The first full day of NFL football in 2024 is finally here, and the Denver Broncos take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1 action.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game today.
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks
- Start time: Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, 4:05 p.m. ET
- Channel: CBS
- Live stream options: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, CBS All-Access
- Radio Stations: KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM, Seattle Radio Network
- Starting QBs: Bo Nix, Geno Smith
- Betting lines:
- Spread: SEA -5.5
- Total: 42
- Moneyline: SEA -225, DEN +185
In his second season as head coach, Sean Payton has torn down the roster after a rough 2023 campaign. Russell Wilson was released, WR Jerry Jeudy was traded to the Cleveland Browns, and Tim Patrick was cut.
Denver ended up selecting quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. After an impressive preseason, Nix easily grasped the starting spot, surpassing Jarrett Stidham and offseason trade acquisition quarterback Zach Wilson.
He still has Courtland Sutton and offseason add Josh Reynolds on the outside to pass to, but they’ll need Marvin Mims Jr. or rookie Troy Franklin to fill in the targets behind them.
Denver took an in-house approach to the defense, re-signing many expiring contracts while bolstering the defense at certain positions. While they retained talent, they added some free agents, signing LB Cody Barton to help man the middle and safety Brandon Jones to help ease the void from releasing Justin Simmons.
QB Geno Smith returns for his third season as Seattle’s starter enjoying a late-career resurgence. While last season wasn’t as electric as his 2022 campaign, injuries to Smith and multiple offense members slowed the unit’s momentum.
With rookie head coach Mike Macdonald in charge following Pete Carroll’s move to the front office in the offseason, the Seahawks look to take advantage of an open window as a solid playoff contender. Seattle’s trio of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba still dominate the WR room.
RBs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet get another season as the Seahawks’ primary backs, but watch out for RB3 Kenny McIntosh, who will make an impact with his limited carries. With some solid protection up front, as long as Smith can play at the high caliber of the last two seasons, this can be one of the more potent offenses in the NFL this season.
Seattle continued to load up the defense, drafting Byron Murphy II with the 16th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They also brought in linebackers Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson to replace the holes created by Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks’ departures. While the linebacker room had to be rebuilt, the defense will look different with Macdonald instilling his defensive game plan.