NFL Analyst Reveals Mixed Week 1 Prediction For Patriots Vs. Seahawks

NFL Analyst Reveals Mixed Week 1 Prediction For Patriots Vs. Seahawks originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The full 2026 NFL schedule hasn't been released yet, but the New England Patriots already know who they're playing in Week 1.

The Patriots will kick off their 2026 campaign on the road against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL season opener on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

After getting crushed by the Seahawks 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, how will the reigning AFC champs fare in their Super Bowl rematch with Seattle?

NFL analyst Gregg Rosenthal shared a mixed Week 1 prediction for New England on "Patriots Press Pass" this week.

"I would tend to think it's gonna be more competitive. I think defensively in that game, they did have a lot of answers," Rosenthal said. "By that point of the season, they were taking on water offensively, and I just don't think that's gonna be the Patriots offense that you'll see, Drake Maye not playing with a ton of confidence."

While the Patriots should play better than they did in the Super Bowl, especially offensively if they trade for A.J. Brown, the Seahawks are still a dangerous team and a tough matchup for them.

"That's a tough matchup to walk into. That is a veteran and yet young defense," Rosenthal added. "I think that would be a very difficult week one. If they were gonna get blown out by the Seahawks, it would probably be in week one."

New England lost to the lowly Las Vegas Raiders at home last year in Week 1, so anything's possible.

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