Moore: Broncos equipped to repeat Chargers’ success against Seahawks

The Broncos will be looking to avenge their blowout Super-Bowl loss against the Seahawks on Sunday. (AP)

I’ll preface this by saying I liked the Buccaneers and 6 Thursday night. They lost 56-14. I also took the Packers and 5 against Seattle two weeks ago. They lost 36-16.

And the Seahawks? When I took them minus-5 last week against the Chargers, they lost 30-21.

So I’m 0-2 in picking Seahawks games against the spread this year. On Sunday, they’re favored by 5 over the Broncos at CenturyLink Field, where they’re 17-1 over the last two years.

And according to the Prediction Machine, with Russell Wilson, the Seahawks are 6-0 against the spread when favored by 7 or fewer at home.

Many signs point to a Seahawks win. Though Denver has supposedly made upgrades to its defense, the Broncos have allowed nearly 800 yards in two games against the Colts and Chiefs. They’ve been particularly susceptible through the air, so even though the Seahawks say they’ll re-emphasize the Beast Mode part of their attack, Pete Carroll’s team will certainly take some shots downfield. Like the Seahawks, the Broncos have struggled with their third-down defense, allowing the Chiefs to convert 11 of 16 last week.

When you’re making a case for the Broncos, you look at what San Diego did to Seattle’s defense with its dink-and-dunk approach and think that Denver should be equipped to do the same thing.

With Wes Welker available this week and the addition of Emmanuel Sanders to go with tight end Julius Thomas, Peyton Manning has plenty of top-line receivers to throw to. And left tackle Ryan Clady, who did not play in the Super Bowl, is back.

But you can argue that the Seahawks shut down Denver’s prolific passing offense in the Super Bowl, why should it be any different now?

I think heat had more to do with the Seahawks’ defensive problems in San Diego than Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates, though they were terrific.

The key for the Seahawks is to get ahead early, by two or three scores. If that happens, Denver will lose its confidence and get that feeling of “here we go again” while fruitlessly trying to rally in a deafening stadium.

The Seahawks don’t want to fall to 1-2 heading into the bye week. But even if they do, they’ll be fine, facing subpar teams in six of their next seven games.

I’m guessing of the two teams, the Broncos have more incentive, seeking redemption from that 43-8 loss in the Super Bowl. It’s human nature – when you’re embarrassed, you want to make up for it, and the Broncos appear to be talented enough to go toe to toe with the Seahawks this time around.

I predicted the Seahawks would go 12-4, and this looks like a spot for the second loss to me.

Prediction: Broncos 27, Seahawks 21

Season record against the spread: 0-2

The Go 2 Guy also writes for SeattlePI.com and KitsapSun.com. You can reach Jim at jimmoorethego2guy@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @cougsgo.