The 2026 NFL season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9, with a Super Bowl LX rematch at Lumen Field, where the defending champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots. NBC Sports broadcasts the game live across NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo, marking the first Week 1 Super Bowl rematch in a decade.
- The Matchup: Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks host Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX.
- Broadcast Details: Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on September 9 with the NFL Kickoff Special, followed by kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET via NBC Sports.
- Coaching Milestone: Former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin makes his regular-season debut as an NBC Sports studio analyst during the pregame show.
A Rare Week 1 Championship Rematch Hits Prime Time
When the schedule makers handed NBC Sports its 21st consecutive NFL season opener, they leaned straight into cinematic narrative. According to NBC Sports, next Wednesday’s clash at Lumen Field marks the first Super Bowl rematch in an NFL Kickoff Game since 2016, when the Denver Broncos faced the Carolina Panthers. Historically, it stands as only the third Week 1 Super Bowl rematch of all time, following a matchup between the Vikings and Chiefs.
Seattle enters the contest holding the upper hand after defeating New England 29-13 in Super Bowl LX. The Seahawks return a formidable core under center and across the field, anchored by quarterback Sam Darnold, reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and All-Pro defensive tackle Leonard Williams. Meanwhile, the Patriots counter with rising star Drake Maye, All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez, and newly acquired three-time All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown making his official team debut.
Here is the kicker: the broadcast booth will feature familiar voices just seven months removed from calling the championship game itself. Play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico and analyst Cris Collinsworth return to the call, joined by sideline reporters Melissa Stark and Kaylee Hartung, with referee Terry McAulay stepping in as the rules analyst.
Mike Tomlin Transitions to the Studio Desk
The pregame landscape on NBC underwent a high-profile shift ahead of kickoff. Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin joins the Football Night in America desk for his regular-season debut with the network. Tomlin wrapped up 19 seasons in Pittsburgh (2007–25), racking up 193 regular-season wins—good for ninth all-time—alongside 13 postseason appearances and a historic streak of zero losing seasons.
Tomlin links up with host Maria Taylor, former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett, three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty, and NFL insider Mike Florio on-site in Seattle. Having spent years shaping league policy on the influential NFL Competition Committee, Tomlin brings a tactical lens to the studio coverage.
| Game Date | Matchup | Broadcast Network | Key Talent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 | New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks | NBC, Peacock, Telemundo | Sam Darnold, Drake Maye, Mike Tirico |
| Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026 | Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants | NBC, Peacock | Dak Prescott, Jaxson Dart, John Harbaugh |
Sunday Night Football Expands the Opening Week Slate
The football onslaught does not stop in the Pacific Northwest. Four days after the opener, NBC Sports rolls out the season debut of Sunday Night Football—retaining its crown as America’s No. 1 primetime television show for an unprecedented 15 consecutive years. According to NBC Sports, the Sunday night opener on September 13 sends the Dallas Cowboys to face the New York Giants.
That clash serves as John Harbaugh’s official head coaching debut with New York. It also highlights a fierce divisional rivalry, marking the 14th time the Cowboys and Giants square off under the Sunday Night Football banner. Dallas counters with 11-year veteran Dak Prescott under center, throwing to All-Pro wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, while the Giants reply with young quarterback Jaxson Dart, Pro Bowl wide receiver Malik Nabers, and All-Pro linebacker Brian Burns.
As the league dives headfirst into another high-stakes autumn, the intersection of marquee rematches and shifting coaching legends proves that football remains appointment viewing. Drop a comment below: Can Drake Maye and the Patriots exact revenge, or will Seattle’s championship defense pick up right where they left off?
