Early look: How to bet the Patriots vs. Seahawks NFL Kickoff Game in Week 1

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Rylie Mills (98) celebrates after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Following last week’s NFL schedule release, football fans can now spend the offseason analyzing the week-by-week matchups for their favorite team. The new season starts with a bang on Wednesday, Sept. 9, when the Patriots travel to the always boisterous Lumen Field for a clash with the reigning champion Seahawks. This marks the third time in NFL history that Week 1 features a Super Bowl rematch. Seattle pounded New England 29-13 in the final game of the 2025-26 season. Patriots QB Drake Maye was sacked six times and threw two interceptions, while former Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III’s 161 all-purpose yards were enough to earn Super Bowl MVP honors. Head coach Mike Vrabel’s squad was held scoreless until the 12:27 mark of the fourth quarter. Can NFL fans and bettors expect a different result when the teams square off in the NFL Kickoff Game? The NFL Week 1 odds are a good indication of what’s to come. If you’re ready to place an early bet, consider tailing our Patriots vs. Seahawks NFL Kickoff Game predictions. Patriots vs. Seahawks odds for the 2026 NFL Kickoff Game Soon after the NFL schedule dropped on Thursday, May 14, sportsbooks released betting lines and odds for Week 1. Here’s a look at the Week 1 figures when New England looks to exact revenge on Seattle. Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. The betting odds for the NFL Kickoff Game are a bit of a head-scratcher. When these teams met at Levi’s Stadium in February, the Super Bowl odds were nearly identical to what’s listed above. Seattle was a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 45.5 points. Despite the masterclass put on by the Seahawks’ defense and head coach Mike Macdonald, oddsmakers are comfortable running back the same spread. It won’t be any easier for Maye to operate at Lumen Field, which boasts one of the best home-field advantages in the NFL. Line shopping is always important for bettors seeking the best value, and this Week 1 showdown is a great example. The Seahawks are 4.5-point favorites at nearly every site, but DraftKings Sportsbook has the spread at Seattle -3.5. If you plan on backing the defending Super Bowl champions, DraftKings is the way to go. MORE: Claim the best online sportsbook promos before placing early bets for the 2026-27 NFL season. NFL Week 1 best bets and predictions for Patriots vs. Seahawks The team that won the previous Super Bowl has played in the NFL Kickoff Game 21 times since 2002. The championship hangover didn’t have an immediate impact, as they earned a straight-up record of 16-5. Vrabel is also 2-5 in Week 1 games dating back to his head coaching debut with the Titans in 2018. The Seahawks lost a few of the key defensive contributors who helped whomp Maye and the Patriots in Super Bowl 60. S Coby Bryant, CB Riq Woolen and DE Boye Mafe left in free agency, but general manager John Schneider made moves to cover each departure. Most importantly, Seattle returns much of its dominant defensive line. Top pass rushers Uchenna Nwosu, Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence are back, along with DT Byron Murphy II. Mix in a young but talented secondary featuring Nick Emmanwori, Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe, and there should be little drop off from the defense. The unit will face a tougher test against New England if it follows through on the expected signing of AJ Brown and the offseason acquisition of Romeo Doubs. However, moving the ball through the air will be a struggle if RBs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson can’t establish the run. The Patriots duo was held to 42 rushing yards in Super Bowl 60. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 27 yards in the big game, but that should only serve as motivation for a much better performance in Week 1. If QB Sam Darnold’s consistency and big-play abilities carry into the 2026-27 season, the Seahawks should cruise to a win and cover against the Patriots. I also like new Seahawks RB Emanual Wilson to find the end zone in the season opener. Walker III inked a deal with the Chiefs this offseason, and RB2 Zach Charbonnet’s torn ACL will likely sideline him until December. Schneider drafted Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, but it’s hard to imagine Price getting a lion’s share of the touches in his debut. Wilson isn’t a superstar, but he’s a fourth-year veteran who serves as a more reliable option when Seattle’s offense reaches goal-to-go situations in Week 1. Plus, Wilson’s +200 odds are more attractive than betting Price to score at +110.