Pro Picks: Seahawks will edge
Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch to kick off the NFL season
[September 09, 2026]
By ROB MAADDI
Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks will see their championship
banner raised before hosting Drake Maye and the New England Patriots
in a Super Bowl rematch to kick off the NFL season on Wednesday
night.
Are you ready for some football?
The 2026 season begins in Seattle one day before the 49ers and Rams
meet in Melbourne, Australia, in the first of nine international
games.
Led by their “Dark Side” defense, the Seahawks dominated the
Patriots 29-13 to win the franchise's second Super Bowl in February.
They lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, cornerback Riq Woolen,
safety Coby Bryant and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. But
they're 3 1/2-point favorites against New England.
“It’s going to be electric,” Seahawks All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba
said on AP's “Football Unfiltered” podcast. “I’m excited. ...
Definitely looking forward to being out there again on this new
journey with our new team, with our fans, it’s going be awesome.”
The Patriots gave Maye a new No. 1 receiver, acquiring A.J. Brown
from Philadelphia. They also signed veteran wideout Romeo Doubs and
bolstered the secondary by adding All-Pro safety Kevin Byard.
Pro Picks expects a close one.
SEAHAWKS: 23-22
SAN FRANCISCO vs. LOS ANGELES RAMS, in Australia
Line: Rams minus 3 ½
Aaron Donald is back to join Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie on a
star-studded defense in Los Angeles. With a dynamic offense led by
reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford and All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua,
the Rams are Super Bowl favorites. But they’re in the toughest
division in the NFL and the 49ers were one win away from the No. 1
seed last season. The teams split in 2025 and the Rams have won four
of the last five. Los Angeles was 9-3 against the spread when
favored by at least 3 ½ points last season.
RAMS: 27-20
NEW YORK JETS at TENNESSEE
Line: Titans minus 1 ½
Robert Saleh’s first game as coach of the Titans is against the team
that fired him in 2024. He has Cam Ward. The Jets have Geno Smith.
Saleh is in a better spot now.
TITANS: 19-16
NEW ORLEANS at DETROIT
Line: Lions minus 6 1/2
Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Lions have too
much offense for the Saints, who had a promising finish last season
but lost a few key players in training camp.
LIONS: 30-20
CLEVELAND at JACKSONVILLE
Line: Jaguars minus 8 ½
The Jaguars won 13 games last season and have most of their starters
back. The Browns traded Garrett and are giving Deshaun Watson his
first start since Oct. 20, 2024. This won’t be close.
JAGUARS 27-12
CHICAGO at CAROLINA
Line: Bears minus 3
Both teams won their division last season though Carolina did it
with a losing record. Expectations are high for Caleb Williams in
his second season in Ben Johnson’s offense. Get ready for the first
“Good, better, best” chant in Chicago’s locker room of the new
season. Not predicting whether Johnson keeps his shirt on.
BEARS: 24-18
TAMPA BAY at CINCINNATI
Line: Bengals minus 3 ½
After starting 0-2 four times in Joe Burrow’s first five seasons,
the Bengals opened 3-0 last year before things went downhill. They
bolstered their defense to go with a prolific offense. Baker
Mayfield and the Buccaneers will be a tough test for that new-look
defense featuring Dexter Lawrence.
BENGALS: 26-24
ATLANTA at PITTSBURGH
Line: Steelers minus 3 ½
Tua Tagovailoa and Kevin Stefanski try to spoil Aaron Rodgers and
Mike McCarthy’s reunion. Bijan Robinson gives the Falcons their best
chance. Rodgers goes against a depleted pass rush so he should have
time to throw to DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman.
STEELERS: 24-17
[to top of second column] |
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown takes a break during
an NFL football practice, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Foxborough,
Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
BUFFALO at HOUSTON
Line: Bills minus 1 ½
Joe Brady’s first game as Buffalo’s coach will be a major challenge
against DeMeco Ryans and his stingy defense in Houston. C.J. Stroud
plays his first game since his turnover debacle in the playoffs. Pro
Picks has Josh Allen and the Bills beating the Texans in the AFC
title game.
TEXANS: 19-17
BALTIMORE at INDIANAPOLIS
Line: Ravens minus 3 ½
Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the Ravens have high expectations
in coach Jesse Minter’s first season. Daniel Jones is back for
Indianapolis. So is Sauce Gardner. The Colts finished last season
with seven straight losses after opening 8-2.
RAVENS: 23-20
GREEN BAY at MINNESOTA
Line: Packers minus 1 ½
Jordan Love and the Packers were 0-5 without Micah Parsons last
season. He’s not back until October so they can’t afford to wait for
a win. Kyler Murray makes his first start for the Vikings, aiming to
become Kevin O’Connell’s next reclamation project.
VIKINGS: 23-20
WASHINGTON at PHILADELPHIA
Line: Eagles minus 5 ½
Jalen Hurts begins his fifth straight season with a new offensive
coordinator as Sean Mannion replaced Kevin Patullo. Hurts could have
a big year if Mannion unlocks Saquon Barkley and the run game. The
Commanders had a terrible defense last season. They added Sonny
Styles and some veterans but a banged-up offensive line will
struggle protecting Jayden Daniels against Philadelphia’s fierce
defense.
BEST BET: EAGLES: 31-16
MIAMI at LAS VEGAS
Line: Raiders minus 3 ½
Two rookie coaches meet in a matchup of two teams that aren’t going
to win many games. Kirk Cousins and the Raiders get the first one,
though stopping Dolphins running back De’Von Achane will be a tough
task for Las Vegas’ defense.
RAIDERS: 20-17
ARIZONA at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Line: Chargers minus 9 ½
Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers have won 11 games in each of his first two
seasons and brought in Mike McDaniel to run the offense led by
Justin Herbert. Rookie coach Mike LaFleur is starting the season
with veteran Jacoby Brissett. Los Angeles has dominated inferior
teams under Harbaugh.
CHARGERS: 30-16
DALLAS at NEW YORK GIANTS
Line: Cowboys minus 3
The Cowboys can score behind Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George
Pickens. They hope new coordinator Christian Parker, rookie safety
Caleb Downs and other additions improve the defense enough to make
them a contender. John Harbaugh is the new man in charge in New
York. Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo and the rest of the Giants will be
better for it. Not enough to win this week.
COWBOYS: 26-20
DENVER at KANSAS CITY
Line: Chiefs minus 2 1/2
Patrick Mahomes is back after tearing his ACL last Dec. 14 and the
Chiefs are coming off their first losing season under Andy Reid. He
faces one of the NFL’s best defenses. Bo Nix returns for the Broncos
after an ankle injury forced him to miss the AFC championship game.
Denver has won three in a row in the series and four of five after
losing 16 straight.
UPSET SPECIAL: BRONCOS: 23-20
2025
Overall: Straight up: 194-90-1. Against spread: 149-128-8.
Best Bet: Straight up: 15-6. Against spread: 9-11-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 14-7. Against spread: 15-6.
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