The Seattle Seahawks kick off their common season with a house contest towards the Denver Broncos at Lumen Subject in Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 8. It is going to be the second time in three seasons the Seahawks will host their former AFC West rivals to start the marketing campaign.
Seattle has gained three of the previous 5 video games towards Denver and gained the season opener between the 2 groups in 2022 by a rating of 17-16 — additionally Russell Wilson’s first sport towards the Seahawks after being traded there following the 2021 season. This time, nevertheless, it’s Seattle that has had the largest inside shake-up, as Mike Macdonald will make his head teaching debut.
That change brings a brand new offense led by Ryan Grubb and a defensive scheme drawn up by Macdonald. Defensive coordinator Aden Durde will do his finest to make sure the unit performs at a excessive degree alongside his head coach.
The Seahawks misplaced their season opener at residence towards the Los Angeles Rams final season. Can they get again within the win column to start the 2024 season? What are some storylines to be careful for towards the Broncos? Our writing workers has a couple of predictions and gamers to observe for in Seattle’s season opener, which kicks off at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday.
There is no such factor as a lure sport in Week 1, as season openers are typically fairly unpredictable with groups not having close to as a lot intel on their opponent popping out of the preseason. On paper, the Seahawks ought to have a number of benefits, beginning with a savvy veteran quarterback in Geno Smith and a trio of excellent receivers going towards a Broncos secondary with a first-time starter at cornerback in Riley Moss, a first-time starter at security in P.J. Locke, and veteran security Brandon Jones getting into Week 1 attempting to switch perennial All-Professional Justin Simmons.
However for Smith to have the ability to make the most of the novelty in Denver’s secondary away from star Pat Surtain II and persistently get the ball to DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle must maintain him clear within the pocket, which can be simpler mentioned than executed. The Broncos will likely be coming to city with a flexible defensive position headlined by Zach Allen, Baron Browning, Jonathan Cooper, and Nik Bonitto amongst others, presenting the flexibility to ship rushers in waves at tackles Charles Cross and George Fant and create potential issues for Ryan Grubb’s offense out of the gate. Operating the ball successfully and mixing in a couple of screens will likely be crucial to success on Sunday.
Defensively, the Seahawks will likely be seeking to maintain rookie Bo Nix on his toes by mixing up appears and mucking up his protection reads, and the presence of Devon Witherspoon and Julian Love on the again finish ought to assist that mission with their positional flexibility and excessive soccer IQ. The important thing will likely be making the Broncos one-dimensional, nevertheless, because the guests have a top quality offensive line for Javonte Williams and firm to run behind and in the event that they get their run sport rolling, the possibilities of spoiling Macdonald’s debut will go up considerably.
With one group breaking in a brand new quarterback and the opposite a brand new coach, this contest has all of the elements for a typical Week 1 barnburner and Seattle can not overlook an underrated opponent. In a back-and-forth affair, the distinction finally will likely be below middle, as Nix has a brilliant future however is not drawing an excellent first opponent to start his profession towards. The Seahawks ought to be capable to drum up some strain on him for a pair sacks and coax an interception, whereas Smith will throw a pair of touchdowns to Metcalf and Smith-Njigba to assist his group squeak by for a good win and open the Macdonald period 1-0. -Corbin Smith
Corbin’s Decide to Click on: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
All eyes will likely be on Metcalf towards Surtain, however whereas these two juggernauts spar on the skin, Smith-Njigba would be the major beneficiary of Denver’s in any other case inexperienced secondary. Whether or not lined up exterior or within the slot, his quickness and alter of route abilities ought to create some points for Moss, who’s extra quick than fast, whereas he has a big dimension benefit over slot cornerback JaQuan McMillian. Contemplating Smith has been concentrating on Smith-Njigba at a excessive charge because the begin of OTAs and the 2 have constructed a robust rapport, search for the second-year wideout to maintain the hype prepare rolling with 10 catches for 102 yards and a rating towards the Broncos.
Corbin’s Rating Prediction: Seahawks 24, Broncos 20
Denver is without doubt one of the healthiest groups within the NFL proper now because the season will get going. The Broncos had zero gamers listed on their Friday harm report, which implies they are going to be full go on Sunday. Seattle, however, will likely be with out star edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and Pharaoh Brown (foot) to start the marketing campaign. Neither of these are surprises for Seattle, nevertheless.
Seahawks vast receiver DK Metcalf versus Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II is essentially the most star-studded matchup on this sport. Even when Metcalf can’t shake freed from Surtain, Seattle has a plethora of weapons who can exploit Denver’s secondary. Cornerback Riley Moss and safeties P.J. Locke and Brandon Jones have a mixed 38 begins of their careers, with the latter accounting for 30 of these over 4 seasons. This isn’t a really skilled backend for the Broncos exterior of Surtain, who has 49 profession begins. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett and Noah Fant rejoice.
However Seattle wants to guard Geno Smith in the event that they hope to see their offense excel. Cross rushers Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper mixed for 21.5 sacks final season, and they are going to be a stout first check for the Seahawks offensive line. Seattle will put up sufficient factors to win, however its protection would be the actual catalyst — shutting down rookie quarterback Bo Nix in his first NFL begin. Nix regarded good in preseason, however enjoying a protection like Macdonald’s in your inaugural contest isn’t the easiest way to get began. Nix throws two interceptions and is sacked 3 times by Seattle’s cross rush. The Seahawks maintain the Denver offense to below 300 yards of whole offense. – Connor Benintendi
Connor’s Decide to Click on: CB Riq Woolen
The Riq Woolen revenge marketing campaign begins now. Woolen was much-maligned final season whereas working via accidents and struggling in run protection. He makes an announcement on this sport, shutting down Broncos vast receiver Courtland Sutton and holding him to only two catches. Macdonald has said Woolen will likely be touring within the new defensive scheme, so anticipate him to be matched with Sutton frequently on Sunday.
Connor’s Rating Prediction: Seahawks 27, Broncos 14