Mike Macdonald didn’t miss a beat against the Patriots, kicking off this NFL season just like he finished the last: with a statement win over New England. Our Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks didn’t just win the 2026 NFL opener; they roared, reminding everyone across the league they’re still the team to beat.
Champions Set the Tone for the NFL Season
Macdonald’s mastery is undeniable, folks. Finishing last season as champs, then rolling out Week 1 with a W over the Pats? That’s what you call a dominant start. The Emerald City is buzzing because our Seahawks proved right out of the gate that the path to a Super Bowl still runs through Lumen Field. It was a strong, clear message sent across the league: the champs are here, and they’re not going anywhere. This team came out swinging, showing everyone why they wear those Super Bowl rings.
NFL Week 1 Chaos and Jalen Hurts’ Redemption Arc
But let’s be real, the Seahawks weren’t the *only* team to make noise in Week 1. The 49ers went full beast mode, manhandling the Rams in Australia. The Bears swallowed the Panthers whole. And the Vikings? They pulled off some wild magic, erasing a 12-point third-quarter deficit to take down the Packers, even after losing new quarterback Kyler Murray after only 10 snaps. Absolutely wild stuff!
Now, let’s talk about Jalen Hurts. He’s been the talk of the town, not always for the right reasons. He even chatted with Tom Brady about playing quarterback, about making the position “easy” or at least not harder than it needs to be. Hurts told reporters it’s all about “making sure you’re in the right play,” protecting ourselves in protection, aligning everyone, doing “those little things first.” He called it “more of an operation” and “being able to set the table and manage the things that you’re tasked with managing as a quarterback.” It’s an interesting take, especially since for the past year, it hasn’t looked “easy” for Hurts. Critics, including some who admired his unorthodox playing style, even wondered if the Eagles might part ways if this season got ugly. After all, his past success often gets credited to guys like Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Coach Nick Sirianni, not always Hurts himself.
But on Sunday, he got back on track. It wasn’t always perfect or fun to watch, but a win is a win! Hurts delivered a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown to fend off a Commanders comeback in their 24-22 victory. He even had a clock-eating drive late in the game, ripping a 22-yard carry and a 43-yard touchdown pass to Dall. He finished with 203 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and 46 rushing yards. Not “easy,” maybe, but oh so effective!
What Happens Next?
This is just the beginning, folks. Week 1 gave us some incredible football, but for us in Seattle, it’s all about our Super Bowl Champion Seahawks sending that undeniable message. They’ve kicked off the season with a statement. Every team in the league is watching. What happens next week? Our boys in green and blue need to keep that intensity up. The season is long, but the tone has been set. Let’s 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 Fox Sports.
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