The Denver Broncos haven’t played the Seattle Seahawks since Bo Nix’s first NFL start, a 26-20 loss in Seattle in September 2024. That game came back into the news last month, and it is the first thing to know before the defending Super Bowl champions visit Mile High on Thursday night. The Broncos, coming off a 23-17 win over the Chargers, will wear their throwbacks for the first time this season.
Sean Payton and Mike Macdonald
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In September, a clip from Macdonald’s interview with Graham Bensinger spread online. In it, Seattle’s coach said Payton accused the Seahawks of cheating after that 2024 opener, comparing it to Spygate and Michigan’s sign-stealing case. Seattle had studied roughly 100 fan-posted clips of Denver’s training camp, which isn’t against NFL rules, and Macdonald said the Seahawks threatened to sue if Payton took it public.
Macdonald said the comments weren’t meant to air and called Payton to apologize. “He and I are good,” Payton said the next day. He also admitted, “I’m sure my initial call to John wasn’t pleasant,” referring to Seattle GM John Schneider. Bensinger later called including it his error in judgment. Payton said again this week that it’s all good. Thursday is the first time they have coached against each other since.
Seattle’s defense leads the league
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The Seahawks have allowed 1,256 yards, the fewest in the NFL, and lead the league in passing yards allowed and net yards per attempt (4.5). No opponent has gained more than 301 yards against them. Opponents convert 29.4% of their third downs, third-best in the league.
That is a hard matchup for Denver, which went 1 for 12 on third down Sunday in Payton’s first game back calling plays.
Turnovers on both sides
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Seattle has forced 11 turnovers, the most in the NFL. It has also been careless with the ball. After one giveaway in the first two games, the Seahawks have eight in the last three, and opponents have turned them into 45 points. San Francisco scored 21 points off four first-half turnovers Sunday in a 32-29 win. Sam Darnold has five interceptions, and his first pass was picked off in back-to-back games.
Denver’s defense had five sacks and three takeaways against the Chargers. Those takeaways turned into 13 points.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s record pace
The reigning Offensive Player of the Year leads the NFL with 583 receiving yards and has seven touchdown catches. That pace works out to about 1,982 yards over 17 games, which would pass Calvin Johnson’s record of 1,964. Patrick Surtain II and Talanoa Hufanga are out, so second-year corner Jahdae Barron becomes central to Denver’s plan.
Seattle’s run game
Here is where Denver can win. Seattle averages 3.8 yards per carry, and lead back Emanuel Wilson is at 3.4 on 73 carries. Zach Charbonnet is still out and Jadarian Price is on injured reserve. The Seahawks also rank 31st in third-down offense at 29.8%.
Both of Seattle’s lost fumbles in the 32-29 loss to San Francisco came from running backs, Emanuel Wilson and George Holani, and the Seahawks finished with 89 yards on 26 carries. Holani is averaging 3.0 yards per carry, and Seattle looked at Joe Mixon last week before he failed his physical. Macdonald said Monday that Charbonnet won’t be back for Thursday, though that was “subject to change.” Denver hasn’t been stout against the run either, allowing 4.7 yards per carry. But the Broncos had 12 tackles for loss against the Chargers, and a Seattle offense that can’t run will leave Sam Darnold throwing on third-and-long. Kickoff is 6:15 p.m. MT on Prime Video.
More on the Denver Broncos
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- Broncos QB Bo Nix Must Find Another Gear Against Seahawks
- Will Pat Surtain II Play Against Seahawks? Latest Update on Broncos CB
