Sharp NFL Picks for Monday Night Football: Breaking Down Broncos vs. Seahawks Week 1 Showdown

Monday Night Football is nearly upon us! For Week 1’s MNF showdown, the Denver Broncos will be taking on the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.

We have three picks for this matchup — here are the sharp bets from OddsJam to lock in now!

Broncos vs. Seahawks Monday Night Football Sharp Picks

Monday, Sept. 12 | 8:15 p.m. ET

Rashaad Penny Anytime Touchdown | +160 at DraftKings

The Seahawks backfield is likely going to give bettors and fantasy football players some headaches this season. Following a massive breakout season for former first-round pick Rashaad Penny, Seattle opted to draft running back Kenneth Walker in the second round of spring’s NFL draft.

Penny did not begin the 2021 season as the starting back for the Seahawks. In fact, he was anointed the job late in the year when the team was far out of playoff contention, paired with injuries at the position. He then exploded for 671 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns in the final five games of the year.

The former first-round selection will handle starting duties this Monday. Pete Carroll’s offensive philosophy has always been a ground-and-pound scheme. This was true with an elite passer like Russell Wilson. One can only imagine how much they might run the ball with Geno Smith under center.

DraftKings has this selection at +160 odds, which I believe is very high for Seattle’s starting running back in Carroll’s scheme. Former starter Chris Carson is no longer in the picture and the aforementioned Walker is dealing with an injury, leaving him questionable for the game. It’s Penny’s show on Monday.

Broncos vs. Seahawks Over 45 Points | -105 at DraftKings

There are many (myself included) who believe the Seahawks will have an abysmal season. The loss of Russell Wilson cannot be overstated as he continuously carried mediocre rosters to playoff contention.

Taking the over here isn’t so much of a belief in Seattle’s ability to put up their half of the 45 points, but rather Wilson’s ability to put up points for the Broncos.

Last year was the first season in which Wilson missed an extended period of time with an injury. He rushed back to the field and clearly was not ready to go. When his thumb injury healed, however, the Seahawks offense was clicking. Wilson’s company scored 30+ in four of their last six games to close the season.

When Wilson is healthy, as proven by the end of the 2021 season, he can put up points like few can. Denver’s solid complement of Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams should help Wilson put up similar numbers to his days in Seattle.

On Seattle’s end, D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett should make enough plays to put up a solid number of points.

Broncos -6.5 | -110 at DraftKings

I would virtually run to the sportsbook line to place this bet before the line moves to -7.

The Seahawks are going to be one of the worst teams in the NFL and I believe this line isn’t higher because of the sentimental value of Russell Wilson returning to Seattle.

The Broncos are a much better team than the Seahawks and will be debuting a star quarterback for the first time since the Peyton Manning era. While I do believe this may be a close game in the first half, look for Wilson and his patented deep passing ability to take over this game in the third quarter.

The Seahawks offensive scheme always felt like it limited Wilson’s ability. While other teams like Kansas City, Baltimore and Arizona were creating offensive schemes surrounding the dual-threat ability of their quarterbacks, Seattle never truly did. The first and second down runs to set up a 3rd-and-long for Wilson to bail them out were apparent every year. The Broncos will not hold Wilson back.

Taking this line now at -6.5 ensures the Broncos winning by a touchdown cashes your bet.