Seahawks vs. Broncos: A look at Seattle’s week one opponent
By Luke Allen
The Seahawks play their first game of the 2018 regular season Sunday in Denver against the Broncos. Here’s a look at the 2018 version of Denver.
The Denver Broncos had a disappointing season last year, finishing 5-11 in head coach Vance Joseph’s inaugural season. A large part of their lack of success was the quarterback play. Trevor Siemian did not live up to expectations. Siemian was eventually benched for Brock Osweiler, who proved to be no more effective. Now Case Keenum will be the quarterback against the Seahawks.
This season, the Broncos hope newly acquired quarterback Keenum can be the consistent answer at the position. Combining competent quarterback play with their deadly pass rush combo of Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, the Broncos hope to contend for a playoff spot this year and avenge their disappointing 5-11 run last year.
Key acquisitions:
- QB Case Keenum
- DE Bradley Chubb
- RB Royce Freeman
- P Marquette King
- CB Tramaine Brock
- SS Su’a Cravens
- CB Adam Jones
Key Departures:
- CB Aqib Talib
- QB Trevor Siemian
- TE Virgil Green
- WR Cody Latimer
- QB Brock Osweiler
Broncos players to watch for Sunday:
It would be pretty easy to say Von Miller is the player to watch since he is in fact Denver’s best player. However, my player to watch on Denver is rookie running back Royce Freeman. Like Seattle, Denver is eager to see how their rookie running back does on the field in meaningful play. Freeman was drafted in the third round out of Oregon, and runs downfield hard. He’s had comparisons to Marshawn Lynch, and some experts even mocked him to the Seahawks.
I will also be watching cornerback Bradley Roby on Sunday. Roby, a fifth-year player, was drafted in the first round in 2014, but has never really had his chance to be ‘the guy’ in Denver. His play certainly has not been stellar in his four years in the league, but he’s shown flashes. Broncos fans hope he can take a big leap this year and solidify himself as their number one corner. He will likely cover the Seahawks’ number one receiver on Sunday.
Match ups to watch for:
Going back to Miller, the Seattle offensive line needs to bring their ‘A’ game on Sunday. Denver will be rushing both Miller and rookie stud defensive end Chubb. My match-up to watch is how the tackles, Duane Brown and Germain Ifedi, will hold up against these edge rushers. If the tackles can’t hold their own, it could be a long day for Russell Wilson.
Another important match up is the Seattle secondary versus the Broncos’ receivers. We don’t know if Earl Thomas will play Sunday, but we do know that Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman won’t play. Instead, younger players like Shaquill Griffin, Tre Flowers, and possibly Tedric Thompson will get their chance on Sunday against a pretty good Broncos receiving corps. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders will be a handful.
Injury report:
The Broncos’ injury report is for the most part pretty clean and they figure to be at full strength on Sunday. Must be nice.
Next. 3 biggest worries for Seahawks in 2018. dark
The Seahawks wish they could say the same. KJ Wright will not play so rookie Shaquem Griffin will start in his place. Cornerback Byron Maxwell is out for awhile, and even his backup Dontae Johnson is a little beat up and hasn’t practiced all week. If Johnson can’t go, rookie Flowers will start. Starting guard DJ Fluker likely won’t play, and JR Sweezy will start in his place. Jarran Reed is dealing with a bit of a knee issue, but he is expected to play.