It’s the start of a new era for both of these teams. Russell Wilson is out of Denver and in steps rookie number 12 overall pick in the NFL Draft Bo Nix. Nix won the job in the preseason over Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. For Seattle, Pete Carroll is out after 14 seasons as the head coach. Mike Macdonald who was the defensive coordinator in Baltimore for two seasons, takes over the job at 37 years old. Let’s take a look at the Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks predictions and preview.
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks Predictions and Preview
Broncos (+6) at Seahawks (-6) Game Preview
Sean Payton has ultimate confidence in his young rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Nix is being thrown into one of the toughest environments in the NFL for his first career start. He’ll have to face the 12th man in Seattle, a true test early on, but shows just how much Payton believes in Nix.
There’s no shortage of questions around Nix’s offensive weapons, Jerry Juedy was traded to Cleveland leaving Courtland Sutton as the locked-in number one receiver. After that, it’ll be up to Josh Reynolds and Marvin Mims along with rookies Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele to fill the rest of the room. There’s also been a lot of question marks around Javonte Williams and the Broncos backfield going into the season.
On the other side of things, Geno Smith remains the starter for the Seahawks and his weapons aren’t in question. DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxson Smith Njigba are all back to catch passes. Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet round out a stout backfield for Seattle. Ryan Grubb comes over from the University of Washington to call plays for the team.
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks Best Bets
Denver Broncos (+6)
There are a lot of unknowns for the Broncos coming into this game, but one thing we do know is Sean Payton is a good coach. If Payton believes that Nix is the guy, there’s little reason to doubt that. Going up against a rookie head coach in his first game certainly gives Payton the advantage. On top of that, don’t trust Geno Smith as a six-point favorite? Sure, the Seahawks have the advantage at home but the number is too big to lay with Seattle.
Javonte Williams 50+ Rushing Yards (-115)
While there’s been a lot of questions around the running back room for the Broncos over the offseason. Javonte Williams is a talented running back and should be the leader of this backfield. Sean Payton will likely look to Williams early and often to take the pressure off of a rookie quarterback in Nix.
The team moved on from Samaje Perine and Williams will split time with Jaleel McLaughlin, but now two years removed from his major knee injury, we may not have seen the best of Williams yet. Williams eclipsed the 50-yard rushing mark in seven games in 2023 but went over 40 yards on the ground in 11 of his 16 games.
