The New England Patriots open the 2026 season in Seattle on Wednesday night with Seahawks Vs Patriots carrying an immediate edge of expectation. Last February's Super Bowl LX meeting still hangs over this rematch, and Mike Vrabel has made it clear that one of the biggest early tests will be whether Rhamondre Stevenson can help keep Drake Maye upright.
This is not just a repeat fixture. Both rosters look different from the teams that met in Super Bowl LX, but the central question remains the same for New England: can they show that they have taken the next step after falling short on the biggest stage? Seattle are expected to lean on their rushing attack again, while the Patriots know they must do a much better job in the trenches than they did last time out.
Vrabel: Stevenson’s protection is critical
Vrabel was direct when asked about Stevenson’s value to the offense. "I think that we have talked about his protection in the past, and that’ll be critical, I am sure, Wednesday night, as it will be every night," he said.
That is the key point for New England. Stevenson is important not only because he can catch the football and create plays after the catch, but because he gives the Patriots something reliable in pass protection. Vrabel added: "I think that is probably one of the things I appreciate the most about him. Certainly, I love the ability to catch the football and run with it and create X plays, but also, I think that the protection for me is what stands out."
Why the ground game matters again
The Patriots’ problems against Seattle last February were not limited to one area, but their ground game was badly short of the standard needed in a Super Bowl. They managed only 13 rushing attempts for 42 yards, and the wider picture showed how much work remained for the offence.
That is why Wednesday night matters so much. If New England are going to open the season with a statement, they need better offensive line play and a cleaner platform for Drake Maye. Without that, Seattle’s pass rush can quickly turn the night into another difficult one for the Patriots.
Seattle’s rush can set the tone
Seattle also have reasons to believe they can make this a demanding opening-night test. Their pass rush produced one sack, seven pressures and an over 40% pressure rate in the Super Bowl, while the Seahawks’ defence later showed it can also be disruptive in other ways, finishing with five sacks in a separate outing that featured 135 yards and 27 carries from the opposing ground game.
For the Patriots, that means the margin for error is slim. Mike Macdonald's side will expect to challenge the protection early, and if New England cannot keep the pocket stable, the rest of their offensive plans become harder to trust.
So this opening game is more than just a rematch. It is an early measurement of whether the Patriots have the balance, toughness and protection to compete with a Seattle team that will back itself at home. If New England get this right, it says something about their progress. If they do not, the questions from last February will not go away.
