Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 8th 2024
Preview and Prediction
In the fall of 2024, the Denver Broncos commenced their season in Seattle, with quarterback Russell Wilson making his first appearance in orange and blue after spending 10 seasons with the Seahawks.
This Sunday, the Broncos will return to Lumen Field for their season opener, this time with their first-round draft pick from Oregon, Bo Nix, leading the team as their rookie quarterback.
Nix will be the 14th player to start at the quarterback position for the Broncos since the retirement of Peyton Manning, who led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2015.
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He will also be the first rookie quarterback to start for the Broncos since John Elway in 1983.
According to Broncos veteran offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey, there is a lot of pressure on Nix's shoulders as everyone wants him to succeed greatly, but he doesn't have to do anything extraordinary every day, just his job.
Despite still paying Wilson a large sum of money, the Broncos plan to have Nix as their starting quarterback.
Nix holds the NCAA record for most starts as a quarterback with 61 games played at Auburn and Oregon. In the preseason, he completed 23 out of 30 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Broncos to scores on six out of seven possessions.
This is why he not only received the starting position from coach Sean Payton, but was also named one of the team's captains by his fellow teammates. He will be the first rookie captain for the Broncos since Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little in 1967.
Nix expressed his gratitude for being chosen as a captain, stating that it is a privilege and an honor to be part of such a great group. He understands the significance of this role and is determined to prove himself every day.
Despite his impressive performances, Nix has yet to defeat a team from Seattle, with a record of 0-3 against the University of Washington during his time with the Ducks.
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According to Payton, the crowd at Lumen Field on Sunday will be loud, and he expects it to be similar to when Nix played against Washington in front of thousands of fans.
The Seahawks have also made changes, with 37-year-old Mike Macdonald taking over as the new head coach, making him the youngest coach in the NFL. Macdonald previously coordinated the Baltimore Ravens' defense, which led the league in sacks and had the fewest points allowed per game.
Macdonald has been praised for his ability to outsmart even the most advanced minds in the game, which is one of the reasons why Seahawks general manager John Schneider chose him for the role.
On the offensive side, the Seahawks have also made changes, with new coordinator Ryan Grubb, who helped guide the University of Washington to the national title game last season. Grubb initially planned to join head coach Kalen DeBoer at Alabama, but ultimately decided to stay in the Pacific Northwest.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf is excited for Grubb's explosive plays down the field, and is looking forward to him opening up the playbook to exploit defenses.
Both teams have a clean injury report, with the exception of Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and tight end Pharaoh Brown, who are expected to be out for Sunday's game.