Broncos vs Seahawks Preview & Free Pick [September 12th 2022]

Russell Wilson makes his Broncos debut against his former team

Denver (0-0) at Seattle (0-0)
When: Monday, September 12th 2022
Where: Lumen Field,
Seattle, WA
Time: 8:15 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Denver -3.5/41

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What better way for the Monday Night Football schedule to begin with Russell Wilson returning to Seattle to face his former team. Wilson and the Denver Broncos open up their 2022 season when they visit the Seattle Seahawks at 8:15 ET on ESPN. This game will also feature the debut of the new Monday night booth featuring Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, formerly the No. 1 team at FOX. The Broncos are now 7-point favorites after opening as 3.5-point favorites early in the summer. There were a lot of big-name players to switch teams this offseason, but none bigger than Wilson going to Denver. Wilson, who guided the Seahawks to their lone Super Bowl title, played the first 10 seasons of his career in Seattle.

The Seahawks will open the season with Geno Smith under center, a significant drop from Wilson. Smith started three games when Wilson was out with a hand injury last year, going 1-2 and hasn’t been a regular starter since his first two NFL seasons with the New York Jets in 2013-14. Wilson isn’t the only popular veteran Seattle let go in the offseason, as middle linebacker Bobby Wagner has moved on to the Los Angeles Rams. It’s the first meeting between these teams since the 2018 season opener in Denver, which was won by the Broncos 27-24. Wilson threw for 298 yards, three TDs with two interceptions. Case Keenum was the Denver QB, but is now long gone from the organization. Emmanuel Sanders, who had 10 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown, is also no longer with Denver. Seattle is 3-1-1 ATS in the past five meetings.

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It appears Wilson wants to end his career in Denver, as the team signed him to a five-year, $245 million contract extension last week with $165 million guaranteed. Wilson had not missed a game in his career until sitting out three last year with a finger injury. He ranked fifth in the league with a 103.1 rating in 14 games. Wilson won’t have DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to throw to, who rank among the best combo in the league. The Broncos lost wide receiver Tim Patrick to a season-ending injury early in camp. He had 55 catches for 734 yards and five TDs last year. Denver still has capable wide receivers in Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. Albert Okwuegbunam (33 catches, 330 yards, two TDs in 2021) takes over at tight end for the traded Noah Fant. Broncos right tackle Billy Turner missed most of the preseason while recuperating from knee surgery and was limited in practice this week.

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The Seahawks are expected to be one of the worst teams in the league and this year’s QB draft class wasn’t very good. So, it appears they’ll ride it out with Smith before an excellent 2023 class, where Seattle would be expected to draft their next franchise quarterback. Smith has a 13-21 career record and won the starting QB job in camp over Drew Lock. Second-round rookie running back Kenneth Walker was very impressive in camp before suffering a hernia injury and is questionable for Monday. Cornerback Artie Burns has been slowed by a groin injury and might not be ready after sitting out practice on Thursday. Linebacker Alton Robinson (knee) and long snapper Tyler Ott (shoulder) are out.

Denver has been pretty decent the last few seasons, but they lacked one important piece – a quarterback. They now have one of the best in Wilson and he would like nothing more than to stick it to his old team in his first game. The Seahawks have weapons on offense, but I don’t trust Smith at all. Seattle’s defense is also going to be bad. I’m laying the points with Denver.

Week 1 NFL Staff Selections

Pick: Broncos -6.5


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