The Seattle Seahawks do not need a dramatic overhaul to beat the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. They need Sam Darnold to stop handing opponents short fields. The quarterback has five interceptions listed through the opening stretch of the season, and Locked On Seahawks host Dan Viens said the giveaways have already swung games Seattle otherwise had a chance to win.
Viens said Darnold has thrown costly interceptions on throws toward the sideline and into the flats, often putting the defense in immediate trouble. His prescription before facing Denver: get back to the middle of the field, where Darnold was more effective last season, and avoid the early mistakes that have defined recent games.
That approach could matter against a Broncos secondary missing two key defenders in practice. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II (ankle) and safety Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) were nonparticipants on the latest injury report, creating a potential opening between the numbers if Seattle can keep Darnold in rhythm and out of obvious passing situations.
The Seahawks also must make their offense less predictable. Viens pointed to a conservative first-down approach and a limited under-center passing menu as tendencies that have allowed defenses to key on the run, force second-and-long and pressure Darnold. Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph can exploit those looks if Seattle again telegraphs its intent.
Seattle’s defense gives the offense a margin for error, but not an unlimited one. Viens said the unit ranks second in pressure rate and has continued to disrupt quarterbacks without relying on one dominant edge rusher. That pressure will test Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, whose own uneven start has prompted head coach Sean Payton to resume play-calling duties.
The Seahawks’ best path is straightforward: protect the football, use the middle of the field to settle Darnold and let their defense make Nix earn every drive. A clean game would give Seattle a chance to leave Denver with its fourth win; another string of short fields could waste an advantageous matchup for a defense that has largely held up despite the offense’s mistakes.
Seattle follows Thursday’s game with matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears, making a cleaner offensive performance in Denver especially important before the schedule tightens further.
More on the Seattle Seahawks
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