Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, center, is sacked by New England Patriots linebacker Dre'mont Jones, left, as Seattle Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole is at right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
SEATTLE (AP) — The NFL season opens with the Seattle Seahawks launching their title defense against the New England Patriots in a rare rematch of the previous season’s Super Bowl.
New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon (82) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) hauls in a one-handed catch as New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) looks on during the second half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)New England Patriots linebacker Gabe Jacas (50) celebrates sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock with New England Patriots linebacker Dre’mont Jones (5) during the first half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)Seattle Seahawks fans reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) is tackled by New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane (14) as New England Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss (53) leaps to the play during the second half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, (14) is sacked by New England Patriots linebacker Dre’mont Jones, behind, during the first half an NFL football game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (1) is tended to on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock, left, throws a pass under pressure as New England Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder, center, reaches during the first half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)Seattle Seahawks safety Rodney Thomas II (24) goes up for a pass intended for New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28), right, looks for and will intercept the ball during the second half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe, top right, celebrates after intercepting a pass in the end zoe with teammates including safety Julian Love, bottom right, during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) intercepts a pass intended for New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas (3) as New England Patriots safety Dell Pettus (24) looks on during the second half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)A Seattle Seahawks fan cheers during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) during the second half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe, front, causes pass interference against New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown, behind, during the first half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe, right, smiles as he intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins, left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20), celebrates with linebackers Drake Thomas (32) and Ernest Jones IV (13) after tackling New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson as New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon (82) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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FILE - This photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice shows a vial of pentobarbital used in the executions of two inmates in July 2020, according to court filings. The photo was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington on Aug. 13, 2020, as part of litigation over the use of pentobarbital in executions. (Department of Justice via AP, File)
