Let’s dive into our Monday Night Football predictions and best bets for Week 1 of the NFL season.
This matchup features the Seahawks vs. Broncos, starting at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. There’s no shortage of storylines in this game, as All-Pro QB Russell Wilson will return to Seattle in his first game playing for somebody other than the Seahawks.
The NFL scriptwriters really outdid themselves in this primetime matchup, and we will outline our favorite Monday Night Football predictions and best bets in the section below.
Seahawks vs. Broncos Predictions
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Seahawks vs. Broncos Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | -6.5 | -300 | O 44.5 (-110) |
| @ Seahawks | +6.5 | +245 | U 44.5 (-110) |
Odds via Betway as of 2 am ET on Sept. 12.
Game Info
- Date: Monday, September 12
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
- TV: ESPN, ABC
Monday Night Football Predictions: Week 1
Russell Wilson is returning to the only home he’s ever known in the NFL.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks will be led by Wilson’s former backup, Geno Smith. Russ will presumably want to get the better of his former employer, but he didn’t play any preseason snaps. So, he doesn’t have game reps in a new offense with new teammates. As a result, it could be slightly sloppy until they build rapport together.
For instance, the Packers have been dreadful in back-to-back season openers after 2020 and 2021 NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers sat out both preseasons. The Packers aren’t a random point of comparison, either. Denver’s new head coach Nathaniel Hackett was the offensive coordinator for the Packers from 2019-2021.
Seattle’s offense is also unlikely to set the world on fire. According to Pro-Football-Reference, the Seahawks were the only team to run fewer than 1,000 plays in 2021. Now that a long-time backup QB leads them, they’re unlikely to turn into an uptempo powerhouse.
Moreover, Pete Carroll will likely lean on the running game. He loves dinosaur ball. According to Sharp Football Stats, the Seahawks passed at only a 56% clip in neutral game scripts, lower than the league average of 57% in 2021.
And, of course, the favored Broncos have a talented backfield with second-year bruiser Javonte Williams and veteran Melvin Gordon. Thus, it’s easy to imagine the Broncos pummeling the Seahawks on the ground, especially if they’re milking the clock with a lead.
You might have picked up where I’m putting my money in this contest. Yes, I love the under. The primetime games have been ugly to start the 2022 NFL season, and I’m not expecting this contest to be the exception to the rule.
Pick: Under 44.5 total points | -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook
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