Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Patriots vs Seahawks: Ben Brown inactive, Seattle favored

9/9/2026

1 1 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The New England Patriots open the 2026 season against the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday night.
Patriots offensive lineman Ben Brown (knee injury) is inactive and did not travel to Seattle.
Seattle enters as 3½-point favorites with a league-low 17.2 points allowed per game in 2025.
The matchup is the Patriots’ first Wednesday game and a Super Bowl LX rematch after a 29-13 loss.

History

Historical Context

On February 3 2002 the New England Patriots, led by coach Bill Belichick and rookie quarterback Tom Brady, upset the 14-2 St. Louis Rams 20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI—the NFL’s first February championship after the September 11 postponements. That win launched the Patriots’ early-2000s resurgence, and the team now revisits Seattle for a Wednesday opener that echoes the 2002 clash.

1 of 2

Story summary

The New England Patriots open the 2026 season against the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday night.
Patriots offensive lineman Ben Brown (knee injury) is inactive and did not travel to Seattle.
Seattle enters as 3½-point favorites with a league-low 17.2 points allowed per game in 2025.
The matchup is the Patriots’ first Wednesday game and a Super Bowl LX rematch after a 29-13 loss.

1 / 2