Steve Starr
- Denver is a 6.5-point road favorite over a Seahawks team quarterbacked by Geno Smith
- Russell Wilson recently agreed to a 5-year, $245 million extension with the Broncos
- The first Monday Night Football game of the season kicks off from Lumen Field on September 11 at 8:30 pm ET
You’ll likely spend your entire Sunday glued to the couch, watching all 14 games while crying about your fantasy team. But make sure to save some energy for the Week 1 Monday nighter.
Not only will Joe Buck and Troy Aikman be making their debut on ESPN. Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson will be returning to Seattle to face former coach Pete Carroll and the Seahawks.
Before we check the odds on the game, here’s where you can find the best Super Bowl betting tips and the top betting sites for NFL football in 2022
Seahawks vs. Broncos
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Denver Broncos | -6.5 (-110) | -245 | Ov 42.5 (-105) |
| Seattle Seahawks | +6.5 (-110) | +205 | Un 42.5 (-115) |
Russ vs. Pete
Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll have kept it cordial following the franchise quarterback’s departure this offseason, but these two guys clearly don’t see eye-to-eye. Ciara’s hubby was either sick of his 70-year-old coach insisting on running the ball, or Carroll thought his 33-year-old quarterback’s best days were behind him.
After anguishing in QB hell since Peyton Manning’s retirement, the Broncos jumped at the chance to get Wilson this offseason. And just last week, they handed him a fresh five-year extension worth $245 million. So, what is it? Is Russ a declining asset who needs to be hidden in a run-first offense or is Pete an out-of-touch boomer who took the air out of the ball for no reason? The answer could start to become clear on Monday night.
Pete Carroll finally realizing the Seahawks don’t have Russell Wilson pic.twitter.com/qPf8P24pWw
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) August 25, 2022
Russ vs. Geno
Oddsmakers are clearly on Team Russ, installing Denver as a 6.5-point favorite on Monday night. However, that line might have less to do with Wilson and more to do with his replacement in Seattle, Geno Smith, who won one of the saddest QB competitions of all time against Drew Lock.
The nine-year veteran backup has a career record of 13-21 with 34 touchdown passes and 37 interceptions. While he has DK Metcalf to throw to, fantasy analysts everywhere are fearing the worst for the stud wide receiver and the entire Seahawks offense.
Seahawks vs. Broncos
Could an upset be in the making? Never say never, as this Broncos team has a first-year head coach in Nathaniel Hackett. Their defense may also take a step back after the firing of coach Vic Fangio. Meanwhile, buzz out of Seahawks camp has indicated they may have hit NFL Draft gold with offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas and rookie corners Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant.
Carroll also made big changes to his coaching staff, promoting Clint Hurtt to defensive coordinator and adding former Bears DC Sean Desai as associate head coach-defense.
The Broncos and Russell Wilson have agreed on a 5-year, $245M extension with $165M guaranteed, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/ZcXUgFuXR9
— PFF (@PFF) September 1, 2022
Best Bet
Prime-time games in Seattle took strange and unusual turns throughout the Russell Wilson era, so why should we expect anything to change in his return? We like the Seahawks to cover the 6.5 points in a low-scoring slugfest that will go down to the wire.
Final Score Prediction: Denver 20, Seahawks 16
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
