Studs and duds from Seahawks' Week 1 win against the Broncos

DUD - Seahawks offense

The Seattle Seahawks kicked off the 2024 NFL season with a hard-fought 26-20 victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 1. While there’s plenty to celebrate about starting the season with a win, especially under new head coach Mike Macdonald, the performance left a lot to be desired—particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The Seahawks managed to squeak through with a victory, but the struggles on offense are a cause for concern as the team looks ahead to the rest of the season.

Throughout the first half, the Seahawks offense had trouble finding any rhythm. Drives stalled repeatedly, and Seattle found it difficult to move the ball consistently against a Broncos defense that was solid but not elite. Whether it was due to rust from limited preseason action or simply the growing pains of a team adapting to a new system, the lack of offensive production was evident.

Quarterback Geno Smith struggled to get into a groove, and the running game never really got going. The offensive line, a unit that has been a point of emphasis for improvement, looked shaky at times, allowing Denver to pressure Smith and disrupt the flow of the offense.

One of the most alarming aspects of the game was the fact that Seattle allowed the Broncos to score multiple safeties. Giving up safeties is not only demoralizing but also puts additional pressure on the defense, which was forced to spend more time on the field. Against a Denver team with a rookie quarterback, the defense was able to hold firm, but the Seahawks won’t always be so fortunate. When they face more prolific offenses, these types of mistakes could prove costly.

The Seahawks’ defense, led by standout performances from Julian Love and Riq Woolen, was able to bail the team out in this game. However, relying on the defense to carry the load every week is not a sustainable strategy. If the offense doesn’t improve and become more consistent, the Seahawks could find themselves in trouble when they go up against tougher competition.

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