Samwise NFL Newsletter
Friday, September 11, 2026
Seahawks Beat Patriots 13-10 in NFL Kickoff Game
The Seattle Seahawks opened their Super Bowl title defense with a tense 13-10 victory over the New England Patriots in the 2026 NFL Kickoff Game on Wednesday at Lumen Field. The rematch of Super Bowl LX was tight throughout, with New England leading 7-0 at halftime. Jason Myers kicked a 26-yard field goal to put Seattle ahead 13-10 with 5:53 remaining. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had a chance to force overtime but threw an interception near the end zone to seal the Seattle win. Maye finished 22-of-33 for 178 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.
Sources: NBC Sports
49ers Rout Rams 27-7 in NFL's First Australia Game
The San Francisco 49ers dominated the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 on Thursday in Melbourne, Australia, in the first NFL regular-season game ever played on Australian soil. Brock Purdy completed 25 of 34 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns, posting a 105.6 passer rating before 100,021 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground — the seventh-largest regular-season crowd in NFL history. Christian McCaffrey contributed 88 total yards as San Francisco rushed for 174 yards. Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and Demarcus Robinson each caught touchdown passes from Purdy as the 49ers routed their NFC West rivals in dominant fashion.
Sources: AP via Local10
Sam Darnold Expected to Miss Week 2 After Hip Injury in Season Opener
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is expected to miss at least Week 2 after suffering a hip injury on a sack during Wednesday’s season-opening win over the New England Patriots. Darnold exited after just five plays with what the team initially feared was a serious injury, but the club received encouraging news after initial testing showed no fracture. NFL Network reported the Seahawks believe Darnold avoided a worst-case scenario, though he remains out for the team’s next game against the Arizona Cardinals. Backup Geno Smith completed 16-of-22 passes for 187 yards with one touchdown in relief to secure the victory.
A.J. Brown Suffers High Ankle Sprain in Patriots Debut, Timeline Uncertain
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown suffered a high ankle sprain during his debut with the team Wednesday night, exiting the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter. Seattle cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett knocked down a pass attempt and landed on Brown’s right ankle. X-rays came back negative and an MRI was scheduled for Thursday, according to NFL Media reports. Brown was spotted leaving Lumen Field wearing a walking boot after New England’s 13-10 loss. The Patriots acquired Brown in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in June, sending a first-round pick in exchange.
Sources: Boston Globe
Patrick Mahomes Set to Return from ACL Tear for Chiefs' Week 1 Matchup vs. Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is expected to start Monday Night Football against the Denver Broncos on September 14, marking his return from a torn ACL suffered in December 2025. Mahomes was injured in a game against the Los Angeles Chargers and underwent surgery shortly after. The Chiefs lost their final six games without him, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Mahomes was a full participant throughout training camp and has cleared all medical checks, with head coach Andy Reid expressing confidence in his availability. The Chiefs open the 2026 season at Arrowhead Stadium against division rival Denver.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Packers' Josh Jacobs Pleads No Contest to Misdemeanor Charges, NFL Suspension Looming
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property in a Wisconsin courtroom on Thursday. Jacobs had the court date moved forward from November at his own request. Under the agreement, Jacobs cannot commit further criminal acts, must have no contact with the victim, must complete supervision and counseling, and must pay restitution to the victim, as well as a $1,000 fine on the battery charge. Jacobs had been placed on the NFL Commissioner Exempt list the previous month. The plea opens the door for the league to impose a suspension.
Sources: CBS Sports
Cowboys Place Pro Bowl G Tyler Smith on IR with Thumb Injury
The Dallas Cowboys placed three-time Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith on injured reserve after Smith underwent thumb surgery, sidelining him for a minimum of four games. Smith is expected to miss four to six weeks. The Cowboys signed guard Nick Leverett from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster to fill the void, and also added veteran guard Laken Tomlinson to their practice squad. T.J. Bass is expected to assume starting duties at left guard in Smith’s absence. Dallas opens their 2026 season Sunday against the New York Giants in a key NFC East divisional matchup.
Sources: Bleacher Report
Drake Maye Throws Three Interceptions in Patriots' Season-Opening Loss
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye struggled in the 2026 season opener, throwing three interceptions in a 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday night. Maye, who was the MVP runner-up in his second NFL season in 2025, finished 22-of-33 for 178 yards with one touchdown and three costly picks. His final interception came near the Seattle end zone with 26 seconds remaining, ending New England’s last chance to force overtime. The Patriots now face added uncertainty with new acquisition A.J. Brown sidelined with a high ankle sprain, heading into their home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 20.
Sources: Men’s Journal
AFC Standings — Week 1
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 0 | 1 | 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 — Week 1
| 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 | |||
| San Francisco 49ers | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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