The Seattle Seahawks have been in a strange sort of purgatory since their Super Bowl heartbreaker, posting 10 or more wins five times in nine years but never posing a threat to do much of anything but remain serviceable in an underwhelming division. They’re comfortable favorites to open the season against the Denver Broncos, but even with new coach Mike Macdonald, it’s a familiar feeling in Seattle.
Geno Smith is back with a restructured contract, and his return to NFL prominence has been an uplifting comeback tale. But his resurgence has yielded back-to-back 9-8 seasons and middling team offensive rankings, despite the presence of talented wideouts Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf and a great young runner in Kenneth Walker III. Lockett was listed as questionable in Thursday’s injury report but participated in practice on Friday and is expected to play.
Their defense was brutal in 2023, but an infusion of young talent and Macdonald arriving, having just guided Baltimore’s defense to the top of the league, offers optimism in the long term. In the short term, the Hawks look to be in for another so-so season. And in the even shorter term, they’ll have to contend with a Sean Payton-led Bronco team riding positive vibes thanks to flashes of success last season and a rookie QB.
For all its failings, the Russell Wilson Gambit gave Denver one thing to smile about: a high enough draft pick to nab someone they believe is their passer of the future in Bo Nix. Nix’s numbers exploded after transferring to Oregon, and he arrives having thrown for 4,500 yards, 45 touchdowns, and three (!) interceptions last season. Preseason oohs and aahs from pundits, players, and just about everyone within eyesight of Nix did nothing to quell the hype, and Payton named him the starter without controversy.
Nix isn’t a deep ball thrower, ranking highest among power conference quarterbacks when it came to passes of zero or fewer air yards last year, but his top wideouts are Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds, so it’s not like he has a stable of elite speedsters he has to target deep. He’s touted for his quick release and ball security, and Payton’s play-action-heavy preseason offense seems to indicate he is leaning into Nix’s strengths.
Other than at quarterback, the Broncos are largely unchanged, thanks to being handcuffed by Wilson’s massive dead-money cap hit. Facing the steady, if underwhelming, Seahawks, Denver is banking that Nix’s jolt will bring just enough new energy to nab an early upset.
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Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks odds
How to watch Broncos vs. Seahawks
- Venue: Lumen Field — Seattle
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Watch live on Fubo (Save $30)
Expert picks for Broncos vs. Seahawks
Read more about NFL Week 1
NFL Week 1 odds, expert picks and previews for all 16 games
Week 1 score predictions: Model projections for spread and total on every game
NFL best bets Week 1: Trusting in Josh Allen and fading the Bo Nix hype for now
(Photo of Bo Nix: Tyler Schank / Getty Images)
