Scouting Report
PLAYER MATCHUPS
PASSING PC-PA Yds. TD. Int.
Rick Mirer, Seattle 53-96 615 3 4
John Elway, Denver 82-146 982 4 2
RUSHING Att. Yds. Avg. TD
Chris Warren, Seattle 54 221 4.1 1
Rick Mirer, Seattle 10 35 3.5 0
Terrell Davis, Denver 51 226 4.4 3
John Elway, Denver 14 73 5.2 0
RECEIVING Rec. Yds. Avg. TD.
Brian Blades, Seattle 17 209 12.3 1
Joey Galloway, Seattle 13 173 13.3 0
Shannon Sharpe, Denver 16 249 15.6 0
Terrell Davis, Denver 16 132 8.3 1
INJURIES
Seahawks: WR Ricky Proehl (leg) is out; S Tony Covington (ankle) is doubtful; DE Antonio Edwards (knee) is questionable; T Ray Roberts (ankle), DE Michael Sinclair (groin), LB Dean Wells (elbow) are probable.
Broncos: LB Elijah Alexander (shoulder), DE Dan Williams (knee) are out; CB Ronnie Bradford (knee) is doubtful; WR Anthony Miller (knee-ribs), C Tom Nalen (knee) are questionable; S Steve Atwater (toe), Shane Dronett (thigh), WR Mike Pritchard (knee), G Mark Schlereth (knee), TE Shannon Sharpe (ankle), LB Dave Wyman (knee) are probable.
NOTABLE
Seahawks fans might exercise caution when consider ing reading these notes because they reveal a distinct Broncos advantage - historically, at least.
The Hawks have dropped five straight to Denver. And they are the only NFL team to have lost every game after a bye week - standing 0-6 under similar circumstances.
Denver has never lost a game against Seattle in October (going 7-0).
Beyond that, Elway has been traditionally devastating against the Hawks. You might recall two years ago in the Kingdome when he shrugged off a point-blank blitz by Terry Wooden and somehow fired an impossible scoring strike to Shannon Sharpe.
Elway has more 300-yard passing games (5) against the Hawks than any other team and more touchdown passes (28) than against any other opponent. His single-game high in yards (432) came against Seattle. And in 22 games he’s started against the Hawks, Denver has won 14.
On the other hand, in the AFC, only Pittsburgh has been penalized more than Denver.
ANALYSIS
The Seahawks can win this one. In fact, they had better,
with a tough Oakland team next on the docket and a 1-4 start a possibility.
How do they do it?
1) They have to generate a pass rush, but at the same time not allow Elway to escape the pocket. Some teams “spy” Elway with their nickel middle backer. Not a bad idea.
2) Beat up the Broncos receivers. Dented Denver receivers couldn’t shake free last week. Jamming them at the line should prove disruptive to the Broncos offense.
3) Sustain a rushing attack. Reverting to a more conventional two-back look much of the game against Cincinnati, the Hawks got 109 yards out of Warren and 279 in passing from Mirer. The Broncos give up an average of 4.4 yards per rush. Warren, then, should be the difference between a win and a loss.