That Super Bowl rematch is officially on! Our Hawks are kicking off the 2026 season against the Patriots on Wednesday night, and already, one player’s early-season prop line has everyone in the Emerald City buzzing. After managing just 27 receiving yards in Super Bowl 60, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is staring down a massive 81.5 receiving yards over/under for this 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. This isn’t just any game, folks, it is a rematch of the Super Bowl, and with our Hawks favored by 3 points and the over/under sitting at 44.5, you know the stakes are already through the roof for Sam Darnold and the boys.
JSN’s Yardage Line Has Everyone Talking
Seriously, 81.5 yards? Think about it. Smith-Njigba had a quiet night in Super Bowl 60, only pulling in 27 receiving yards. Now, the AI model is setting his line at more than triple that for the first game of the season. What does SportsLine’s AI know that we don’t? This is a huge jump, and it tells you everything about the confidence in Sam Darnold and JSN to come out firing. Also on the Patriots’ side, we have A.J. Brown making his team debut, with a receiving yardage O/U of 64.5. It is one of the most intriguing props for this Patriots vs. Seahawks matchup, and you know our defense will be ready.
Our Defense’s Game Plan Is Already Clear
Speaking of defense, it sounds like our squad is going to deploy a similar strategy to what we saw in Super Bowl 60. Back then, our focus was squarely on stopping their then-No. 1 wideout, Stefon Diggs. He was held to just three catches on three targets. That hard-nosed approach on Diggs allowed complementary receivers like DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins to get seven-plus targets and at least four catches each. Fast forward to this Wednesday, and the expectation is we will run a similar game plan on their new No. 1 wideout, A.J. Brown. SportsLine’s AI predicts this strategy will let secondary options shine, specifically pegging Romeo Doubs to go Over 3.5 receptions at +116 odds, calling it a 4-star prop. Doubs, a new Patriot, had eight grabs for 124 yards in last year’s Wild Card Round as a Packer, hitting his second-highest career marks. He has also logged at least four receptions in three of his four Week 1 contests. Our defense is going to lock down the primary threat, and it could open up some opportunities elsewhere, just like last time.
This Wednesday, 8:20 p.m. ET, our Seahawks are on the biggest stage right out of the gate. This is a Super Bowl rematch, and the whole league is watching. It is time to see if Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba can deliver on those big expectations and kick off the season with a bang. Let us go, Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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