The memory of Super Bowl XLVIII will fuel the Denver Broncos as they make their way to Seattle for the featured game of the week in the NFL. Can they win in a tough environment?
Denver Broncos @ Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, September 21st – 4:25 PM ET
Odds: Seattle -4.5
Why The Broncos Will Cover
They are facing a version of the Seahawks’ defense which is not something professional football fans have become used to seeing in recent years. Seattle’s defense came up with its poorest and most consistently undisciplined performance in a long time last weekend. The Seahawks were cut up by the San Diego Chargers in a 30-21 loss. The biggest problem for Seattle was that its defense couldn’t get off the field. The Chargers were 10 of 17 on third downs, an excellent conversion rate that had to get Seahawk head coach Pete Carroll fuming on the sidelines. The Seahawk defense had a lot of players cramp up in the early season heat in the second half. They did not handle the situation well, and what’s probably most concerning for Seattle is that its defense allowed the Chargers to hold the ball for just over 42 minutes. That rate of ineffectiveness on third downs, and the lack of energy seen over the course of the full game, should really worry the Seahawks. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning has to enter this game and think that if he can convert a high percentage of third and five plays, Denver can keep the ball away from Seattle and do what it takes to win. San Diego tight end Antonio Gates was the best receiver against the Seahawks. Denver has Julius Thomas, a big-bodied guy who can also outwork linebackers over the middle.
Why The Seahawks Will Cover
This line of reasoning might not be original at all, but what else are you going to say? The Seahawks are going to cover because they’re playing at home.
It’s just not something which needs to be any more complicated than this: The Seahawks are extremely tough to beat on their own field. They’ve lost just one time at home over the past two seasons, plus this year’s opener against the Green Bay Packers. Seattle plays with such freedom and intensity on defense, flying to the ball and making all the right reactions. The Seahawks’ offense, which really didn’t play a bad game against San Diego (it scored 21 points in under 18 minutes of possession), is very comfortable at home. Russell Wilson, who played so cleanly and confidently in the Super Bowl versus the Broncos, should once again be able to make the right decisions. If Seattle keeps its turnover count down, the Seahawks, having proved how much faster they are than the Broncos based on their Super Bowl rout, should be able to dictate the way this game is played.
Outlook
If the Seahawks play a bad game for the second straight week, it will be a noticeable surprise. Seattle, playing at home, is likely to swarm Peyton Manning and make the Broncos look like a bad team by comparison.
Pick: Seahawks -4.5
