by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Sep 12, 2022
Game time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Where to watch: ESPN/ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Broncos -6.5; total 44.5
FanDuel: Broncos -6.5; total 44.5
BetMGM: Broncos -6.5; total 44
Caesars: Broncos -6.5; total 44.5
2021 season record
Broncos: 7-10
Seahawks: 7-10
A new NFL season is here and what a start we're off to with Buffalo going to the champs' house and knocking them in the mouth. What can we expect when the full slate of games gets rolling on Sunday? Only one way to find out: Get to bigal.com and check out what our champion handicappers are thinking heading into these matchups, and also get the right amount in your pocket for your winnings.
Broncos - Seahawks preview, analysis and prediction
Did you ever think the words "Russell Wilson" and "revenge game" would be involved in the same sentence? Did you ever sit back and think about the future of the NFL landscape and think the Seattle Seahawks would trade Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos?
What kind of shenanigans are we about to see on Monday Night Football? Because not only are we about to sit through the debut of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on ESPN, which still seems pretty wild to think about, but Wilson will make his return to Seattle and get it out of the way on the marquee matchup on ESPN on Monday night.
Try and think of the last time the Broncos had this much hype going into a season. You'd probably have to think back to Peyton Manning, right? I mean, the last time they traded for a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, they ended up going to two of them and winning one (against Wilson, no less).
Wilson spent the first 10 years of his NFL career with the Seahawks and leading them to their first championship in franchise history, as well as another appearance. Now that he's out of Seattle, we wouldn't blame Wilson for slandering Pete Carroll for not giving the ball to Marshawn Lynch on the goal line.
But this is the kind of quarterback the Broncos have inherited: He was the Seahawks' all-time leader in completions, passing yards and touchdown passes. He's eight away from 300 in his career. Wilson has also shined the brightest on Monday Night Football with 25 total touchdowns and five interceptions in 13 starts.
This one, of course, he's had circled on his calendar for a long time and he'll likely think of it as just another game. But the Broncos are absolutely about to show the Seahawks what happens when you put a competent team of stars around him.
“I was fortunate to play there for 10 years. I know they’ll be rowdy. I know they will be excited. I know that. It’s ‘Monday Night Football,’ so it’ll be a special environment,” Wilson said. “And listen, I think that I gave my heart and soul every day. I know nothing less. And hopefully it’ll be positive, but at the same time I know we’ve got a game to play.”
He's a man that has always been one to accept the moment, one to be humble for any challenge his way. But the fact that Wilson actually accepts what he had in Seattle is something to behold. Wilson inherits a team that has been an offense away from getting back to playoff contention, and he might be the missing puzzle piece to make that leap in a crowded AFC West.
Wilson inherits an offense with Courtland Sutton as a true No. 1 and will also have the returning Jerry Jeudy after he missed most of last season due to injury. It's a solid running attack with Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, but that offensive line will be able to carry both of those aspects of the game.
The Broncos have gone all-in with their additions, signing former Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Randy Gregory to a long-term deal. Gregory and Bradley Chubb will create a formidable pass rush duo. If those two get to the quarterback well, it'll be an easy day for the star-studded secondary of Justin Simmons and rising corner Pat Surtain II.
Denver is going against Geno Smith, not former quarterback Drew Lock, in this matchup, and given how Wilson had to run for his life with that offensive line, I don't envy Smith's future on Monday night.
“You’re either competing or you’re not. I’m leaving it up to the 12s,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll. “It’s game time and we’re going for it, so however they take it, I’ll follow their lead on that. I’m not going to be involved with that kind of opportunity to react, so I don’t have to make that decision. We’ll see what happens. But I’m going to leave it up to the 12s. I think they’ll know exactly what to do.”
“I think that Seattle should cheer him on for everything that he’s done, helped bring a Super Bowl to this community, all that different type of stuff. He’s an amazing guy,” Seattle wide receiver Tyler Lockett said.
Wilson inherits an offense with Courtland Sutton as a true No. 1 and will also have the returning Jerry Jeudy after he missed most of last season due to injury. It's a solid running attack with Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, but that offensive line will be able to carry both of those aspects of the game.
The Broncos have gone all-in with their additions, signing former Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Randy Gregory to a long-term deal. Gregory and Bradley Chubb will create a formidable pass rush duo. If those two get to the quarterback well, it'll be an easy day for the star-studded secondary of Justin Simmons and rising corner Pat Surtain II.
Denver is going against Geno Smith, not former quarterback Drew Lock, in this matchup, and given how Wilson had to run for his life with that offensive line, I don't envy Smith's future on Monday night.
“You’re either competing or you’re not. I’m leaving it up to the 12s,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll. “It’s game time and we’re going for it, so however they take it, I’ll follow their lead on that. I’m not going to be involved with that kind of opportunity to react, so I don’t have to make that decision. We’ll see what happens. But I’m going to leave it up to the 12s. I think they’ll know exactly what to do.”
“I think that Seattle should cheer him on for everything that he’s done, helped bring a Super Bowl to this community, all that different type of stuff. He’s an amazing guy,” Seattle wide receiver Tyler Lockett said.
Prediction
This will be an interesting matchup between two teams not known to be good against the spread. The Broncos are a .500 team in their last 10 as a favorite, and it's been far and few between since they've been a favorite by at least a touchdown. The Seahawks, as an underdog, are 7-4 ATS. At the end of the day, it's going to come down to which defense makes the most plays. You'd expect a fired-up Seattle defense, but I can't see Smith doing better than Russ. Not happening on this night. Broncos win by 13
Betting trends
Broncos are 36-19 ATS in the first two weeks of the season since 1992.
Under is 5-1 in Denver's last six September games.
Broncos are 18-29 ATS on Monday Night Football.
Over is 77-44 when Seattle is an underdog between 3.5 and 9,5 dating back to 1992.
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Denver Broncos - Seattle Seahwks prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NFL projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
