A new era in Seattle Seahawks football begins in 2018. No longer are they called the Legion of Boom with nearly all the particulars that accounted for that moniker no longer around. But don’t count the Seahawks. Knowing this time would come, forward-thinking management stocked the cupboard on the defensive side leaving Pete Carroll in good position to continue the excellence that resulted in five straight double-digit win seasons, three NFC West titles and two Super Bowl appearances in a five-year stretch. The new era begins in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos.
This matchup in Week 1 of the NFL regular season will take place on Sunday, September 9, 2018, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.
NFL Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Seattle Seahawks +3
Denver Broncos -3
Over/Under 42
Odds Analysis
Seattle isn’t getting much respect from the betting public in this one. The line opened at Denver -1 but has climbed to -3 with over three-quarters of the action on the home team. It is a transition year for the Seahawks, but they still have Russell Wilson, and that’s worth something. We could see the spread increase and Seattle backers might want to consider throwing down on their team. The total has remained steady and is currently at 42.
Injury Report
K.J. Wright – One remaining holdover from the Legion of Boom days and Seattle’s Super Bowl teams, Wright experienced some discomfort in his knee following the third preseason game and underwent a procedure that will keep him out of the opener. Wright has been a fixture at weakside linebacker for the Seahawks since 2013 and will be replaced in the lineup by rookie Shaquem Griffin.
Doug Baldwin – Seattle’s leading receiver from a season ago has been sidelined for all but the first few days of training camp with a knee injury. Baldwin said he expects to play on Sunday, but the knee will need to be monitored throughout the season. How that affects him remains to be seen, but it’s tough enough to run routes and catch passes with two good wheels.
Players to Watch
Every NFL game revolves around quarterback play and these teams are relying on theirs for big things in 2018. No player is more important to his team than Wilson and he’s proven that over the past several seasons. Wilson has operated behind some shady lines and yet he still takes the field every Sunday, playing in 96 consecutive games and missing just one play due to injury. More is expected of him - if that’s even possible - this year with the defense getting a makeover.
After two years of watching Trevor Siemian piss down his leg, the Broncos reached out to Case Keenum to take over the job. A career journeyman, Keenum had a breakout year in 2017 leading Minnesota to the NFC Championship Game by completing 67.6 percent for 3,547 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He ranked seventh with a passer rating of 98.3, but was allowed to test the market when the Vikings made it clear they didn’t want him by pursuing Kirk Cousins.
Matchup to Watch
The Broncos pride themselves on defense and they can shut down most teams with their aggressive style. The group slipped in the points allowed department last year finishing the year ranked No. 22, but they made opponents earn everything by allowing the third-fewest yards per game. Von Miller is a premiere edge rusher and the group of linebackers is among the best in the business. Getting after Wilson is key to winning this matchup.
Play along the offensive line has been an issue for the Seahawks in recent seasons, but the 2018 group should be better than it has been with a new line coach. No longer is the team shifting players around to different spots like it did under Tom Cable. Now the roles have been set since the opening of camp and Mike Solari has a strong group led by left tackle Duane Brown. This matchup will be a deciding factor in the final outcome.
Free ATS Pick
It will take some time for the Seahawks to adjust on defense with plenty of new faces and without leader Wright. That puts a lot of pressure on Wilson and the offense to be more efficient. Wilson is a stud and the offense will have to carry the team for awhile. The running game is still a work in progress and the line, while set at every position remains a question mark.
Banking on Keenum to be your savior could be a mistake by the Broncos. Sure, he had a startling last season with impressive numbers, but where were those earlier in his career? He’ll make the team better and his accuracy will be enough to fluster Seattle’s defense, but this game stays close thanks to Wilson’s theatrics.
NFL Betting Odds: Broncos 21, Seahawks 20
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