Denver vs. Seattle should have been the ideal Super Bowl LX matchup. Instead, the Broncos, playing shorthanded without their QB1 Bo Nix, were eliminated in the AFC Championship by New England, a team that became clearly outmatched when they met the Seahawks. It likely would have made for a much more entertaining and competitive clash than the snooze fest offered by the 29-13 Seahawks win.
After all, Nix and the upstart Broncos had taken on and beaten all comers, including the Buffalo Bills, in convincing fashion before Nix went down with a knee injury.
Now, in Week 6 of the 2026 NFL season, a less than mighty Seahawks team flies into the Mile High City to take on a Broncos team that just might have the upper hand.
The Odds Favour Seattle, But Not by Much
Both teams enter Thursday night's clash with identical 3 and 2 records, but the oddsmakers have given Seattle the edge. The Seahawks opened as approximately 2.5 point favourites, with the over/under sitting around 42.5 points. Lines can vary by sportsbook, but the market expects a close, relatively low scoring affair.
Denver has struggled to find offensive consistency, and the short turnaround associated with Thursday Night Football will not make life any easier. Still, playing at home in front of a Mile High crowd gives the Broncos a legitimate opportunity to turn the tables on the defending Super Bowl champions.
Seattle is coming off a painful 32 to 29 loss to San Francisco, a game in which four turnovers proved costly. The Seahawks have shown they can move the football, but mistakes have become an unwelcome part of their early season narrative.
Losing Kenneth Walker III Has Hurt Seattle
One of the biggest changes for Seattle this season has been the departure of Kenneth Walker III. The Super Bowl LX MVP left in free agency to join Kansas City, leaving the Seahawks searching for a reliable replacement in their backfield.
The situation has become even more complicated with Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL. Seattle has been forced to rely on Emanuel Wilson and George Holani, neither of whom has established the same level of consistency that Walker brought to the offence. Wilson and Holani also committed costly fumbles against San Francisco last week.
That is a significant concern against a Denver defence capable of generating pressure and forcing mistakes. If the Broncos can limit Seattle's running game and make Sam Darnold carry the offensive load, the home side could have the advantage.
Sam Darnold or Bo Nix: Who Is the Better Quarterback?
This is where things get interesting.
Darnold has seven touchdown passes and five interceptions through five games, while Nix has thrown for 942 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Neither quarterback has been flawless, but Nix has done a better job protecting the ball.
Sam has experience and a championship pedigree, but Seattle's early season struggles have exposed some of his limitations under pressure. Nix, meanwhile, remains the quarterback Denver believes can lead the franchise into contention.
The numbers do not tell the entire story, and Seattle has the more dangerous receiving threat in Jaxon Smith Njigba, who has already surpassed 580 receiving yards this season. Denver will also be without star cornerback Patrick Surtain II, making that matchup particularly concerning.
Still, we will take Nix. He has the mobility, competitive edge and ability to make plays outside the pocket that could prove decisive in a tight contest.
The Cover's Pick: Denver to Cover and Win
Seattle deserves to be favoured, but the Seahawks have not looked invincible. Losing Walker has disrupted their running game, turnovers have undermined their offence, and Thursday night presents a difficult road test.
Denver needs a strong start, a disciplined defensive performance and a few timely plays from Nix. If the Broncos can accomplish those three things, they have every opportunity to hand Seattle another defeat.
The Cover's prediction: Broncos win by a field goal.
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