It’s back! The NFL returns to our lives this week and thank God it does. It’s been an offseason filled with turmoil. From relationships between head coaches and reporters, NFL owners who got caught up in the wrong stuff, and fake NFL players who have scammed people out of cash. The San Francisco 49ers alone had as much drama as a soap opera. So, it will be nice to just focus on the product on the field. Here are our Top 3 2026 NFL Games Week 1.
New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks – Wednesday Night
The Super Bowl rematch gets us started. There is no better way to start the year than to have a game that ended the previous season. The Hawks hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara last February. While the Patriots could be looking for “revenge”, a week 1 win will not vindicate a Super Bowl loss. The Pats really upgraded their offense with an A.J. Brown trade this offseason while the Seahawks lost their Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to the Chiefs. I really think the Pats had one of the most productive offseasons and while I don’t envision a full hangover, I think the Hawks will be a little tipsy. Prediction: Patriots 24 Seahawks 20
San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams
The 49ers and the Rams will kick their season off in Melbourne, Australia inside a cricket ground that seats over 100 thousand fans. The teams have taken two different approaches to the logistics of this game. The 49ers came a week early and have adjusted while the Rams are coming 24 hours before the game and hoping the jet lag doesn’t get in the way. Bold strategy. The biggest news here is that Aaron Donald will not travel with the team for this game. He and Myles Garrett will eventually form one of the scariest duos in the league, just not in Week 1. I think the 49ers made the right call coming early and will return Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and likely, George Kittle. Prediction: 49ers 23 Rams 17
Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs
The last time we saw Patrick Mahomes he had just tore his ACL and LCL in a game that quickly ended the Chiefs season. KC handed over the reins of the division to the Broncos, and they marched all the way to the AFC Championship game and were a few snowy series away from playing for the Lombardi Trophy. Miraculously, Mahomes is already taking the field and is expected to start Week 1 way ahead of schedule. While he knows his body better than anyone else, I do still think the Broncos are the better team in this game. Denver has an outstanding defense, and on offense, they added Jaylen Waddle via trade to boost their wide receiver corps. Once Sean Payton gets your number, it’s hard to get it back. This is an old school coaching rivalry that we get to see again this season, so sit back and enjoy. Prediction: Broncos 28 Chiefs 21