Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks on in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images The 2026 NFL season will begin the way last season ended: with a matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.
New England played what was arguably its worst game of the season in Super Bowl LX and it was reflected on the scoreboard as Seattle breezed to a 29-13 victory. That led many to opine that the Patriots were little more than the product of any easy schedule, which should have the New England fan base fired up for Wednesday night’s rematch.
Seattle will be at home and the Seahawks are listed as at least a 3-point favorite in most places, but the Patriots have much more than a puncher’s chance. Here are three areas where New England will have to perform well to leave Seattle with a victory:
Protect Drake Maye
Keeping Seattle defenders away from their quarterback may have been the Patriots No. 1 problem in the Super Bowl. The Seahawks recorded six sacks, four of which came from a four-man rush with no blitz.
Seattle attacked the left side of New England’s offensive line, where the Patriots started rookies at tackle (Will Campbell) and guard (Jared Wilson). It didn’t help that Campbell tore his right MCL earlier in the season and wasn’t 100 percent healthy for the playoffs.
The Patriots addressed their offensive line issues by signing free agent Alijah Vera-Tucker, who they have plugged in at left guard. That allowed New England to shift Wilson to center, which is his natural position.
It all starts up front and we’ll see if adding Vera-Tucker plus Campbell’s improved health will allow New England to have a functional passing game.
Win the run game
Jul 28, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) walks to practice for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images By win, we mean the Patriots must rush for more yards than the Seahawks. Seattle outgained New England 141-79 on the ground in the Super Bowl, but if you’re a New England fan there is reason for optimism. Kenneth Walker ran for 135 yards on 27 carries in the Super Bowl, but he’s no longer on the roster. Walker, the Super Bowl MVP, signed with Kansas City as a free agent and Seattle replaced him with former Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price, the 32nd pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Stopping Seattle’s rushing attack is only half of the problem, however. New England will have to find a way to be more successful on the ground and may have to get the job done without second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson, who is nursing an ankle injury and hasn’t practiced since Aug. 24. New England will likely need a big game from Rhamondre Stevenson.
Christian Gonzalez must show his worth
Jul 28, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) walks to practice for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Gonzalez just got a new a contract extension, and the Patriots will need him to perform like one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks to win the opener. The good news is that’s not asking too much. Gonzalez was New England’s best player in the Super Bowl, when he covered Jaxon Smith-Njigba on 14 plays and held him to one catch for 16 yards on three targets. Smith-Njigba led the league in receiving yards during the 2025 season (1,793). If Smith-Njigba has a big night, the Seahawks will probably have a big night as well.
