The Denver Broncos walk into a short-week matchup with the Seattle Seahawks carrying a long list of problems, and the timing could hardly be worse. Injuries keep stacking up, the offense still looks stuck in neutral, and now they run into one of the NFL’s better defenses.
That’s a rough setup for Denver, especially against a Seattle group that plays fast, disciplined football and trusts every piece to do its part. Since 2023, that kind of defense has given the Broncos’ offense fits, and there’s little reason to think this game will suddenly look clean.
In fact, it projects to be another slog. Denver may not do much through the air or on the ground, and the final yardage total should land near the bottom of its season output, only slightly ahead of what the Broncos produced in the opener in Kansas City.
The Broncos’ offense also may never truly settle into a red-zone drive on its own. The one exception could come if the defense hands them a short field. One takeaway inside Seattle’s 20-yard line could be the only reason Bo Nix and company get a red-zone snap at all.
That kind of defensive help is very much in play. Seattle’s offense has been vulnerable with the football, particularly its running backs, and Denver has a chance to capitalize. The Broncos could force two fumbles and recover both, with one of those recoveries setting up that lone scoring opportunity for the offense.
Up front, Denver should have chances of its own against Sam Darnold. He’s been sacked nine times in four games, though five of those came against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Even so, the Broncos have the personnel and the variety to create pressure, and names like Bonitto and Allen should be in the mix if the secondary can hold long enough for the rush to arrive.
Darnold will try to stay ahead of that pressure with quick throws, so the Broncos’ defensive backs will need to do their part to keep the pocket game from turning into a steady rhythm for Seattle.
All of that points to a busy night for the kicker. Seattle is giving up just 21 points per game, eighth-fewest in the league, and has allowed only 10 touchdowns this season. With Denver’s offense struggling to finish drives, Lutz should be asked to do a lot, and he should come through more often than not.
In Other News...
Bo Nix Admits The Mental Battle Behind Denvers Stalled Offense
Bo Nix is still working through a tricky stretch as the Broncos try to get their offense moving again, and the issue sounds as much mental as physical. The rookie quarterback has talked about the challenge of finding the right blend of assertiveness and caution, a balancing act that matters even more when a team is trying to climb out of an offensive rut.
Denvers struggles have come with defenses shrinking the field and making the Broncos earn everything underneath, while the ground game has not given Nix enough help to keep opponents honest. He has looked more aggressive late in games, which only adds to the sense that the answers are there, even if the process of getting to them is still a work in progress. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Offensive Warning Signs Are Getting Harder To Ignore
The Broncos offensive issues keep piling up, and the latest rough showing against the Chargers only added to the unease around a unit that has been too inconsistent for comfort. Bo Nix has been part of that concern throughout the season, with his play swinging from drive to drive, while Wil Lutz and RJ Harvey have also had their own stretches that have left Denver searching for steadier production.
Jaylen Waddles recent form has been another layer to watch, especially because the drops and the frustration around him have become harder to overlook outside of the Rams game. For a team trying to find any sense of rhythm on offense, the bigger question now is whether these are isolated slumps or signs of something more troubling taking hold. [Read more 🡒]
Bo Nix Faces A Growing Broncos Question Sean Payton Can't Ignore
Bo Nixs first season has already given Sean Payton plenty to evaluate, and the Broncos coach has made it clear he wants more conviction from his rookie quarterback. Nix has been managing the offense, but the downfield element has lagged behind, and the numbers reflect it. Through this point in the season, he is averaging 5.8 yards per attempt, a figure that places him 28th in the league and helps explain why the passing game still feels like it is searching for another gear.
Paytons message has been consistent: be more aggressive and let it rip. For Denver, that is the real hinge point now, because the Broncos need to know whether Nix can grow from a steady starter into the kind of quarterback who changes defenses rather than simply works around them. The wider AFC West picture only adds to the pressure, with teams around the division always looking for ways to upgrade and force answers, which makes Denvers own answer at quarterback feel even more important. [Read more 🡒]