Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos 2018: Prediction, Betting Odds, Preview For NFL Week 1

If the Seattle Seahawks hope to contend in the 2018 NFL season, they’ll have to do it with largely a new group of players. No NFC team has been more successful over the last six years, but most of the stars that helped make that possible won’t suit up for Seattle when they visit the Denver Broncos in Week 1.

The Legion of Boom is no more. Cornerback Richard Sherman was cut in the offseason and safety Kam Chancellor was forced to retire. Safety Earl Thomas is still under contract, but his holdout lasted the entire preseason and it's unknown how effective he might be if he plays Sunday.

Seattle’s defensive front also took a hit when the team traded Michael Bennett to the Philadelphia Eagles and Cliff Avril was released after suffering a career-threatening neck injury. All of that adds up to 16 total Pro Bowl appearances for the Seahawks from 2012-2017 that won’t be in uniform for the team’s season opener.

That’s why Seattle finds themselves as an underdog ahead of their matchup in Denver. According to the latest betting odds at OddsShark, the Broncos are favored by three points and the over/under is 43.

The 2018 Seahawks could very well end up like the 2017 Broncos. Denver, like Seattle, had gone six straight years without having a losing season, only to go 5-11 for a last-place finish in the division last season.

While still remaining one of the league’s best units, Denver’s defense did take a step back, though most of the team’s problems stemmed from its quarterbacks. Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch combined to give the Broncos worse production from the game’s most important position than probably any team other than the Cleveland Browns.

The Broncos made a significant upgrade by signing Case Keenum in the offseason. The veteran isn’t likely to match his production from a year ago, though it’d be hard to call what he did over 15 games a fluke. Keenum threw for 22 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 98.3 passer rating, leading the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship Game. Even being an average quarterback with this Broncos’ defense could make Denver a serious threat to win the AFC West.

The Seahawks still have one of the league’s best quarterbacks in Russell Wilson. We’ll see what he can do behind one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines and with a group of weapons that has some question marks. Left tackle Duane Brown will give Wilson more protection than he had for much of last year, though Defensive Player of the Year candidate Von Miller and Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite Bradley Chubb could still make life very difficult for the quarterback.

Tight end Jimmy Graham is gone and wide receiver Doug Baldwin has admitted he’s dealing with a knee injury that will linger all season long. Chris Carson is the starting running back ahead of first-round pick Rashaad Penny, who is recovering from a broken finger.

When the Broncos are good, they’ve got one of the best home-field advantages in the NFL. Even during last year’s miserable season, Denver still managed to post a .500 record at Mile High Stadium. Seattle is 4-7-1 against the spread in their last 12 road games, according to OddsShark.

Prediction: Denver over Seattle, 26-16