The 2026 NFL season kicks off on Wednesday with a Super Bowl rematch featuring the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, according to ESPN. The following day, the league will hold its first-ever regular-season game in Australia, where the Super Bowl-favorite Los Angeles Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers at 8:35 p.m. ET on Netflix.

Season Preview and Predictions

ESPN provides a wide-ranging preview of all 32 teams, with analysts identifying strengths and concerns for each roster; the Football Power Index (FPI) offers predictions for playoff chances, division titles, and win totals. The Seahawks have an 84.9% chance of making the playoffs, a 50.4% chance of winning their division, and are projected to win 11.3 games, according to ESPN Research.

The Seahawks’ biggest strength is their passing game, highlighted by the reigning MVP quarterback; their schedule is ranked third in difficulty, following an 12-5 record in 2025. Analysts also provided bold predictions and fantasy insights for all teams, while data-driven models simulated best- and worst-case scenarios across thousands of outcomes.

International Fan Reactions and Scheduling Challenges

The Super Bowl has become a global event, with fans in countries like Italy facing scheduling conflicts with the Winter Olympics, the game kicks off at 12:30 a.m. local time in Italy, causing difficulties for athletes and fans trying to balance both events. According to 연합뉴스, several U.S. Olympic athletes are from the states of New England and Seattle, and some plan to watch the game in shifts, wear team jerseys to bed, or wake up early to catch the second half.

One U.S. bobsledder, Jack DiGregorio, whose mother worked for the Patriots for over 20 years, expressed his commitment to watching the game, even if it means sneaking in a quick peek during the night. Others, like curling coach Korey Dropkin, said they would wear team gear to bed in support — this marks the second time in history that the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics have overlapped, after the 2022 Beijing Games, according to 연합뉴스.

Australia Game Logistics and Schedule Disputes

The 49ers’ season opener in Melbourne against the Rams has drawn attention due to logistical challenges. Coach Kyle Shanahan requested a Monday night game in Week 2 for added rest but was denied by the NFL, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. The 49ers will return from Australia on Friday and won’t practice until Wednesday, giving them five days of rest before their next game — Shanahan said the team is still adjusting to the time zone, and the extra time will help players recover.

The Rams, meanwhile, were granted the Monday night game in Week 2 against the New York Giants. The 49ers will host the Miami Dolphins at home on Sunday after returning from Australia, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. The NFL’s decision to schedule games in Australia marks a bold new step in international expansion, though it has also created scheduling tensions for teams and players.