Seahawks Vs. Broncos Week One 2022: Russell Wilson Revenge Game?
Russell Wilson returns home to Seattle to face the Seahawks in a poetic beginning to the 2022 season.
Score Prediction: Seahawks Fall To Broncos, 24-9
Pessimistic Seahawks fan here. Every fan has seen what Geno Smith has to offer and it can be summed up with this: not reaching the end zone. Russell Wilson has shown his ability in the past in primetime games and this game should be no different. In his return to Seattle, Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense will be overwhelming for a young, inexperienced Seattle defense while Geno Smith behind the projected 32nd ranked offensive line will prove ineffective in this matchup.
Key Matchups:
Seahawks Defense vs. Broncos Offense
The Seahawks will be returning some key pieces to their defense this season including both safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs. Quandre Diggs has been one of the top free safeties in the NFL in recent years and a saving grace for an otherwise miserable Seahawks defense. The two inside linebackers, Cody Barton and Jordyn Brooks, have shown signs of promise, but Barton remains untested.
The biggest test in this matchup will be two talented Broncos wide receivers, Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, lining up against Artie Burns and Sidney Jones IV. Sidney Jones saw increased production with Seattle last season after three years with Philadelphia and a year with Jacksonville. In 2021, Jones averaged just over four tackles per game. Burns has seen lower production and games played as his career has progressed during four seasons with the Steelers and last season with the Bears. In 2021, he averaged two tackles per game and only played in eleven games.
Seahawks Offensive Line in Pass Protection
The offensive line has been a recurring issue in the post-Super Bowl Pete Carroll years. Our starting line in this matchup features two rookie offensive tackles, a guard-turned-center, and two under-performing guards (one of which, Damien Lewis, has not shown much impact in the Seahawks offense since being moved from right guard to left guard in 2021).
A caveat in this weakness may be rookie left tackle Charles Cross, the first first-round offensive lineman Seattle has drafted since Russell Okung in 2010. Hopefully, this pick, along with the selection of Abraham Lucas, shows a new-found commitment to bolstering the offensive line using the capital provided by the Russell Wilson trade.
Takeaways:
The current line for the game is Denver -6. While the Seahawks will have homefield advantage, it would be shocking if the Seahawks are able to cover the spread. Nobody expects the Seahawks to be contenders this year. This could make things fun if the Hawks are somehow more competitive than expected. But all things considered, most invested fans are looking towards 2023.
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