Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos Predictions and Player Props: Will DK Metcalf Play a Major Role?

Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos Predictions and Player Props: Will DK Metcalf Play a Major Role?

The first Monday Night Football of the season is here, and the matchmakers did not disappoint with this matchup. Russell Wilson will make his first trip back to Seattle in week one in a road game against the team that traded him in the offseason. Wilson now hopes for a postseason run with a new team, taking a page out of Matthew Stafford's book. Surely Pete Caroll knows how to prepare his defense for Wilson, as they have been together for the past decade since Wilson joined the league. Can Pete Caroll coach his team to cover as +7 home dogs? Maybe, but that's not what I am here to answer today. This is a props article, so let's get into some props.

Seahawks vs Broncos Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: September 12, 2022
• Game Time: 8:15 pm ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN/ABC

Seattle Seahawks vs Denver Broncos Odds

• Spread: Broncos -6.5 (-105)
• Total Odds: Under 43.5 (-110)
• Moneyline Odds: Broncos (-270)

Click here for Seahawks vs Broncos odds

Seattle Seahawks vs Denver Broncos Player Props

2U Pick: DK Metcalf Over 55.5 Rec Yds (-110) (Bet $110 to Win $100)

This line may seem high with Geno Smith under center, but it is still too low. No one loves DK Metcalf more than Geno Smith. When Russ went out last season, and Smith played those 3.5 games for him, Smith and Metcalf had a crazy connection. In those four games, Smith went 17-21 with 251 yards and four touchdowns to Metcalf. That's 62 yards per game, but he didn't even play a full four. DK Metcalf has played in five games with Smith at quarterback total in his career, and he passed 55 yards in all but one, which was a blowout against the Jaguars last season where the Seahawks ran the clock out most of the game. Many people have been writing off the Seahawks with Smith at quarterback, but there is still hope for the Seahawks.

The Broncos have injury problems on the defensive line, and Rashaad Penny is expected to have his fair share of touches, which means the secondary may have to cheat up a bit against Seattle to help control the rushing attack. I think this will be amplified by Denver's confidence in their secondary against Smith, but this will leave one-on-one opportunities for Metcalf, and we know how he does in those spots. The Broncos are ranked 20th overall in defensive DVOA and 21st in passing DVOA, and with the spread where it is, Seattle may be down in the second half and need big passing plays to stay in the game. Metcalf is the best bet for those types of plays and has shown he can help Geno Smith shine. Smith actually didn't do that bad as a backup coming in midseason, as he went 1-2, and both losses were by a field goal against two teams over .500. Now, he has had an entire offseason to prepare and improve, and he has proven that he likes to go to Metcalf first every time.

1U Pick: DK Metcalf Anytime TD (+195) (Bet $100 to Win $195)

This line is probably this high because Geno Smith is the quarterback, but as I explained above, that doesn't mean Metcalf will have a bad game. When Geno Smith played those 3.5 games when Russ got injured last year, he threw five total touchdowns in those games. Four of them were to DK Metcalf. In the five games Metcalf has played with Geno Smith overall, he has a touchdown in four of them. The Broncos are favored in this game for their offense, not their defense. Smith should still get on the board with a few touchdowns in this game, and I fully expect Metcalf to be his first look every time in the red zone like history has proven. This line at almost +200 is too good to pass on.

1U Pick: Courtland Sutton Anytime TD (+155) (Bet $100 to Win $155)

The big question this year is who will be targeted more between Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. Hell, even the books don't know. Both receivers are within just five yards of each other on season totals for receiving yards, as Sutton is set at 900.5 and Jeudy is at 905.5. However, Wilson loves to burn cornerbacks and hit his targets deep. That favors Sutton in this spot. Sutton was 10th in the NFL last season with a target distance of 15.8 yards on average, while Jeudy was only around 10.5 yards. Sutton is set to be the deep target for Wilson, and this Seahawks secondary is awful. They ranked 31st in passing yards allowed last season, and it doesn't appear that they will be any better this season. It is not too far off to expect Wilson to take at least a few deep shots to Sutton in this game, especially in front of Seahawks fans in his old stadium. Russ is one of the best quarterbacks in the league at airing the ball out downfield, if not THE best, and Sutton is the go-to guy for those plays. This is a great price considering Russ is going up against a questionable and young secondary. Take Sutton to score.

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