New Delhi, Sept. 9 -- The NFL 2026 season opens on Wednesday with an unusual pairing and an unfinished argument. The Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots at Lumen Field at 8:20 PM ET on NBC, seven months after Seattle won Super Bowl LX, 29-13.

The league shifted kickoff night to Wednesday to clear Thursday for the 49ers-Rams game in Australia. Before the first snap, the defending champions will raise their banner in front of the same opponent they beat in February. That setting, more than the calendar, is why this opener matters.

Super Bowl LX was not close. Seattle Seahawks' defense sacked Drake Maye six times and held New England scoreless through three quarters. The Seahawks led 29-7 before a late Patriots touchdown. Kennet...