The Seattle Seahawks have been in a strange kind of purgatory since their Super Bowl heartbreaker, winning 10 or more games five times in nine years but never threatening to do much except remain useful in a disappointing division. They’re comfortable favorites to open the season against the Denver Broncos , but even with new coach Mike Macdonald, it’s a familiar feeling in Seattle.

Geno Smith is back on a restructured contract, and his return to NFL prominence is an uplifting comeback story. But his resurgence has yielded two straight 9-8 seasons and mediocre team offensive ratings despite the presence of talented wideouts Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf and a terrific young runner in Kenneth Walker III. Lockett was listed as questionable on Thursday’s injury report but participated in practice Friday and is expected to play.

Their defense was brutal in 2023, but an infusion of young talent and the arrival of Macdonald, who just led Baltimore’s defense to a league-leading top spot, offer long-term optimism. In the short term, the Hawks appear destined for another mediocre season. And in the even shorter term, they’ll face a Sean Payton-led Bronco team that has positive vibes thanks to flashes of success last season and a rookie QB.

For all its shortcomings, the Russell Wilson Gambit gave Denver one thing to smile about: a high draft pick to land what they believe is their passer of the future in Bo Nix. Nix’s numbers exploded after his trade to Oregon, and he arrives after throwing for 4,500 yards, 45 touchdowns, and three (!) interceptions last season. Preseason oohs and aahs from pundits, players, and just about everyone in Nix’s field of vision did nothing to quell the hype, and Payton named him the starter without controversy.

Nix isn’t a deep-ball thrower—he topped the power conference quarterback rankings in passes of zero or fewer air yards last year—but his top wideouts are Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds, so it’s not like he has a stable of elite speedsters to target deep. He’s been praised for his quick release and ball security, and Payton’s play-action-heavy preseason offense suggests he’ll lean on Nix’s strengths.

Other than at quarterback, the Broncos are largely unchanged, thanks to the handcuffs on Wilson’s massive dead-money cap hit. Against the stable but disappointing Seahawks, Denver is counting on Nix’s shock to bring just enough new energy to pull off an early upset.

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Denver Broncos vs Seattle Seahawks Odds

How to Watch Broncos vs. Seahawks

• Location: Lumen Field — Seattle
• Time: 4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday
• TV: CBS
• Streaming: Watch Live on Fubo (Save $30)

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(Photo by Bo Nix: Tyler Schank/Getty Images)