The Seattle Seahawks kicked off the 2026 NFL season in style, securing a gritty 13-10 victory over the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch that immediately jumped onto every 12’s must-watch list. This wasn’t some under-the-radar game; it was an obvious one for obvious reasons, and our Hawks delivered, setting a tone for the Mike Macdonald era right out of the gate.
Beyond the Emerald City: Week 1’s Under-the-Radar Kickoffs
While we were all locked into that Wednesday night thriller, Week 1 is stacked with games that might fly under the radar but are packed with intrigue. You know how it is, every Sunday is a full-day football marathon, and even the games without our green and blue can bring the drama. These “less talked about” matchups can tell you a lot about how the season might shake out, especially with so many teams debuting new stars, or in some cases, entirely new leadership.
Take the Sunday matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the Las Vegas Raiders, for example, airing at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox. CBS Sports actually predicted both these teams would finish last in their divisions, but don’t sleep on them just yet. This game is pure “debut-mania,” featuring four big ones in one go. The Dolphins rolled out new head coach Jeff Hafley, previously the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator. He’s got a mountain to climb, tasked with improving a defense that struggled big time last year. They’ve had a significant offseason shake-up, losing their former head coach Mike McDaniel, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and top wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Now it’s the Malik Willis era, with the 27-year-old looking for a better fit after his time with the Tennessee Titans and Packers. You have to wonder how they’ll perform when it actually counts with so many new pieces on the field.
QB Battles and New Eras Define Early Season Stakes
The Raiders’ side of the ball is just as fascinating. They’re featuring the defending No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Who doesn’t love a good QB battle, right? Veteran Kirk Cousins, now in his 15th season, managed to beat out Mendoza for the QB1 spot. However, in a long season, especially with a 15-year vet at the helm, there’s no guarantee that position sticks all year. How Cousins sets the tone in Week 1 against what’s considered one of the Dolphins’ easier opponents could be very telling. These early games are all about establishing identity, and both the Dolphins and Raiders have a lot to prove with their fresh faces.
So, while our Seahawks are already off to a fantastic 1-0 start, making a statement in Mike Macdonald’s first season, it’s worth keeping an eye on how these other teams begin their journeys. Week 1 sets the stage, and for the Dolphins and Raiders, it’s a critical moment for their new coaches and quarterbacks to show us what they’re truly made of.
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.
Leave a Reply