The Seattle Seahawks are kicking off the 2026 season the same way they ended the 2025 season- playing the New England Patriots.
The Seahawks got the better of the Patriots in the big game, but it won’t be easy to win again. Both of these teams figure to contend once again, so this game will be a good litmus test.
So, what do the Seahawks need to do to win? Today, let’s identify the four players who will be X-factors in this highly anticipated matchup.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
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It goes without saying, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be crucial in this one. Smith-Njigba is one of the best receivers in football and is a massive part of the Seahawks’ offense. Smith-Njigba will have a tough test in Week 1, as he has to go against Christian Gonzalez, one of the best corners in football.
In the Super Bowl, the Patriots kept Smith-Njigba in check, holding the receiver to 27 yards. The Patriots’ secondary is a tough matchup for any receiver, but Smith-Njigba is going to have to get more than 27 yards for the Seahawks to win in Week 1.
Jadarian Price
This will be the first NFL game for rookie running back Jadarian Price. The Seahawks just used a first-round pick on him, so expectations are naturally high. Zach Charbonnet is also out, making Price that much more important.
In the Super Bowl, Kenneth Walker II rushed for over 100 yards on this defense. If Love can do that in Week 1, not only will the Seahawks likely win, but they’ll be able to feel good about their running back room.
Byron Murphy II
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Byron Murphy II dominated in the Super Bowl. The massive defensive tackle had no problems with the Patriots’ offensive line and got into the backfield consistently in both halves.
Murphy ended up with two sacks and was also a big reason why the Patriots were unable to do anything on the ground. If Murphy wreaks havoc in the pass rush and clogs running lanes as dominantly as he did in the previous matchup, it’ll be a long night for the Patriots.
Julian Love
The Seahawks would be very thin at safety even without injuries. However, Nick Emmanwori and Ty Okada both seem unlikely to play, meaning Julian Love is the only healthy safety on the roster right now.
The team does have a few safeties on the practice squad, so it seems likely one of them will be called up to start. This means Love will be even more important and will be relied upon to keep the backend afloat.
