The countdown to the 2026 NFL season is officially on, and for the New England Patriots, it all starts with a blockbuster rematch. The Patriots will head to Seattle for their Week 1 showdown against the Seahawks on Wednesday, September 9—a game that carries extra weight as a Super Bowl LX rematch.

After falling 29-13 to the Seahawks in the big game, the Patriots have plenty of motivation. But how will this season opener play out? NFL analyst Gregg Rosenthal recently shared his take on "Patriots Press Pass," and it's a prediction full of cautious optimism.

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

The key here is improvement. The Patriots' offense should look sharper in 2026, especially if they make a move for a playmaker like A.J. Brown. But even with those upgrades, the Seahawks remain a formidable opponent. "That's a tough matchup to walk into," Rosenthal added. "That is a veteran and yet young defense. I think that would be a very difficult Week 1. If they were going to get blown out by the Seahawks, it would probably be in Week 1."

Still, as any football fan knows, anything can happen on opening day. Just last season, the Patriots stumbled against the lowly Las Vegas Raiders at home in Week 1. So while the Seahawks are a tougher test, the Patriots have every reason to believe they can flip the script.

Whether you're gearing up for game day or just love the thrill of a fresh season, this matchup is one to watch. Will the Patriots rise to the occasion, or will Seattle's defense prove too much? Only time will tell—but one thing's for sure: you'll want to be ready in your best team gear.