks like a juggernaut in the NFL this season,” Hunt said. “Rarely do you see a team that won the Super Bowl retain a good amount of their key contributors from that team. While the Patriots have vastly upgraded at WR and have strengthened the offensive line, I still believe the Seahawks still own a slight edge in this game.”
Hunt acknowledges that New England has improved. The Patriots added weapons at wide receiver and addressed the offensive line. But he still gives Seattle the edge.
The Seahawks kept most of their core intact after the Super Bowl win. That continuity matters in a season opener. New England, by contrast, is still integrating new pieces.
How to Bet the Game
Several sportsbooks are offering promotions for the Kickoff Game. DraftKings gives new users $200 in bonus bets after a first wager of $5. FanDuel offers $350 in bonus bets. bet365 provides $365 in bonus bets after a $10 wager. BetMGM runs a promotion through its bonus code.
Seattle is listed as a 3.5-point favorite, with the total at 44.5.
Wednesday night games are rare in the NFL. The league has played only four others since 1950. The most recent came on Christmas in 2024, when two games were played.
What to Watch
The Patriots’ offense will be the key storyline. Drake Maye showed promise last season, finishing as the MVP runner-up. But the Super Bowl exposed real problems. Eight straight punts to open the game is a brutal stat.
Seattle’s defense was dominant in the Super Bowl. If the Patriots cannot protect Maye, this game could look a lot like February.
On the other side, the Seahawks need to prove they can score without Kubiak. Darnold has weapons, and Smith-Njigba is a legitimate star. But the rushing attack is a question mark. If Seattle cannot run the ball, the offense could stall.
The Pick
White picked the Under. His reasoning is straightforward: the Super Bowl showed a Patriots offense that could not move the ball, and Seattle’s offense may not be explosive enough to make up the difference. He said the game might struggle to get to 40 points.
Hunt picked the Seahawks at -3. He believes Seattle still owns a slight edge despite New England’s upgrades at receiver and on the offensive line.
Selesnick picked Barner to go over 24.5 receiving yards. The tight end should see targets, and the Patriots struggled against the position last season. The new offensive coordinator’s history with tight ends only strengthens the case.
Game Day Details
The game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Seahawks are the defending Super Bowl champions. The Patriots are looking for revenge.
A win in the opener sets the tone for the year. A loss, especially for the Patriots, would raise questions immediately.
The NFL schedule makers could not have asked for a better opening game. A rematch of the Super Bowl, on a rare Wednesday night, with two quarterbacks leading their teams. The stakes are clear from the first snap.
Betting lines and promotions are subject to change. Check your preferred sportsbook for the latest odds before placing a wager.
Source: cbssports.com
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