The Seattle Seahawks head to Denver to take on the Broncos for Thursday Night Football with both teams sitting at 3-2 and looking to gain ground in their respective divisional races. Seattle is coming off a difficult Week 5 loss to San Francisco, while Denver has won three of its past four games and enters unbeaten at home.
The matchup places Seattle’s depleted backfield against a Denver defense that has struggled to stop the run. At the same time, the Broncos may be without star cornerback Patrick Surtain II, which could create more opportunities for Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Seahawks vs. Broncos Odds
Seahawks: -2.5
Broncos: +2.5
Over: 40.5
Under: 40.5
Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Seahawks vs. Broncos Key Injuries
Seattle’s injury concerns begin in the backfield. Zach Charbonnet is still out as he tries to come back from his ACL tear and rookie Jadarian Price are both on injured reserve, leaving the Seahawks without their top two running backs. Emanuel Wilson led the group last week with 61 yards on 20 carries against San Francisco, but the Seahawks averaged only 3.4 yards per attempt.
That could push Seattle toward a pass-heavy game plan, particularly if they fall behind early. Darnold will need to make efficient throws against a Denver secondary that has generally limited big plays, though Surtain’s status could change the assignment dramatically. If he cannot play, Denver loses its best option against JSN.
The Broncos do not enter without questions of their own. Denver has been effective at home, but its defense has been vulnerable against the run. The Broncos allowed 155 rushing yards and a touchdown to the Chargers last week, a concern even against a Seahawks offense missing key personnel.
Seahawks Betting Trends
Seattle has been competitive through five weeks, but the Week 5 loss to the 49ers exposed the importance of creating balance on offense. The Seahawks cannot rely on Darnold to carry every possession if Denver is able to pressure the pocket and take away easy throws, as they are just 1-2-2 ATS overall.
The good news for Seattle is that Denver’s defensive weakness matches what the Seahawks need to improve. The Broncos are allowing 145.2 rushing yards per game, one of the highest marks in the league. Even with Charbonnet and Price unavailable, Seattle may have a chance to establish Wilson early and use the ground game to keep Denver’s pass rush honest.
Seattle’s defense also has a chance to dictate the pace. Thursday night road games can be difficult, but the Seahawks have the personnel to limit explosive plays and make Denver sustain long drives.
Broncos Betting Trends
Denver’s recent form has been encouraging. The Broncos have won three of four games and defended home field against both Jacksonville and the Rams. That success makes the +2.5 spread attractive for a team that is 3-1 ATS in their last four, but are 0-2 ATS as underdogs.
Still, the Broncos need a better performance against the run. Seattle’s rushing numbers from Week 5 were not impressive, but the Seahawks may see Denver as the right opponent to recommit to the ground game. If the Broncos cannot win early downs, they risk allowing Seattle to control possession and keep its defense on the field too long.
Surtain’s availability is the major variable. Denver’s pass defense has allowed only 202.2 yards per game, but losing its top corner would put greater pressure on the rest of the secondary. Darnold may be more willing to attack downfield if Surtain is inactive or limited.
Keys to the Matchup
Article Continues BelowSeattle must find a workable rushing attack. Wilson does not need to produce a huge game, but the Seahawks need enough success on the ground to create manageable third downs and open play-action opportunities.
Denver’s path is built around home-field pressure. If the Broncos can stop the run with lighter boxes, they can focus on disrupting Darnold and challenging Seattle’s receivers. A healthy Surtain would make that task far easier.
Turnovers could decide the game. Both teams have enough defensive talent to flip momentum, and a short week raises the chance of mistakes. The side that avoids giveaways and converts red-zone trips should have the edge.
Seahawks vs. Broncos Prediction and Pick
Seattle has the better matchup on paper because Denver’s run defense has been so vulnerable. The Seahawks’ missing running backs keep this from being a comfortable pick, but the Broncos have shown they can be exploited on the ground and may not have Surtain available to shadow Smith-Njigba.
Denver should stay close at home, but Seattle’s defense and passing game give the Seahawks the slight edge in a tight Thursday night contest.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Broncos 20