Patriots vs. Seahawks: How to Watch the Week 1 Showdown

It’s finally here – the NFL’s first‑night marquee matchup of the 2026 season. The New England Patriots are flying west to Lumen Field to square off against the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

The game kicks off at 5:20 p.m. MST, which is 8:20 p.m. ET for the bulk of the country. If you’re in the Mountain or Pacific time zones, set your clocks accordingly; you won’t want to miss the opening drive.

On the TV side, the broadcast belongs to NBC’s Sunday Night Football package (yes, the schedule still uses the “Sunday Night” brand even for a Wednesday opener). So if you have a basic cable or antenna that pulls in NBC, you’re set.

Prefer to watch on a screen that isn’t glued to a TV? NBC’s own streaming service, Peacock, will carry the game live. A free trial gets you in for the first few weeks, but a paid subscription guarantees you’ll see the whole season without interruption.

For those wondering who’s behind the mic, it’s a familiar duo. Mike Tirico will handle the play‑by‑play duties, while Cris Collinsworth returns as the analyst. Their chemistry usually makes the broadcast feel like a friendly chat over a coffee table, even when the action is frantic.

A quick glance at the rest of the Sunday Night Football slate shows a packed schedule: Dallas at New York Giants (Sept. 13), Indianapolis at Kansas City (Sept. 20), Los Angeles Rams at Denver (Sept. 27), and so on, all on NBC and streaming on Peacock. If you’re building a viewing calendar, the network’s website has the full list.

Both teams came into this season with lofty expectations. The Patriots finished 14‑3 last year but fell to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, while Seattle also posted a 14‑3 record on their way to that same title. Expect fireworks, a few lingering questions from last season, and a lot of bragging rights on the line.

Bottom line: Tune in at 5:20 p.m. MST on NBC, or fire up Peacock if you’re cutting the cord. Grab your snacks, settle into a comfy spot, and enjoy what should be an electrifying start to the 2026 NFL campaign.