The NFL season starts tonight. The Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots at Lumen Field in Seattle in a repeat of Super Bowl LX. Seattle won that game 29-13 behind running back Kenneth Walker III, who was named MVP with 135 yards rushing.
The Kickoff Game begins at 8:20 p.m. EST on NBC and Peacock. A show before the game starts at 7 p.m. EST on the same networks. Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready will perform the national anthem.
How To Watch The 2026 NFL Kickoff Game
NBC is the main home for the game. People with a cable package can tune in through their local NBC station. People who stream can watch on NBC’s Peacock or on NFL+, the league’s own service.
The broadcast crew returns for another season. Mike Tirico, Chris Collinsworth, and Melissa Stark are back. The show before the game, “Football Night in America,” features host Maria Taylor with analysts Mike Tomlin, Jason Garrett, Devin McCourty, and Mike Florio.
Who Is Playing Tonight
This is the first meeting between these teams since Super Bowl LX. Seattle’s defensive unit held Patriots quarterback Drake Maye without points until the fourth quarter. The Seahawks offensive unit managed four field goals in the first three quarters before scoring late to seal the win.
The Patriots set a record with 12 Super Bowl appearances in that game. They also set a record with six Super Bowl losses. Walker signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after the season, making that game his last as a Seahawk.
Major Storylines For The Season
Player moves shaped the summer. Myles Garrett went from the Browns to the Rams. The Patriots traded for Philadelphia wide receiver A.J. Brown to strengthen their attack.
Quarterbacks are in new places across the league. Kirk Cousins leads Las Vegas. Malik Willis starts in Miami. Kyler Murray moved to Minnesota. Geno Smith joined the Jets in New York.
Coaching changes were equally large. Longtime Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stepped away and was replaced by Mike McCarthy, who previously coached the Packers and Cowboys. John Harbaugh left Baltimore and now leads the New York Giants. The Bills moved on from Sean McDermott and promoted Joe Brady.
What The Odds Say
Sportsbooks project the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens as the teams with the highest win totals. The Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals have the least support from gamblers, as both will test new quarterbacks this season.
Super Bowl contender lists include the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and last year’s two final teams, Seattle and New England. The Rams are also on that list, with a chance to reach Super Bowl LXI in their home stadium.
MVP odds favor quarterbacks. Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow have the best chances. Among rookies, analysts point to Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love and Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate as the most likely to make a quick mark.
The season brings major questions:
- Can the Rams’ retooled defense lead them to Super Bowl LXI in their home stadium?
- Will Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs rebound after an off year?
- Is this the year the Buffalo Bills reach and possibly win a Super Bowl?
The season is long, and every team starts even tonight.
Football is back.
Source: tvline.com