Broncos vs Seahawks over the years

Good morning, Broncos Country!

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If you didn’t awake from your slumber like a kid on Christmas morning, you aren’t human.

The only question now is this: What present will we get from the Denver Broncos?

You know fans will represent as they always do, decked out in orange while pounding out the Rocky Mountain Thunder. Speaking of “Orange Sunday,” this also is our first glimpse at the Orange Rush (Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray). Broncos fans seriously need to get and rock this majestical shirt. In regards to herculean shirts, the Quarter-Mile Club for Trevor Story is one of the coolest you will see. I know it’s not Broncos related, but this is the rare exception.

On the latest MHR Radio Podcast, Adam Malnati and I add to the hysteria of today. You also can listen to my weekly segment with Michael Khlar and Mark Knudson, where I give Broncos Country my key matchup and some predictions for the season. My segment starts at the 24 minute, 30 second mark.

Before these two teams write the first chapter of this season, let’s look back at the history of the rivalry with the Seattle Seahawks, as well as news and notes heading into the game. As I will do throughout the season, I’ll put Twitter threads together on that week’s opponent and turn it into a story. All information is courtesy of the Broncos’ weekly release.

Some of the best plays and accomplishments in Denver history came against the Seahawks. There was John Elway and his epic avoidance of a sack that a resulted in a deep touchdown pass to Shannon Sharpe. And, of course, Terrell Davis eclipsing 2,000 yards rushing (in a season).

• Denver opens its 35th season under Pat Bowlen on Sunday, and 58th (maybe 59th?) overall, against the Seahawks.
• Sunday’s game between the Seahawks and Broncos is the 54th between the two teams (in the regular season). Denver owns a 34-19 all-time record, 13-14 on the road; 21-5 at home. The teams were AFC West Division rivals from 1977-2001.
• The first game between the Seahawks and Broncos was Oct. 2, 1977, in Seattle. Denver won 24-13. The most recent game between the two teams was Sept. 22, 2014, in Seattle, when the Broncos lost 26-20 in the OT thriller.
• The last win for the Broncos at home was Sept. 19, 2010, when they beat the Seahawks 31-14. The last win in Seattle was Nov. 17, 2002, when Denver won 31-9. The last Broncos home loss was Dec. 3, 2006, when they lost 23-20.
• The longest winning streak for the Broncos in this series is six games, from Sept. 8, 1996-Dec. 27, 1998 (remember, the teams were division rivals). The longest winning streak for the Seahawks is three games (done twice), most recently from Dec. 13, 1987-Dec. 11, 1988.
• An interesting note: There have been no shutouts in this series. The most points scored by the Broncos came in a 41-14 win on Nov. 26, 1989, at Mile High Stadium. The most points for the #Seahawks came in their 42-14 win on Dec. 11, 1988, in Seattle.
• The largest margin of victory for the Broncos is 27 points (done twice) and last done on Dec. 1, 1996, in a 34-7 win at Mile High. The largest margin of victory for the Seahawks is 28, in a 42-14 win from that 1988 game in Seattle.
• The most points scored between the Broncos and Seahawks is 71, in a 37-34 Denver win on Sept. 23, 1979, at Mile High. The fewest points scored is 16, in a 10-6 Broncos win on Dec. 20, 1992, at Mile High.
• The Broncos and Seahawks have played twice in the playoffs. We all know what happened in both games, so there is no need to relive them.
• The Broncos are tied for the best opening-game record, 38-19-1, and also owns the longest current winning streak at six games kickoff weekend. Denver is 44-13-1 in home openers and won 17 of the last 18.
• Broncos owner Pat Bowlen can pass former Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis for the fifth most regular-season wins and all-time victories by an NFL owner.
• After he signed as a free agent in the offseason, Case Keenum will become the 20th quarterback in franchise history to start for the Broncos in Week One.
• Miller is one of three players in NFL history to reach double-digit sack totals in six of their first seven seasons. His 82.5 sacks (in his first 100 games) are the fourth most in NFL history (since 1982) for players in their first 100 games.
• Miller currently sits at 83.5 career sacks and needs 2.5 to move into the NFL’s top 50. In terms of the quarterbacks Miller has sacked the most, that would be Philip Rivers with 15. FYI: Tom Brady is third on the list at 7.5.
• Signed by the Broncos as a college free agent in 2011, Chris Harris Jr. is one of five undrafted cornerbacks in pro football history to make three or more Pro Bowls with his original team.
• Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas enters his ninth NFL season ranked third in Broncos history in receptions (629), trailing Rod Smith and Shannon Sharpe, and second in both receiving yards (8,653) and receiving touchdowns (57), trailing Smith.
• Broncos center Matt Paradis is one of three NFL players to play every possible snap from scrimmage during the last three seasons. When you take into consideration he’s been injured, that’s even more remarkable.
• Rookie running back Royce Freeman can become the first rookie running back to start in Week 1 for the Broncos since Terrell Davis Davis in 1995.
• The Broncos have sold out every home game since the beginning of the 1970 season, with the exception of two replacement games played during the 1987 strike (both games were sold out before the strike). Denver has thus sold out 373 consecutive regular-season games. When the postseason is added for the Broncos, the sellout streak reaches 395 games. Needless to say the streak will continue this Sunday and over the course of the season for Broncos Country.

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Broncos Tracks

Mason's Mailbag: Expecting more from the tight ends
The Broncos were below league average in receptions, yardage and touchdowns from the position last year, but with Jeff Heuerman and Jake Butt leading the way, that could change in 2018.

Three Keys to Broncos-Seahawks
It starts with the quarterbacks. On offense, Case Keenum must deliver the same efficient, precise play he has in practice and in the preseason. On defense, the Broncos must contain Seattle's Russell Wilson.

Seahawks Conversation: What Seattle’s blitz package could look like in 2018 - Field Gulls
Throughout the season, Oliver Connolly and Matty F. Brown will be chatting about interesting schematic ideas, trends and other X’s & O’s things of note. This is the first in the series.

Klis List of how the Broncos can beat Seattle | 9news.com
Mike Klis takes a look at 9 key factors for the Broncos to start the season with a win.

Brandon Marshall still reaching to do better on, and off, the field - Denver Broncos- ESPN
The Broncos linebacker has been public about his support of social causes. With the issue still there, Marshall is trying to live up to the ideals.

Broncos' Phillip Lindsay prepared to make impact in NFL debut - Denver7 TheDenverChannel.com
Phillip Lindsay made the Broncos roster. If you think he's satisfied, you don't know the former CU star.

Paul Klee: When Colorado's own Phillip Lindsay scores for the Broncos? Give 'em the Mile High Salute | Sports Coverage | gazette.com
When Colorado’s own Phillip Lindsay scores a touchdown for the Broncos in the No. 30 jersey that Terrell Davis carried to the Hall of Fame, Lindsay should give the Mile High Salute.

The Dynasty That Never Was: Inside the Unraveling of the Seattle Seahawks | SI.com
As they grew into Super Bowl contenders, the Seahawks—especially the Legion of Boom defense—prided themselves on a ruthless internal competitiveness that lifted everyone and was the foundation of an NFL championship.

Seahawks activate Thomas, place starting CB on IR - NFL.com
Days removed from returning to the Seahawks facility from his holdout, the safety was activated to the active roster. Thomas will play Sunday against the Broncos, but it is not known whether he will start.

AFC West Tracks

The Los Angeles Chargers will win against the Kansas City Chiefs - Bolts From The Blue
Jamie Sewell gives you three reasons the Chargers will get a big win over the Chiefs on Sunday.

Chargers have high hopes for season, but open with Chiefs team that has tormented them recently
The Chargers enter their opener Sunday against the Chiefs in a position that feels quite similar to where they were in 2017 - until the games began and their road turned quickly uphill.

Chargers will carve out a role for Antonio Gates vs. Chiefs - Los Angeles Chargers- ESPN
For Chargers tight end Antonio Gates “it's almost like he picked up where he left off.”

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Five things to watch - Arrowhead Pride
Carefully enumerated thoughts about the Week 1 matchup with the team largely favored to win the AFC West.

Game-by-game 2018 Chiefs prediction by Sam Mellinger | The Kansas City Star
KC Star sports columnist Sam Mellinger’s game-by-game prediction for the 2018 Kansas City Chiefs assumes the team will improve as the season goes on ... and struggle with a brutal early schedule.

Why Patrick Mahomes' potential has energized Andy Reid - Kansas City Chiefs- ESPN
Chiefs coach Andy Reid might not come out and say it directly, but those around him see a spring in his step thanks to his new quarterback.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden and Rams coach Sean McVay with striking similarities, downplay mentor connection before season opening matchup - Silver And Black Pride
The Los Angeles Rams caught everyone by surprise last year with their impressive offense and even better defense.

Raiders' Kyle Wilber is leader of rebuilt special teams
Dallas import surprised and flattered to be named captain of his unit

With Khalil Mack's departure, 'it's Bruce Irvin's time' in Oakland - Oakland Raiders- ESPN
Raiders pass-rusher Bruce Irvin is tired of being asked about Khalil Mack and he'll carry a chip on his shoulder into this season.

NFL Tracks

Expect some ugly football in the NFL this weekend - Blogging The Boys
We’ll be seeing preseason type performances but this time the games count.

Week 1 NFL score predictions - Viewers' guide, best games, fantasy outlook, more - 2018
Winners for every matchup. Fantasy nuggets to get you through the weekend. Plus everything you need to catch up on Week 1. It's all here.

NFL: Packers' Aaron Rodgers braces for $321 million collision with Bears' Mack
What an ideal scenario for the Chicago Bears to unveil the new centerpiece of their revived defense: Khalil Mack, meet Aaron Rodgers.

NFL's new wave of young quarterbacks could reshape league's landscape
Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers dominate the headlines for now. But the NFL has had an influx of young passers who could be stars in waiting.

Hue Jackson admits he needs to do his job better – ProFootballTalk
The Browns are 1-31 in Hue Jackson's two season as head coach, so it might go without saying that Jackson needs to do better. But Jackson said it anyway. Jackson acknowledged that if the Browns are going to improve, the Browns' head coach has to improve.

The NFL’s Long-Awaited Next Generation of Stars - WSJ
As the NFL season begins, there’s a fresh crop of prospects with the potential to become the new icons of the league.