Thursday Night Football brings the Seattle Seahawks to Denver for a Week 6 matchup with playoff implications for both teams. If you’re looking for player props and game day value, check out the latest FanDuel Sportsbook lines before kickoff.
Seattle is coming off a disappointing 32-29 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, while Denver enters the game after a 23-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Both teams are 3-2, but their paths to victory look different: Seattle must protect the football and keep its passing game productive, while Denver must find ways to pressure Sam Darnold and make life difficult for the Seahawks’ offense.
Here are three predictions to consider for Thursday night.
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba Over 91.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been one of the NFL’s most productive receivers through the first five weeks, and his role in Seattle’s offense makes him one of the most attractive player props on the board.
Smith-Njigba has recorded 583 receiving yards on 37 catches and 50 targets, averaging 116.6 yards per game. He passed for 91.5 yards in four of Seattle’s five games, giving him a strong track record against this number.
Denver’s defense is a challenging matchup, but the absence of cornerback Pat Surtain II makes the assignment more favorable. Seattle should continue to feature Smith-Njigba as its primary receiving option, especially when the offense needs to move the chains on third down.
The main concern is Denver’s ability to disrupt the timing of Seattle’s passing game. However, Smith-Njigba’s target share and production are more worth considering in this number.
The pick: JSN over 91.5 receiving yards.
2. AJ Barner Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+380)
AJ Barner is an intriguing touchdown candidate because of his role in Seattle’s passing game and the potential matchup against Denver’s linebackers.
Alex Singleton is a player worth targeting in coverage, especially when offenses use tight ends to attack the middle of the field. Barner could give Seattle another option in that area, and his red-zone in Barnyard The involvement makes the anytime touchdown market more attractive than a simple bet on receiving yards.
Barner caught 12 passes for 122 yards in five games, averaging 24.4 receiving yards per contest. His season totals don’t make him a high-volume receiver, but touchdown bets are about as much opportunity in scoring situations as overall production.
Seattle can use motion, play-action and formations that force Denver’s linebackers to make tough decisions. If the Seahawks can create a favorable matchup for Barner near the goal line, he has a realistic path to finding the end zone.
The pick: AJ Barner all-time touchdown scorer.
3. Over 41.5 Total Points (-105)
The entirety of the game offers another angle on Thursday night’s matchup. FanDuel lists the total at 41.5 points, with an over-price of -105. Check the live board before placing a bet, as both the number and the price can change.
Seattle entered the game averaging 26.8 points per contest, while Denver scored 19.4 points per game. Those numbers suggest the Seahawks can do most of the scoring work, but the passing doesn’t necessarily require both offenses to produce their season averages.
Smith-Njigba’s production gives Seattle a clear path to moving the ball through the air. If the Seahawks can turn those drives into touchdowns rather than settling for field goals, they could put a lot of pressure on Denver’s offense to respond.
The Broncos, meanwhile, have enough talent to take advantage of short fields or create scoring chances when Bo Nix can avoid negative plays. A couple of explosive catches or turnovers can help push the game further into the count.
There are reasons to be cautious. Seattle’s defense has been strong, Denver’s offense has struggled to produce consistency, and the market has moved lower overall. Passing will depend on Seattle maintaining its offensive production and Denver contributing enough to keep the scoreboard moving.
The pick: Over 41.5 total points (-105).
4. Emanuel Wilson Under 66.5 Rushing Yards (-118)
Emanuel Wilson’s rushing yardage line looks too high as Seattle struggles to establish a consistent ground game. Wilson finished with 61 rushing yards on 20 carries against San Francisco, falling short of that number despite receiving a heavy workload.
Wilson is averaging 50.2 rushing yards per game this season, well below the 66.5-yard threshold. He also hasn’t been consistent each week, recording 14 yards against Washington and 3 against New England before turning in bigger performances against Arizona and the Chargers.
Seattle’s offensive line has struggled to create consistent running lanes, and the Seahawks may need to lean more on Sam Darnold and the passing game to move the ball. Wilson’s workload gives him a chance to clear this number, but he needs the volume and efficiency to get there. Given his season average and Seattle’s inconsistency on the ground, the bottom is worth considering.
The pick: Emanuel Wilson under 66.5 rushing yards.
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