Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos Game of the Week Preview, Predictions

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Matchups like the rivalry battles between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, and Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens will be interesting games to watch this week, but it’s obvious that the Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos will draw the most attention. This is deservedly so, because the Seahawks and Broncos have shown, to this very early point, that they are still the two teams to beat. Although I still have the Seahawks on top until proven otherwise, the Broncos could make a massive statement in the “otherwise” department by defeating the ‘Hawks in the 12th man’s battleground. It’s undoubtedly a difficult feat, but the Broncos are much healthier than they were in February and made a few big upgrades, with the addition of DeMarcus Ware paying off bigger dividends than I could have ever imagined.

We’re bringing back our “Game of the Week” roundtable feature in which the writers on our site give their thoughts and predictions on the most compelling matchup of the week. There’s no better way to resume this feature than by breaking down this contest, and this is one of those games where the hype absolutely deserves to be present.

J.P. Scott

Don’t think for one second Peyton Manning hasn’t spent countless hours in the film room — both alone and with all of his weapons — dissecting Philip Rivers‘ performance against Seattle. It’s simple, really: Anything Rivers can do, Manning can do better.

Despite what many thought to start the year, these are not the 2013 Seahawks. I still think there are going to be some offensive growing pains as they transition Percy Harvin into a more prominent role and deal with the loss of Golden Tate. A home game against a Green Bay team finding still finding their own way is a dangerous barometer to use when gauging the Seahawks.

I like Denver to move Emmanuel Sanders all over the field, taking advantage of the fact that Seattle’s corners never switch sides. I feel like he causes some matchup problems that Eric Decker did not a season ago. I like Denver to win 31-20, with Manning as always running the show but Sanders being the difference maker this time around.

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Matt Reed

Russell Wilson has lost just one game at home in his tenure as starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. I don’t expect that number to change this weekend against the Denver Broncos. While the Broncos are 2-0, they haven’t hit their stride yet, almost falling victim to late-game comebacks by both Indianapolis and Kansas City.

The Seahawks need to get back to what they do best this week, running the ball with Marshawn Lynch. For the Broncos, the offensive line needs to key in on protecting Peyton Manning. Their failure to do so in February’s Super Bowl was the team’s biggest downfall. I do see a much closer final score this time around, but Seattle is still the toughest place to play in the NFL.
Seahawks 34- 24 Broncos

Rishi Pochiraju

Seattle is coming off one of its worst efforts in a while; Denver is coming off one of the worst endings to a season that anyone could imagine. Seattle will be motivated from last week’s loss to San Diego and Denver will be motivated by its Super Bowl loss to Seattle, so I expect a hard-fought game from both teams. I do think Denver matches up better this time around — the defense is much improved. T.J. Ward and Aqib Talib improve the secondary — Russell Wilson shouldn’t have the same field day as he had in the Super Bowl — and Demarcus Ware will help with getting to Wilson. Unlike the two teams Denver has faced so far, Seattle has linebackers who can cover Julius Thomas in Malcolm Smith and Bobby Wagner. I’m confident that the “Legion of Boom” will at least slow down the Broncos’ high-octane passing attack.

Although the offense hasn’t put up more than 35 points in a game yet, Manning and co. are still efficient. Denver should fare better this time, and besides the fact that both teams gained and lost players over the offseason, the only difference in this rematch is the venue — which will end up making the difference. Home-field advantage is huge for the Seahawks — the team doesn’t lose at home. This rematch will be close, but Seattle will get the win in Washington State. Seattle 24, Denver 20.

Justen Rosenberg

I don’t even know where to start with this one but I’ll try and keep it simple. I’ll start off by saying you can forget about the game these two played back in February – this matchup will not be one sided.

So far, the Broncos have looked beatable and the Seahawks have already been beat. Regardless, there is no doubt in my mind these are the two best teams in football. They both have high powered offenses with really good defenses (Seattle’s being great).

The addition of Emmanuel Sanders will go a long way in helping Denver score more than 8 points against Seattle. Look for him to be the X-Factor. However, I believe this will be a close game with Russell Wilson doing his thing, leading the team to a late game winning drive.

Score Prediction: 28-24 Seattle

Joe Loncarich

People often like to compare mascots to see which team is tougher to decide who would win a football game. I could make the argument that a hawk would have too much versatility to be handled by a horse, but I am not going to do that. Instead, I will hypothetically put the quarterbacks in a fight to decide the winner of this game. Manning has the size on Wilson, but Wilson definitely has the natural athleticism. His youth should give him the confidence to win the fight. Unfortunately, the first rule of fighting is never fight somebody uglier than you, because they have nothing to lose. Peyton clearly has nothing to lose, so expect his Broncos to get revenge and beat the Seahawks this week.

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