The NFL season officially kicks off tonight. Here are 5 things to watch in the first week of games
The NFL Season Officially Kicks Off: Week 1 Watch List
Earthguardiansonline.com – The NFL season officially kicks off tonight with immediate pressure on leading contenders, new-look rosters and a Super Bowl rematch. Week 1 offers an early look at whether the Los Angeles Rams can meet enormous expectations, how the San Francisco 49ers handle a turbulent offseason, and whether the Seattle Seahawks can defend their title.
1. The Rams’ rebuilt defense faces an early test
Los Angeles enters the season as the Super Bowl favorite at +500 after a major offseason of defensive additions. The Rams acquired Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns and Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs, giving up multiple draft selections in both trades.
Aaron Donald also returned after being away from the game since the 2023 season. The 35-year-old, three-time Defensive Player of the Year joins Garrett, the reigning winner of the award, on a unit built to make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
2. Matthew Stafford must sustain his MVP form
For all of the attention on the Rams’ defense, Matthew Stafford remains central to the team’s hopes. Following an MVP season, the 38-year-old quarterback will be expected to prove that his previous campaign was not a one-time performance.
The Rams also carry the weight of playing in a season whose Super Bowl will be held in Los Angeles, the first time the city has hosted the game since the franchise won the championship in 2022. Their favored status is significant: teams with similarly strong preseason expectations have gone 0-20 over the past 30 years.
3. San Francisco begins after an eventful summer
The NFL season officially kicks into action for San Francisco against a backdrop of major offseason turmoil. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was seriously injured in a July car accident, suffering a severe concussion, broken ribs, a broken hand, a broken nose and a cut near his eye that required more than 40 stitches.
The 49ers still have plenty of talent on the field. Quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey return, while Mike Evans joins the receiving group. In a demanding NFC West, every early division result could matter.
4. Seattle’s title defense starts with a familiar opponent
The defending champion Seahawks open at home against the New England Patriots in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl. Seattle overwhelmed its playoff opponents and beat New England decisively in the championship game, yet begins 2026 behind both Los Angeles and Buffalo in the Super Bowl odds.
Seattle returns most of its championship roster, although Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker left for Kansas City in the offseason. Head coach Mike Macdonald’s team has also shown it can win away from home, compiling a 15-2 road record across his first two seasons.
5. The opening games set the tone
The Rams face the 49ers in Australia on Thursday in a game available on Netflix, while Seattle hosts New England one night earlier. These matchups put divisional rivals, defending champions and championship hopefuls under scrutiny from the first week.
The NFL season officially kicks off with no shortage of questions. Can the Rams convert their talent into another title run? Can San Francisco put its difficult summer behind it? And can Seattle show that its championship season was the beginning of a longer run?
FAQ: NFL Week 1
Which teams play in the featured opening matchups?
The Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl, while the Los Angeles Rams play the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.
Why are the Rams attracting so much attention?
Los Angeles is the Super Bowl favorite and added Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie and returning veteran Aaron Donald to an already ambitious roster.
What should fans watch most closely in Week 1?
Watch how quickly the Rams’ new defense comes together, whether Stafford maintains his MVP-level play, and how Seattle and San Francisco respond to high expectations in the NFC West.
