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How many times have the Broncos faced the Seahawks to start a season?

By Travis Wakeman

4 Sep 1988: Linebacker Brian Bosworth of the Seattle Seahawks joins in a tackle during a game against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Seahawks won the game, 21-14.
4 Sep 1988: Linebacker Brian Bosworth of the Seattle Seahawks joins in a tackle during a game against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Seahawks won the game, 21-14. /
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The Denver Broncos will kick off the 2022 season on Monday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks, but it won’t be the first time these two teams have met in a season opener. 

Despite being in opposite conferences now, the Broncos and Seahawks have a storied history as rivals.

The Seahawks joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1976 but after just one season as part of the NFC West, they switched conferences and became part of the AFC West. They would spend the next 25 seasons in that division, creating a rivalry with the Broncos.

In 2002, they were reverted back to the NFC West when the league brought about realignment, but of course, the two teams would infamously square off in Super Bowl XLVIII, one of the most forgettable games in Broncos history.

But these teams have played each other in a season opener three separate times. The Broncos have taken two of those three battles. Let’s take a look back at these games.

Seahawks at Broncos: September 13, 1987

This was the first time the Broncos played in a game following a crushing loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXI that concluded the 1986 season. They were expected to be one of the best teams in the AFC again in 1987 and they started out that way.

The Seahawks came to Mile High Stadium and the Broncos ran right through them, winning the game 40-17.

John Elway threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers. The defense also made three interceptions en route to the convincing victory.

Seahawks at Broncos: September 4, 1988

The Seahawks finished the 1987 season strong and came into 1988 ready to challenge the rest of the division. They started the year off by winning against the Broncos on the road, taking the season opener 21-14.

Elway threw two interceptions in this game and the Seahawks were able to control time of possession by rushing for 178 yards in this game while the Broncos gained just 76 yards on the ground.

The Seahawks went on to win the AFC West for the first time that season.

Denver Broncos, Russell Wilson
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks scrambles under pressure in the fourth quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 9, 2018, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Seahawks at Broncos: September 9, 2018

This was one of the more competitive games in the history between these two teams.

It was the debut of Case Keenum as Broncos quarterback and he went blow for blow with Russell Wilson in this game as both quarterbacks topped 300 yards passing on the day. Both quarterbacks also threw multiple interceptions but it was a couple of veterans that helped the Broncos pull out the victory.

Emmanuel Sanders caught 10 passes for 135 yards in the game and Von Miller had three sacks as the Broncos opened the season with a big 27-24 victory.

Next. Predicting outcome of every Broncos game in 2022. dark

The Broncos lead the all-time series 35-21. This will be the fourth time the teams have faced each other in a season opener but it will be the first time that happens in Seattle.

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