The Seattle Seahawks have been in a sort of purgatory since their heartbreaking Super Bowl. They’ve had 10 or more wins five times in nine years, but have never posed a threat to accomplish anything other than remain serviceable in a disappointing division. They’re clear favorites to open the season against the Denver Broncos, but even with new coach Mike Macdonald, it’s a familiar feeling in Seattle.

Geno Smith is back with a restructured contract, and his return to NFL prominence has been an uplifting comeback story. But his resurgence has given him two consecutive 9-8 seasons and mediocre offensive rankings, despite the presence of talented wideouts Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf and a great young runner in Kenneth Walker III. Lockett was listed as questionable on Thursday’s injury report, but participated in practice Friday and is expected to play.

Their defense was brutal in 2023, but a boost from young talent and the arrival of Macdonald, who just led Baltimore’s defense to the top of the league, provide long-term optimism. In the short term, the Hawks are likely in for another mediocre season. And in the even shorter term, they’ll have to deal with a Sean Payton-led Bronco team that’s riding high thanks to some success last season and a rookie QB.

For all its faults, the Russell Wilson Gambit gave Denver a reason to smile: a high enough draft pick to snag a player they consider their passer of the future in Bo Nix. Nix’s numbers exploded after he moved to Oregon, and he arrived last season with 4,500 yards, 45 touchdowns, and three (!) interceptions. The loud “oohs” and “ahs” from pundits, players, and virtually anyone who got to see Nix in the preseason couldn’t dampen the hype, and Payton named him the starter without controversy.

Nix is ​​not a long-ball thrower. Last year he ranked first among power conference quarterbacks in passes with zero or fewer air yards, but his best wideouts are Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds, so he doesn’t necessarily have a whole roster of elite speedsters to target down low. He’s touted for his quick throws and ball security, and Payton’s play-action offense in the preseason seems to indicate he’s leaning on Nix’s strengths.

Aside from quarterback, the Broncos are largely unchanged, limited by Wilson’s massive dead-money cap hit, and facing a stable if disappointing Seahawks, Denver is banking on Nix’s jolt to bring just enough new energy to pull off an early upset.

All odds from BetMGM. Looking for NFL tickets? Find them here.

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Odds for Denver Broncos vs Seattle Seahawks

How to watch Broncos vs. Seahawks

• Venue: Lumen Field – Seattle
• Time: 4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday
• TV: CBS
• Streaming: Watch live on Fubo (Save $30)

Expert tips for Broncos vs. Seahawks

Read more about NFL Week 1

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Week 1 Score Predictions: Model predictions for spread and total for each game

NFL Tips Week 1: Trust in Josh Allen and let the Bo Nix hype die down for now

(Photo of Bo Nix: Tyler Schank / Getty Images)