The Seattle Seahawks visit the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football in Week 6, with both teams at 3-2 and looking to boost their playoff chances as the regular season approaches its one-third mark.
Seattle Seahawks (3-2) @ Denver Broncos (3-2)
The first game of Week 6 pits two sides looking to strengthen their playoff credentials. The Seahawks lost to the 49ers last week, whilst the Broncos beat the Chargers, having lost to the 49ers the previous week.
The Seahawks, sitting second in the NFC West, have also lost to the Commanders in Week 3, having beaten the Patriots, Cardinals and Chargers. QB Sam Darnold has completed 63 of 98 passes for 755 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions, something he will need to improve on for the Seahawks to retain the Lombardi Trophy. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been the star of the show for the Seahawks, with 37 receptions for 583 yards and seven touchdowns. He was limited in practice earlier this week with an ankle injury, but has been cleared to play against Denver. RB Emanuel Wilson has 73 carries for 251 yards and two touchdowns, as well as five receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown.
The Broncos, who are third in the AFC West, have lost to the Chiefs as well as the 49ers, beating the Jaguars, Rams and Chargers. QB Bo Nix has completed 97 of 162 passes for 942 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. RB J.K. Dobbins has 229 yards on 64 carries and a touchdown. WR Jaylen Waddle has 18 receptions for 204 yards and one touchdown. Denver’s secondary will be without safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who have both been ruled out.
Who wins and why?
The scoring figures point towards Seattle. Seattle are ranked 8th for points scored per game (26.8), but the Broncos are ranked 13th for points allowed per game (22.2). The Seahawks allow an average of 21 points per game, whilst Denver only score an average of 19.4 points per game.
Having Smith-Njigba available is a major boost for Seattle against Denver’s depleted secondary. Outside of Smith-Njigba, the other three WRs (Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp and Tory Horton) have a total of 24 receptions for 279 yards and two touchdowns.
The issue for Denver seems to be getting the ball to Jaylen Waddle. In the last game against the Chargers, Waddle had just two receptions for 19 yards. It may not matter too much against a 0-5 team, but with a defence as strong as the Seahawks, it will be important for Nix to find his main receiver more.
Prediction – I can only see a Seahawks win in this one. I think the defence will be too much for the Broncos. With Smith-Njigba cleared to play, I’m backing Seattle to win by 10 points.
Read more of our NFL coverage in Ron’s Week 5 early-games preview.
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