Three bold predictions for the Seahawks Week 1 game versus Broncos

We warmed up with some bold predictions in the preseason. But let’s be honest, we weren’t using our starters. The preseason is a time to test out a few things. The Seattle Seahawks coaches want to know if Christian Haynes is ready to start at right guard. I want to know if I can really predict which backup receiver will score a big touchdown. But now the preseason is over and all of us have to get a little more serious.

So week one of bold predictions is zeroing in on the Seahawks' matchup against Denver, analyzing competitive strengths and weaknesses, historical trends, and the alignment of the planets. And I think we’ve got this one nailed.

Let’s start with some not-so-bold general opinions. First, the Seahawks win the game. It will be comfortable. Not a blowout, but not a nail-biter either. Generally low scoring. Let’s say 27-14. Geno is efficient, 16 of 24 for 242 yards. You know, give or take a yard or two.

That’s the easy stuff. Here are the bold ones.

Three bold predictions when the Seahawks play the Broncos in Week 1

A running back beats Cody Barton for a 20-yard touchdown catch.

Cody Barton had a miserable season in 2023. Playing in a two-linebacker base with the Washington Commanders, he was woeful against the run. That seemed to affect what had been adequate coverage skills and he often looked lost in space as well.

Ryan Grubb is well aware of that. He will look to pound the ball early to test the Broncos’ reconstructed run defense and slow their formidable pass rushers. Then, he will hit them with a back sneaking behind the pinched-in linebackers. The only thing I don’t know is whether this will be Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, or possibly even Kenny McIntosh, but I will ride with Charbonnet on this one.

The Hawks defense combines for five sacks and interceptions

Mike Macdonald will not blitz a lot, but he will try to make life miserable for Bo Nix in his first NFL start by throwing a thousand different looks at him. Nix is smart, and Sean Payton will no doubt have him prepared, but there will be breakdowns. The rookie that will talked about after this game is Byron Murphy II, who along with Leonard Williams, will be testing the middle of the Broncos offensive line all day.

Pressure right up the middle will force Nix to scramble and whichever edge rushers are on the field will take advantage with multiple sacks. It also will force some hurried throws, which plays into the hands of the Seahawks' secondary. Since I expect the Broncos to be trailing throughout most of the second half, Nix will have to take more chances. I’m thinking three sacks and two picks minimum.

Marvin Mims scares the crap out of Jay Harbaugh

Broncos return ace Marvin Mims will come within a shoelace of breaking a kick return for a score. I expect it will come on a punt, but if it happens on a kickoff, Harbaugh will instruct Jason Myers to blast all remaining kickoffs through the end zone and just give up the 30-yard line as starting field position. But as I said, I think it will come on a punt, and I have this vision of Coby Bryant tripping Mims up at the last second. But it might be Byron Murphy because there is nothing he can’t do.

And now, because I believe in encores, your bonus prediction. Kenneth Walker goes for over 120 yards. I don’t consider this all that bold, which is why it’s just a bonus add-on. The game script here has Seattle getting out to a lead and shutting down Denver’s offense. That means a second half with heavy doses of Walker. Denver struggled against the run last year and though they have tried to address the issue, the problem is far from solved.

Alex Singleton and Cody Barton are likely to have a good-looking stat line with a lot of tackles. But those tackles will be coming five-to-seven yards downfield on an awful lot of plays. Connor Williams is a beast of a run blocker and that will be on full display this Sunday.

That’s it for this week. Right or wrong, we’ll try again next week, though if I miss badly on everything, I may get benched in favor of a different writer.

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