2024 Week 1: Broncos 20, Seahawks 26
This game featured two good defenses and one of them is good, bordering great. That defense is, of course, Denver’s.
The Broncos defense looked so energized all preseason and was one the main reason I had bet on them to cover 6.5 points this week, which they did by the hook. This game also brought us two safeties courtesy of the Denver defense… there may be teams with 0 in the last 10 years.
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D/ST Report:
- Starting this game off with the defenses because that’s where the majority of this game was played. Two good defenses facing off against each other. The Seahawks have a more established offense while the Broncos had a rookie QB making his debut. This was the difference in the game today. If they had played each other in the second half of the season I believe the Broncos would have won.
- Obviously Patrick Surtain (6 tackles) is incredible, but Riley Moss (12 tackles, 1 TFL) has been developing into a good+ corner this offseason. The Broncos d-line was finding their way into the backfield on nearly every play and that success led to 2 safeties in a 7-minute span.
- I’m not sure how good the Seahawks' o-line is because they were bullied all game, but Pittsburgh has a very weak o-line and will struggle with the Denver front 7.
- The Seattle defense looked good here as well, facing a rookie QB in their debut, playing in Seattle, they should look good. Seattle is a hard place to play as is. This is a good defense but they don’t stack up to Denver’s.
- Julian Love (12 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT) continues to play well
QB Report:
- Bo Nix (26/42 for 138 yards, 0 TD/ 2 INT) made his debut and he looks real. A few bad throws but he bounced back from them, using the common quip… Bo Nix has a short memory. Bo Nix looked great in the pocket, no shocker there. If the Broncos can get some competent weapons via trade/free agency/drafting, they will compete for the AFC West next year. I can promise you that.
- Geno Smith (18/25 for 171 yards, 1 TD/0 INT) was in dog fight with the Broncos defense all game and his experience started to show in the second half, carrying the Seahawks to a win.
WR/TE Report:
- Courtland Sutton (4-38-0/12) being the #1 in Denver is an issue and will be all season, but he is Nix’s guy – he has to be since this offense is devoid of playmakers.
- Devaughn Vele (8-39-0/8) saw a lot of targets late in the game, I don’t think it’s anything to be excited about… just 39 yards on 8 receptions. Not facing Tariq Woolen (3 tackles) will open Sutton up much more, drawing work away from everyone else.
- Josh Reynolds (5-45-0/8) played a fine game, he’s the second look for Nix but we don’t know exactly what it means yet.
- Geno was trying his best to get DK Metcalf (3-29-0/4) involved but Surtain blanketed him. A lot of targets/potential plays were wiped away by Pass Interference calls. Another tough matchup for DK going up against Christian Gonzalez next week.
- Tyler Lockett (6-77-0/7) is always going to be the second look in Seattle as long as he's playing. Lockett is so fundamentally sound he can put together a decent performance any random week.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2-19-0/2) is still terrible, only 2 targets.
RB Report:
- Kenneth Walker (20-103-1, 2 catches for 6-0/3) and Zach Charbonnnet (8-12-0, 2 catches for 29-0/3) are a great duo – Charbonnet the better of the two. I believe Seattle is starting to move towards a 50/50 split with these two.
44 snaps for Walker and 23 for Charbonnett.
- Denver is unsurprisingly using the RBBC strategy, a Sean Payton staple. Javonte Williams (8-23-0, 1 catch) is the true lead.
- Jaleel McLaughlin (10-27-0, 5 catches for 1-0/5) is smaller and shiftier than Williams, especially post-injury Javonte. Because of this McLaughlin is their best back and gets most of the pass game work.
- Rookie Audric Estime (2-14-0) was placed on IR and will be replaced by another rookie, UDFA Blake Watson.
