The 2026 NFL Season gets under way on Wednesday night with the kickoff game. There are two unusual things about this first game of the season. First, it’s taking place on Wednesday night instead of the typical Thursday night opener. Second, it’s an actual Super Bowl re-match.

We’ve seen the kickoff game since 2002, and since 2004 it’s mostly been the defending Super Bowl champion kicking things off. In those games the home team usually prevails, holding an 18-6 record in the kickoff games. And, mostly, that’s benefitted the defending champions, who are 17-4 in the kickoff game. That includes last year when the Eagles beat the Dallas Cowboys.

This year it’s the Seattle Seahawks squaring off against the New England Patriots. The Seahawks won in a walk over in the Super Bowl, but things could be closer to kick start the season. The Patriots have gotten better, adding A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, while the Seahawks are without reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker. Still, it should be an exciting battle.

For fantasy, there are plenty of implications. With the Patriots, Drake Maye should be a QB1 this season, including a top tier QB1 for the season. I like him more as a low-end QB1 this week. I do like A.J. Brown as a start. I think he’ll get off well and should end up pushing for Top 12 despite the matchup. Hunter Henry is a TE2 for me, and Doubs is a low-end flex option. In the backfield, I like Rhamondre Stevenson as a low-end flex.

For the Seahawks, Sam Darnold is back at quarterback. I think he’s a mid-to-low-end QB2. In the passing game, I like Jaxon Smith-Njigba. I think he’s a WR1 this week. I also like Rashid Shaheed. I think he’s got some flex appeal for Week 1. In the backfield, I like Jadarian Price. I think he’s a low-end RB2 this week.

I’m taking the Seahawks in the re-match. Below are the rest of the Week 1 picks!

NFL Picks, Week 1:

Seahawks Over Patriots
Rams Over 49ers
Bengals Over Buccaneers
Lions Over Saints
Jets Over Titans
Colts Over Ravens
Steelers Over Falcons
Bears Over Panthers
Jaguars Over Browns
Bills Over Texans
Raiders Over Dolphins
Vikings Over Packers
Eagles Over Commanders
Chargers Over Cardinals
Cowboys Over Giants
Broncos Over Chiefs

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.