Samwise NFL Newsletter
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Super Bowl LX Rematch Headlines 2026 NFL Season Opener
The Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots Wednesday at Lumen Field in a rematch of Super Bowl LX, marking the first Week 1 Super Bowl rematch since Denver hosted Carolina to open the 2016 season. Seattle defeated New England 29-13 on February 8, 2026. The Seahawks return a loaded roster featuring 2025 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, reigning All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and defensive tackle Leonard Williams, with quarterback Sam Darnold leading the defense of their title. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye enters his second full season seeking redemption against the defending champions. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Tua Tagovailoa Named Atlanta Falcons Week 1 Starter Over Michael Penix Jr.
The Atlanta Falcons named Tua Tagovailoa as their starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, ending a training camp competition with Michael Penix Jr. Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed the decision on Monday, September 7. Tagovailoa signed a one-year deal with Atlanta in March after the Miami Dolphins released him following six seasons in South Florida. Penix Jr. will be inactive for the opener, a significant development given that he was Atlanta’s first-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Tagovailoa won the starting role while Penix Jr. recovered from an ACL injury that cut short his 2025 campaign.
Sources: Washington Times
Bosa and McCaffrey Return to Practice in Melbourne Ahead of Historic Opener
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa and running back Christian McCaffrey both returned to full team drills at Tuesday’s practice in Melbourne, Australia, after sitting out Monday’s session with injury concerns. Bosa has been managing tendinitis in his surgically repaired right knee throughout training camp following a torn ACL suffered during the 2024 season. McCaffrey, who dealt with calf tightness earlier in camp, also participated in Tuesday’s session. Tight end George Kittle joined them on the practice field as the 49ers posted nearly full participation numbers ahead of Thursday’s season opener against the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area
Micah Parsons Sets Week 6 Cowboys Game as Most Optimistic Return Date
Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons told NFL Network that Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys on October 18 is his most optimistic return target as he recovers from a torn ACL. Parsons, who was traded from Dallas to Green Bay in the offseason in a deal that sent two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark to the Cowboys, was placed on the Packers’ physically unable to perform list before the start of the 2026 season. Parsons described his rehabilitation as progressing well, saying he is running and beginning change-of-direction drills, but emphasized that Week 6 represents a best-case scenario rather than a guarantee.
Raiders Optimistic Ashton Jeanty Will Play Week 1 Despite Ankle Sprain
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak expressed confidence Monday that running back Ashton Jeanty will be available for the team’s Week 1 opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 13 despite suffering a lateral ankle sprain during a late-August practice. Jeanty sustained what was characterized as a low-grade sprain rather than a more serious high ankle sprain. He was seen working with Raiders trainers this week for the first time since the injury occurred, a positive sign in his recovery. The Raiders open their 2026 regular season at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on September 13.
Sources: Bleacher Report
A.J. Brown Brings Star Power to New England for Patriots Debut
Wide receiver A.J. Brown makes his New England Patriots debut Wednesday night when the team travels to Seattle to face the defending champion Seahawks in the NFL season opener. Brown, a three-time All-Pro receiver, was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in a blockbuster offseason trade that sent a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to Philadelphia. Brown, 28, reunites with head coach Mike Vrabel, who originally drafted him with the Tennessee Titans in 2019. The receiver recorded 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, his final season with Philadelphia, and joins Drake Maye to give New England a potent new offensive weapon.
Sources: New England Patriots
49ers and Rams Make NFL History in League’s First Melbourne Game
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will make NFL history Thursday when they play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, the league’s first-ever regular-season game on the continent. The game is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. PT Thursday and will stream exclusively on Netflix in North America, airing live at 10:35 a.m. Friday in Melbourne. The Jonas Brothers will headline halftime entertainment at the iconic MCG. Los Angeles serves as the designated home team with San Francisco as the visiting squad. The 49ers made the journey in a 15-hour chartered flight and have spent the week acclimatizing ahead of the historic matchup against NFC West rival Los Angeles.
Seahawks Raise Super Bowl LX Banner as Patriots Seek Opening-Night Revenge
The Seattle Seahawks will raise their Super Bowl LX championship banner Wednesday night at Lumen Field before hosting the New England Patriots in the 2026 NFL Kickoff game. Seattle claimed the Lombardi Trophy on February 8, defeating New England 29-13. The ceremony adds championship gravitas to an already charged storyline as Drake Maye and the Patriots make their first trip to Seattle since the Super Bowl, determined to exact revenge. The Seahawks return the core of their title-winning roster including quarterback Sam Darnold, All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and defensive tackle Leonard Williams, while New England arrives with All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown and renewed championship ambition.
Sources: The Sports Encounter
AFC Standings
Season opens Sept. 9 — all teams 0–0
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Baltimore Ravens | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NFC Standings
Season opens Sept. 9 — all teams 0–0
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Chicago Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks * | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| * Super Bowl LX Champions | |||
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