
For just the second time in a decade, the two teams that faced off in the Super Bowl will open the season.
The full NFL schedule has been released, and now the Seattle Seahawks know who they will be playing and when, but one game had already been leaked.
And that was Seattle's Week 1 game.
We knew that it was going to be at Lumen Field, as the Seahawks celebrated their Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots, but we didn't know who.
Well, it was leaked that the Seahawks would be facing Mike Vrabel's team for the second time in as many games, with the NFL season opener featuring a Super Bowl rematch.
What went into the decision to make Seattle and New England first up was unknown until now.
NFL executive Hans Schroeder spoke with the Associated Press and detailed the thought process behind the Super Bowl rematch to kick off the season.
"Yes, it was definitely a key data point for us," NFL executive Hans Schroeder told the Associated Press via ESPN. "We saw what a big draw that was and so we just thought it was really fun. I think it's been a decade since we did Denver and Carolina in Super Bowl 50 and came back in Week 1 the next year.
"We thought it was a fun way to start the season again with New England in Seattle, coming off that Super Bowl, certainly a ton to play for. Let our fans see if they play again."
It is certainly one way to start the season with a bang, and there will be plenty of eyeballs on this one, and a lot of storylines to follow.
The Seahawks will want to lay down an early-season marker to show the Patriots that they still own them.
New England will want revenge for the Super Bowl loss, plus both teams will want to get the psychological edge over their opponent.
In truth, you probably couldn't have a better season opener than the two Super Bowl participants, as division games are often better left for later in the year.
So, the Seahawks will be at home, against the team they obliterated in the Super Bowl, to kick off their title defense.
Is it Week 1 yet?


