Our picks and predictions for the 2026 NFL season
Joe Rivera, Chris Bumbaca and Adam Kaufman break down their predictions for the 2026 NFL season on the latest episode of the Sports Seriously NFL Vodcast.
Editor’s note: Keep up with the Patriots-Seahawks NFL season opener with our live blog, here.
The Seattle Seahawks will be without one of the key components of their defense in the team’s season-opening Super Bowl 60 rematch.
Defensive back Nick Emmanwori is inactive for the matchup against the New England Patriots.
Emmanwori had been listed as questionable after being a limited participant in the practices leading up to the tilt.
The second-year nickel had been a vital presence for Mike Macdonald’s defense. A finalist for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Emmanwori helped allow the Seahawks to play in light boxes yet allow a league-low 3.7 yards per carry.
His absence creates an added level of uncertainty for a Seahawks secondary that was already without safety Ty Okada, who was previously ruled out of the matchup with a hamstring injury. Seattle also lost safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Riq Woolen in free agency.
The Patriots, meanwhile, are expected to have a significantly more imposing receiving corps after adding A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs as NFL MVP runner-up Drake Maye’s top targets.