The 2026 NFL Kickoff Game promises excitement as the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on Wednesday, September 9. This matchup mirrors last season's finale, where the Seahawks triumphed over the Patriots with a 29-13 victory in the Super Bowl, capping off a stellar 14-3 regular season for both teams.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET at Lumen Field in Seattle, marking a unique occurrence as this is the second Kickoff Game not held on a Thursday. The Seahawks are favored by 3.5 points, with an over/under set at 44.5 points.

As the game approaches, the SportsLine projection model, which has successfully simulated NFL games 10,000 times, indicates favorable outcomes for bettors. The model boasts a remarkable $7,000 profit for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception, entering the 2026 season with a 53-37 record on those picks since 2024.

Key betting lines include:

• Spread: Seattle -3.5
• Over/Under: 44.5 points
• Money Line: Seattle -201, New England +167

The model predicts a strong offensive performance, projecting the total points to exceed the 44.5 mark. Both teams showcased high-scoring offenses last season, and with offseason upgrades like A.J. Brown for New England and a promising backfield for Seattle, fans can expect a dynamic game.

Notably, the Over hit in 7 of 9 games when Seattle was a home favorite last season, while the Patriots also had a commendable 11-6 Over record in 2025. Given these trends and the history of high-scoring encounters between these teams, the model forecasts 46 combined points.

For detailed picks and insights, SportsLine offers comprehensive analysis on which side to back in this thrilling matchup.