Sep 9, 2026 · 2h 54m
Seahawks face an early test defending their NFL title
PMS 2.0 1620 - THE NFL IS BACK, Patriots vs. Seahawks Preview & Picks, JJ Watt, Drew Rosenhaus, Richard Sherman, Mike Tirico, Darius Butler, & AJ Hawk
The Patriots-Seahawks opener becomes a test of whether Seattle’s championship identity and new offensive direction can withstand immediate scrutiny.
- 1Seattle’s title defense hinges on defensive depth, roster continuity, and Sam Darnold’s confidence under a new offensive coordinator.
- 2J.J. Watt, Richard Sherman, and Mike Tirico frame opening week through preparation, travel, protection, and the pressure of expectations.
- 3The episode widens its lens to Baker Mayfield’s contract, Tyreek Hill’s recovery, college eligibility disputes, and the season’s crowded storylines.
Don't miss
Richard Sherman makes the case for Seattle’s defensive depth and explains why confidence, culture, and pressure will shape its title defense.
The brief
Football returns with the Patriots-Seahawks opener, but the central question is larger than one game: can Seattle defend its title while adapting its roster and offense?
J.J. Watt weighs opening-night nerves, continuity, offensive-line technique, travel, recovery, and whether Sam Darnold can turn confidence into functional quarterback play.
Richard Sherman examines Seattle’s defensive depth, Mike McDonald’s scheme, the burden of Hard Knocks, and the motivation created by widespread Rams hype.
Mike Tirico adds the broadcast and matchup view, recalling the Fail Mary while assessing protection, defensive strengths, roster changes, and contrasting quarterback confidence.
The show then broadens into football’s business and uncertainty: Baker Mayfield’s reported deal, Tyreek Hill’s rehabilitation, Daquan Wright’s eligibility dispute, and college controversies.
The standout tension is Seattle’s balancing act: preserve the blue-collar culture that produced a championship while proving its new offense can carry the next chapter.