When the Broncos travel to face the Seahawks to close Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season on "Monday Night Football" (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN), the spotlight will be on Russell Wilson returning to face his former team as a starting quarterback for the first time.
The former AFC West rivals don't face each other often anymore. While Denver is expected to be an AFC playoff contender with Wilson, Seattle is projected to be one of NFC's worst teams with Geno Smith replacing him.
Here's how Sporting News sees the game playing out in what should be an emotional night for Wilson and those who used to play with and coach him in Seattle:
LIVE: Follow Broncos vs. Seahawks on 'Monday Night Football'
Broncos vs. Seahawks odds for "Monday Night Football"
- Spread: Broncos by 6.5
- Over/under: 44
- Moneyine: Broncos -115, Seahawks -105
The Broncos' favored number has grown a little but the total has stayed pretty low given the Seahawks' offense vs. a tough Broncos defense.
(betting odds per Caesars Sportsbook)
Broncos vs. Seahawks all-time series
The Broncos lead 35-21. They have not faced the Seahawks since 2018. The Broncos won that meeting but the Seahawks had won the previous two and three out of five. Most notably, the Seahawks won Super Bowl 48 with Wilson over Peyton Manning's Broncos, 43-8.
Three trends to know
—An overwhelming 73 percent of spread bettors like the Broncos to cover on the road at night.
—55 of total bettors like the under despite the low total, citing little confidence in the Seahawks' offense.
—The Broncos were 8-8-1 against the spread last season. The Seahawks were 9-8 against the spread in 2021.
Three things to watch
Wilson and his new weapons
Wilson played in Seattle for a decade, winning a ton of games including that Super Bowl. He is used to playing in front of the loud crowd, but this time 'the 6th Man' will be working to try to pump up the Seahawks' defense against him. He will need to settle his nerves and stick with his new offensive system to produce well at first with a new group of receivers, led by Courtland Sutton.
DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett without Wilson
While Sutton and Jerry Jeudy will benefit as the Broncos' wideouts, Metcalf, the speedy and big outside No. 1, and Lockett, the venerable quick slot man, will need to spark the Seahawks' offense despite Smith not having the same big arm as Wilson. They will face a tough Broncos secondary featuring young star Pat Surtain II and safety Justin Simmons.
Pete Carroll vs. Wilson
Will Carroll, even with a defense short on talent, figure out a scheme that exploit his knowledge of Wilson's passing and running tendencies to keep his former on-field leader in check? You can bet the emotions also will be flowing for Wilson's only pro head coach before 2021. Carroll will need all of rah-rah motivational ability for the Seahawks to pull a stunning upset.
Stat that matters
7.8 vs. 6.9. That's Wilson's career yards per pass attempt vs. Smith's career yards per pass attempt. That's a significant difference as the Broncos get a bump in the downfield passing game while the Seahawks take a big hit.
Wilson also will be helped by the strong running of Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon to set up deep shots off play-action that he loves. Smith's support may be suspect with a banged-up Rashaad Penny behind a lesser offensive line.
Broncos vs. Seahawks prediction
It's just not Wilson vs. the Seahawks' pass defense. The Broncos have the potential to dominate this game in every which way — passing from Wilson, running with Williams and Gordon and their own defense. Wilson's experience in hostile Seattle will help calm his teammates down for a comfortable victory.
Broncos 27, Seahawks 10
