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Broncos seek payback Sunday at Seahawks
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 9/21/2014  at  5:34:00 AM
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DENVER BRONCOS (2-0)
at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-1)

Kickoff: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Line: Seattle -5, Total: 48.5

The Seahawks host the Broncos Sunday in what is likely the most anticipated game of the NFL regular season.

Here is the BetDSI Sportsbook betting preview for this matchup:

This is a rematch of last year’s Super Bowl in which Seattle embarrassed Denver on the national stage by a score of 43-8 despite being an underdog in the contest. The Broncos are coming off a 24-17 victory over the Chiefs to improve to 2-0 on the season, but the Seahawks was upset 30-21 on the road versus the Chargers last week to fall to 1-1. Denver made a lot of offseason changes in order to deal with the defense that Seattle exposed in that February meeting. QB Peyton Manning will likely have WR Wes Welker back from his suspension and the Broncos’ offensive line is healthier in this year’s meeting than it was in the Super Bowl. The Seahawks are 14-2 ATS after gaining six or more yards per play in their previous game over the past three seasons, and are also 7-0 ATS as a home favorite of seven points or less in that time. The Broncos, however, are 5-0 ATS in a road game where the total is between 45.5 and 49 points over the past three seasons. RB Marshawn Lynch (back) is probable for Seattle in the game and S Earl Thomas (leg) is listed as questionable. Denver is still missing LB Danny Trevathan, who is out at least six weeks with a fractured tibia.

Who will reign supreme in this Super Bowl rematch? For the answer, connect to NFL Best Bets for all the StatFox Experts picks throughout the 2014 regular season and playoffs. During the 2013 campaign, the experts combined for a 52% ATS success rate in NFL Best Bets, highlighted by Brian's 60% ATS mark (41-27-6). Scott had a 54% ATS accuracy (36-31-3) on NFL Best Bets, while Gary was 53% ATS (26-23-3). Scott also thrived with his NFL Totals, finishing at 56% (40-31), capped off by a perfect 5-0 run in the postseason. Brian started the 2014 season with a perfect 6-0 record on NFL Totals.

The Broncos will have revenge on their minds as they head to Seattle to take on the defending Super Bowl champs. In that Feb. 2 meeting, Peyton Manning threw for 280 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. The Broncos’ running game combined for just 27 yards and their defense was a laughing stock. Denver, however, has addressed a number of positions in the offseason and just beat the Chiefs 24-17 to improve to 2-0. The season is young, but the Broncos are allowing just 93.5 rushing yards per game (10th in NFL) and will be keying in on stopping Marshawn Lynch. Seattle relies heavily on its running game and head coach John Fox knows that he must slow Lynch down in order to have a chance of winning. What really hurt this team in the Super Bowl, however, was turnovers. The Broncos had four of them in that game and Peyton Manning knows that he must take much better care of the ball in this one. Through the first two games of the season, Denver has not committed a single turnover. The return of WR Wes Welker could be huge for this offense, as he had eight receptions for 84 yards in the Super Bowl defeat.

The Seahawks have another chance to display their dominance against the Broncos on Sunday. The game, however, comes after a rather lackluster performance against the Chargers, where they fell 30-21 as 5-point road favorites. Their defense was somewhat exposed as they allowed Philip Rivers to throw for 284 yards and three touchdowns. They also allowed 101 rushing yards despite the Chargers heavily featuring the pass. Seattle will need to do a much better job against the Broncos. Denver will certainly be looking at the film to see just how it will be able to exploit CB Richard Sherman and the Seahawks "Legion of Boom" secondary the same way that Rivers did. The Chargers used the tight end position frequently, targeting Antonio Gates seven times. The Broncos should feature Julius Thomas frequently after Gates hauled in seven passes for 96 yards and three touchdowns. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson enters this game on a high note, as he has thrown for 393 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions this season. He was outstanding in the Super Bowl as well, completing 18-of-25 passes for 206 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT.


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