Seahawks vs. Broncos Betting Preview and First-Half Line

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Game Time Decisions

Seattle Favored Over Denver as Offensive Concerns Shape Thursday Night Matchup

Thursday night’s matchup between Denver and Seattle presents an intriguing battle on a short week. Denver earned a road win against the Chargers, although the result appeared to reflect the Chargers’ offensive struggles more than anything Denver accomplished on that side of the ball.

Seattle, meanwhile, will be disappointed after doing everything it could to give its home game against the 49ers away. Now Seattle must travel to Denver and deal with the altitude. The total has fallen to 40.5 and could close below 40, while Seattle enters as a 2.5-point road favorite.

Denver’s home-field advantage is not as significant as it was in September because teams are now better conditioned. Seattle also appears to be the better team. If Sam Darnold’s late pass to Jackson Smith and Jigba had been completed, Seattle likely would have won its previous game. A victory could have pushed this line to Seattle minus three, four or even five, creating some additional value at the current number.

Denver has not put together two complete halves of football this season. The team has regularly sleepwalked through the first half before mounting a second-half comeback. With the halftime line close to even, Seattle in the first half could be the better approach.

This game is also an important test for Denver in the middle of October. If the Broncos are going to be taken seriously in the AFC West, they need to prove it with the defending Super Bowl champions coming into their building. Kansas City currently looks like the class of the division, and Denver can no longer rely on the idea that it will eventually figure things out.

Denver’s offense remains a major concern. Davis Webb was brought in despite questions about his inexperience, but the play-calling duties were later taken away from him. The offense looked worse with Sean Payton calling plays in the latest game than it did with Webb. There are only so many games a team can win with defense in the AFC West.

Denver could improve during the second half of the season, as it did last year, but the offense is shaky. The Broncos do not have a strong running game or a deep group of receivers. Waddle has been better than expected in Denver, but outside of one strong performance, his games have largely been mediocre.

The Raiders could fall back, while the Chargers may become a strong covering team during the second half of the season. They may not win consistently, but their run of failing to cover games is approaching historic levels and could begin to change.

Kansas City’s position atop the division is strengthened by Kenneth Walker, who could become a historically impactful free-agent addition. His arrival was compared to Randy Moss joining New England. Walker may have been the most impactful signing of the offseason, which is unusual for a running back.

Walker has been remarkably impressive, producing long runs of 75, 50 and 40 yards. Bejon Robinson and Gibbs may be more dynamic, but Walker belongs in the same conversation based on his current form. He looks better than he did with Seattle, raising questions about the decision to let him leave.

Wilson has done a good job for Seattle, and Charbonnet is expected to return, but the decision not to pay Walker remains puzzling. Any team could have signed him, and Kansas City was the one that did. Given the current state of the AFC West, the division odds are difficult to dispute.