Seattle visits Denver at Empower Field at Mile High on Thursday at 8:15 p.m. Eastern on Prime Video. Both teams are 3–2. Denver beat the Chargers 23–17 last Sunday; Seattle lost 32–29 to San Francisco.
Reported facts: quarterbacks and availability
Sam Darnold and Bo Nix are the expected quarterbacks. Seattle receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has 37 catches for 583 yards and seven touchdowns through five games. The Seahawks' final injury report gives Smith-Njigba and defensive lineman Leonard Williams no game designation after ankle issues during the week.
Seattle has ruled out linebackers Drake Thomas and Chazz Surratt and running back Zach Charbonnet. Tyrice Knight is set to replace Thomas. Denver cornerback Pat Surtain II and safety Talanoa Hufanga are out with ankle injuries; cornerback Riley Moss is questionable with a rib injury. Final inactive lists will settle the remaining availability questions.
ISR analysis: pressure and coverage are connected
Denver's secondary changes matter beyond the individual matchup with Smith-Njigba. Extra help toward one receiver can change who handles an underneath route or a running back leaving the backfield. Seattle's opportunity depends on protection lasting long enough for Darnold to identify that adjustment.
The other side of the ball has its own replacement question. A new inside-linebacker combination has to communicate through motion, play-action and changes in formation. Nix does not need every play to be explosive for that communication to be tested repeatedly.
Third down is a useful checkpoint. Seattle's official preview lists its offense at 29.8% and Denver's at 33.8%. The more revealing sequence starts earlier: a sack or penalty can create a situation that makes the third-down percentage look like a separate problem.
Factors to watch
- Moss' final status and Denver's replacement coverage assignments.
- How Seattle protects while trying to involve Smith-Njigba.
- Knight's role against Denver's motion and underneath passing.
- First- and second-down gains that keep either quarterback out of obvious passing situations.
Market snapshot and source check
Source: Draft Kings odds displayed by ESPN’s game page, checked October 15, 2026, 7:41 a.m. EDT. Displayed line: SEA -2.5; total 40.5. This is a timestamped source snapshot, not a closing-line claim or a betting recommendation. Scheduled starters and availability may change before the game.
