NFL's Gregg Rosenthal has the Seahawks defeating the Broncos 18-17 in this weeks Monday Night season opener. "Led by a sneaky-deep group of pass rushers, the Seattle defense has a chance to hurry Russell Wilson into mistakes. The Broncos' run defense doesn't match up well against Rashaad Penny, but this pick is more about Carroll living out his fantasy of slowing down his former quarterback."
Bleacher Report's entire football staff made their week one picks and all of them chose Denver to win heavily over Seattle 38-17. "Wilson will head back to Seattle with a strong supporting cast that includes wideouts Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, plus two running backs who can catch out of the backfield in Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon III. With little faith in Geno Smith to lead an upset, all of our panelists chose the Broncos with great confidence."
CBS NFL's Will Brinson is choosing the Seahawks to defeat the Broncos in a 21-17 win as he feels Coach Pete Carroll is out to prove himself without Russell Wilson especially against him this Monday Night. "I think it's a bigger motivational matchup for Pete Carroll, who just sent Russ packing in a trade to the Broncos and who would LOVE to let people know Seattle can still win without Russ in town. It won't be easy, but none of the Seahawks games this year will be "easy" -- I'd bet anything Carroll wants to muddle every game this season, turning them into low-scoring slogs. Think 2010 and 2011 Seahawks games when you picture what we'll get from Seattle this year. "
FanDuel's Devon Platana gives his top 3 reasons why the Seahawks will defeat the Broncos in week 1 of the NFL Season. "The Seahawks are a tight-knit unit that's more than capable of pulling off a shocker or two. Pete Carroll is one of the top coaches in the league for a reason and if he can find holes in the Broncos to exploit, an upset win is within the realm of possibility."
NBC Sports Writer Matt Weyrich is expecting the Hawks to win as he will find it uncomfortable for Russell Wilson to settle into his first game with his new team against his former coach, and fans that will bring even more energy considering the circumstances. "Russell Wilson is getting little-to-no time with his new teammates before having to return to Seattle, the team that shipped him to Denver after 10 seasons and eight playoff berths together. The Seahawks will look to play the role of spoiler on their own turf, something this Geno Smith-led squad might be more capable of than critics are giving them credit for."
The Seahawks and Broncos will meet on Monday Night Football at Lumen Field. Take a look back at photos from past games played between the two teams.
Seattle's Louis Clark (84) brings in a pass for a seven yard gain in the fourth quarter of Sunday, Oct. 23, 1989 game against Denver in Seattle. Defending for the Broncos is Steve Atwater. Denver won in overtime 24-21. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Jim Kiick (33) of the Denver Broncos is brought down by Terry Beeson (58) and Dave Brown (22) of the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter in Seattle, Wash., Oct. 3, 1977. Denver won 24-13. (AP Photo)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80) is caught in a crush between Denver Broncos linebackers Bob Swenson, Joe Rizzo and Randy Gradishar during first half action in Denver, Oct. 1, 1978. (AP Photo)
A swarm of Denver Broncos take down Seattle Seahawk's Dan Doornink in the first quarter of a game in the Kingdome in Seattle on Jan. 2, 1982. Clockwise are Denver Broncos Larry Evans (56), Randy Gradishar, Aaron Kyle, Seattle Seahawk Ron Essink, Broncos' Barney Chavous, Rulon Jones and Tom Jackson. (AP Photo/Dave Ekren)
Seattle Seahawk running back Curt Warner leaps over a pile of players as he gains yardage against the Denver Broncos in the Kingdome at Seattle, on Dec. 25, 1983. Warner gained 99 yards on 23 carries as the Seahawks beat the Broncos in their NFL wildcard game 31-7. (AP Photo/Jeff Larson)
Seattle's Dan Doornink (33) is upended by Denver's Rick Dennison (55) and Jim Ryan, right, after one of Dorrnink's receptions in Seattle on Dec. 15, 1984. Denver won 31-14. (AP Photo/Dave Ekren)
Denver Broncos defensive end Rulon Jones (75) tries to beat a block by Seattle Seahawks tackle Ron Essink (64) during an NFL game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colo., Oct. 20, 1985. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 13-10 in overtime. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)
The Denver Broncos defense tries to block a field goal by the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL game in Denver, Oct. 26, 1986. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 20-13. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Terry Taylor (20) defends a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Sam Graddy (83) during an NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 13, 1987. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 21-20. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)
Quarterback John Elway (7) of the Denver Broncos in unable to hold the ball as he is tackled by Rufus Porter of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of their NFL game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 1988, Seattle, Wash. Porter also recovered the fumble on the play. Seattle beat Denver 42-14. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Derrick Fenner (44) of the Seattle Seahawks is pulled down after a short gain by Steve Atwater (27) of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 23, 1990. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)
Denver Broncos running back Gaston Green (28) is stopped by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Rufus Porter (97) during an NFL game in Denver, Sept. 15, 1991. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 16-10. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)
Kicker John Kasay (4) of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with teammate and holder Rick Tuten (14) after Kasay's overtime game-winning field goal in Seattle, Dec. 1, 1992. The Seahaeks won against the Denver Broncos 16-13. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Seattle Seahawks kick returner Jon Vaughn (22) returns a kick during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos in Denver, Oct. 31, 1993. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 28-17. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) drops back to hand the ball to teammate Leonard Russell (42) against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 9, 1994, Seattle, Wash. Elway scored in the closing minute of the first half to lead Denver to a 16-9 win over Seattle. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)
Denver Broncos Shannon Sharpe (84) comes down with a John Elway pass after being hit by Seattle Seahawks' Carlton Gray (26) in the first quarter of the game in Seattle on Oct. 1, 1995. The pass was complete for a seven-yard gain. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis, right, is pulled down from the side by Seattle Seahawks Darryl Williams in the second quarter of the Broncos' 34-7 victory in Denver's Mile High Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 1, 1996. (AP Photo/Bryan Kelsen)
Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (30) is wrapped up by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Chad Brown (94) during an NFL game in Seattle, Sept. 7, 1997. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 35-14. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)
This is a Oct. 11, 1998 photo of Seattle Seahawks running back Ricky Watters during their game against the Denver Broncos in Seattle. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shawn Springs, right, intercepts a pass in the end zone in front of Denver Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey in the second quarter in Denver's Mile High Stadium Sunday, Dec. 19, 1999. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Seattle Seahawks safety Jay Bellamy (20) is upended as he is tackled by Denver Broncos quarterback Gus Frerotte (12) after Bellamy picked off a Frerotte pass during the first quarter at Mile High Stadium in Denver on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2000. (AP Photo/Kevin Higley)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander (37) heads past Denver Broncos' Lee Woodall for a second-quarter touchdown run Sunday, Oct. 14, 2001, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Denver Broncos quarterback Brian Griese has a pass blocked by Seattle Seahawks' Chad Eaton during the second quarter in Seattle Sunday Nov. 17, 2002. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) breaks a tackle attempt by Denver Broncos linebacker Ian Gold (52) during a football game in Denver, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006. Seattle beat Denver 23-20. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck drops back to pass against the Denver Broncos during a football game in Denver, Sunday, Sep. 19, 2010. Denver beat Seattle 31-14.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette catches pass over a Denver Broncos defender during a football game in Seattle, Sunday, Sep. 21, 2014. Seattle beat Denver 26-20.
Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson hurdles a Denver Broncos defender during a football game in Denver, Sunday, Sep. 9, 2018. Denver beat Seattle 27-24.
