Seattle Seahawks vs Denver Broncos Picks and Predictions September 8th 2024

Mike Macdonald Makes Seahawks Debut as Broncos, Rookie Bo Nix Come to Town

Two years ago, the Denver Broncos kicked off their season with Russell Wilson at the helm in a dramatic return to Seattle. Fast forward to 2024, and while Wilson has moved on, the Broncos return to Lumen Field with a new face under center: rookie quarterback Bo Nix. It’s a fresh start for Denver as they face a revamped Seattle Seahawks team under new head coach Mike Macdonald.

Bo Nix: Denver’s New Hope

The Broncos have high hopes for Bo Nix, their first-round pick from Oregon. Nix steps in as the 14th starting quarterback for the Broncos since Peyton Manning retired after leading Denver to a Super Bowl win. The 24-year-old rookie follows in the footsteps of legends, becoming the first rookie QB to start for the Broncos since John Elway in 1983—proving just how much faith the franchise has in him.

Nix brings valuable experience from his college days, having started 61 games at Auburn and Oregon—an NCAA record for most starts by a quarterback. His preseason performance, completing 23-of-30 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns, was enough to earn him the starting role and team captain honors, making him the first Broncos rookie captain since Hall of Famer Floyd Little in 1967.

“It’s a privilege and an honor,” Nix said about being named captain. “I don’t take it for granted.” While Nix shined in college, he never managed to win in Seattle during his time at Oregon. Facing a hostile crowd at Lumen Field, head coach Sean Payton acknowledged the challenge ahead. “It’s going to be loud, but Bo’s faced tough environments before,” Payton said, comparing it to Nix’s rivalry games at Washington.

Seahawks Under New Leadership: Mike Macdonald Takes the Helm

The Seahawks are entering a new era under Mike Macdonald, the NFL’s youngest head coach at 37 years old. After a successful run as the Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator, where his unit led the league in sacks, points allowed, and takeaways last season, Macdonald is ready to bring his aggressive style to Seattle.

Seattle fans are eager to see how Macdonald’s defensive schemes, which thrived in Baltimore, will translate to a Seahawks defense that’s hungry to dominate once again.

Offensive Overhaul Under Coordinator Ryan Grubb

The Seahawks didn’t just make changes on defense—they revamped their offense too, bringing in Ryan Grubb as offensive coordinator. Grubb, who was instrumental in leading the University of Washington to a national championship appearance, is known for his aggressive, downfield play-calling.

Fans can expect the Seahawks to push the ball down the field with Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, while running back Kenneth Walker III adds a dynamic threat out of the backfield.

Health and Key Matchups

Both teams come into Week 1 relatively healthy. The Broncos have no major injuries heading into the game, while the Seahawks will be without linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and tight end Pharaoh Brown (foot).

What to Watch For

This season opener is packed with intrigue, as Bo Nix makes his NFL debut in one of the toughest environments, Lumen Field. On the other side, Mike Macdonald will debut his aggressive defense, while Ryan Grubb’s high-flying offense looks to make an early statement.

The Broncos are banking on their rookie quarterback to lead the way, but Nix will face a huge test against a fired-up Seattle defense. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are looking to establish themselves as a force in the NFC West with fresh coaching and new schemes on both sides of the ball.

Fans can expect an intense, high-stakes battle in this Week 1 showdown, with both teams aiming to make an early mark on the 2024 season.