Seahawks vs. Broncos: TV Schedule, Radio and Online Live Streaming Info

The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos are looking to correct a handful of wrongs in Week 3 of the NFL preseason—and it starts with current quarterback controversies.

Both teams are engaged in hellacious quarterback battles despite coaches and management ensuring job security for Tarvaris Jackson and Kyle Orton. Most fans within each franchises fanbase feel the position should be a wide-open competition, with Charlie Whitehurst and Tim Tebow potentially taking the reins for the season opener.

Tebow has been embarrassed by the Broncos organization after being relegated to No. 3 on the depth chart behind first-round bust Brady Quinn. Jackson has simply been an embarrassment to the Seahawks organization—he looks even more ineffective than he did with the Minnesota Vikings, if that is even possible.

Week 3 is the one preseason game that matters most. This is when starters play a majority of the game, generally three quarters worth of action, to prepare for the regular season opener. This is the dress rehearsal, while Week 4 will see the backups dominate the game. It will be an exciting weekend of NFL action highlighted by the controversies in Seattle and Denver.

Where: Invesco Field at Mile High 

When: Saturday, August 27, 9:00 PM (EST)

Watch: KING 5 in Seattle, KUSA 9 in Denver; NFL.com Online Preseason Streaming Package ($19.99); replay on NFL Network on August 28 at 2:00 AM (EST) and on August 29 at 1:00 PM (EST)

Listen: 97.3 KIRO FM in Seattle, KOA (850 AM) in Denver

Seahawks’ Key Addition

Seattle made a major splash in free agency by bringing in offensive threats Sidney Rice and Zach Miller and new quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. Still, Robert Gallery will make the biggest addition. Once deemed a first-round bust, Gallery is one of the better run-blocking offensive guards in the game.

He will bring much-needed intensity to this emerging offensive line, with Tom Cable as offensive line coach. Pete Carroll wants to control the clock by running the ball with Marshawn Lynch (the beast) and the offensive line will be the key. This is a young offensive line with Russell Okung, James Carpenter and John Moffitt, so Gallery’s veteran experience and leadership will be invaluable to this offense. 

Broncos’ Key Addition

Denver made a splash in the draft, but not in free agency. Veteran runner Willis McGahee will prove to be the Broncos’ key addition; he will keep third-year runner Knowshon Moreno healthy by splitting carries.

New head coach John Fox always wants to run the ball and is used to running committee backfields. McGahee will see a ton of run in his first year and will be used early and often to control the clock and take pressure off Kyle Orton and the aerial attack. McGahee will be used primarily as the goal line back and will also be used on third down to capitalize on his solid receiving skills.

Seahawks’ Biggest Loss

Matt Hasselbeck may be in the twilight of his career, but he’s far superior to Jackson. Tarvaris is not a starting NFL quarterback—I wouldn’t even want him as my backup. I know Pete Carroll is enjoying a youth movement, but the quarterback position is too important to toy with. Hasselbeck is the face of this franchise and could have kept this team atop the division instead of casting a monstrous shadow of doubt over it like Jackson does.

Carroll and the franchise will regret letting Hasselbeck and his experience walk away. They needed to keep him for his ability to run an offense, toss accurate passes and control the pace of the game. With an improved offensive line, he would have been able to stay upright in the pocket.

Broncos’ Biggest Loss

Denver didn’t lose too many impact players, but any time you lose a defensive lineman, the team takes a hit. I understand John Fox runs the 4-3 defense, but Jamal Williams is a space eater no matter how you slice the cake. The Broncos’ defensive line has been hit often with injuries in recent years, so having him there as a backup DT would have been beneficial despite the switch in scheme.

What They’re Saying

Seattle Times’ Danny O’Neil reports that there isn’t a quarterback controversy in Seattle. Carroll “isn’t in the mindset at all” to make the switch from Jackson to Whitehurst.

“I love that Charlie played well, and I think we need to give Tarvaris a chance to play well, too, with the guys around him. I felt like he was out there fighting for it, and he did a good job of competing,” said Carroll per O’Neil.

Whitehurst continues to outperform Jackson in the preseason and helped lead the Seahawks to the playoffs last year. Sooner or later, Carroll should get in that mindset.

It has yet to be determined when, but Denver Post’s Mike Klis reports that Tebow is expected to receive more playing time in one of the next two preseason games. Orton is expected to play into the second half this week, which wouldn’t leave much for both Quinn and Tebow.

According to Klis, regarding the preseason totals to date, Fox said, “Kyle has had 19 passes, Brady's had 30 and Tim's had nine. So in fairness to Tim, we need to get that total up whether that's this week or next week.” 

If I had to guess, Tebow will receive most of the playing time in Week 4.

Seahawks Player to Watch

It’s all about Jackson. He needs to put together a strong showing after being abysmal the previous two games. Pete Carroll and the Seahawks have given this guy everything possible to succeed. He no longer has to worry about a superstar like Brett Favre taking his job, so it’s now or never. Seattle has an opportunity to put a stranglehold on the wild NFC West division, but not if he keeps up this atrocious pace.

Broncos Player to Watch

You may think its Orton or Tebow, but it’s Moreno. He is in the best shape of his life and is the key to the Broncos’ offensive success. If he can pull a DeAngelo Williams and erupt in his third season as a difference maker, the Broncos have an opportunity to make a run at the AFC West division title. Fantasy owners may hate that McGahee will take touchdowns, but Moreno is the man who can take them into the red zone.

Seahawks’ Position Battle

Of course it’s about the quarterback. Carroll can tell me there isn’t a competition here, but management and fans will be yearning for Whitehurst if Jackson falters again.

Whitehurst has been accurate this preseason, while it seems Jackson can’t even get the ball out of his hand. Denver’s pass rush is improved with Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller, so this is a key matchup for Jackson to prove himself worthy.

Broncos’ Position Battle

Sorry, Tebow maniacs, but Orton is the clear-cut starter. Still, the backup position is important because as we saw last year, Orton isn’t safe from being pulled.

Tebow and Quinn are in a deadly battle for the backup position and they probably only have six quarters of preseason action left to win the job. They will only have the second half to work with this week, so each man will have to work their magic quickly and effectively in limited action.

Key Storyline

It’s as clear as a sunny day: Both teams have issues at quarterback. Every quarterback on each roster is being looked at with a magnifying glass in the hot spotlight and they all must step up.

Jackson and Orton will have more than one-half of action to prove they are worthy of their jobs. Both have been handed the keys to the car, but neither deserve it. It’s about time they prove their worth—or else these two teams will fall to the bottom of their divisions.

Prediction

Broncos, 20-13

For more exhilarating NFL analysis, check out Bleacher Report’s dedicated NFL page! Also check out Bleacher Report’s dedicated Seattle Seahawks page and Denver Broncos page.

For more analysis on the Seahawks vs Broncos, dive into Bleacher Report Contributor Josh Truelove's 5 Things to Watch in the Preseason Matchup.

For more analysis on the Seahawks, take a look at Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Charlie Todaro's take on Tarvaris Jackso n.

For more analysis on the Broncos, dive into Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Adam Odekirk's  5 Things Denver Must Improve Before Week 1.

Brandon Galvin is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist and Syndicated Writer. 

Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals	Thursday, August 25	7:00 PM
Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles	Thursday, August 25	7:30 PM
Washington Redskins at Baltimore Ravens	Thursday, August 25	8:00 PM	ESPN
Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts	Friday, August 26	8:00 PM	CBS
St. Louis Rams at Kansas City Chiefs	Friday, August 26	8:00 PM
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills	Saturday, August 27	7:00 PM
New York Jets at New York Giants	Saturday, August 27	7:00 PM
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers	Saturday, August 27	7:30 PM
Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Saturday, August 27	7:30 PM
Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers	Saturday, August 27	8:00 PM
New England Patriots at Detroit Lions	Saturday, August 27	8:00 PM	CBS
Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans	Saturday, August 27	8:00 PM
Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings	Saturday, August 27	8:00 PM
Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos	Saturday, August 27	9:00 PM
San Diego Chargers at Arizona Cardinals	Saturday, August 27	10:00 PM
New Orleans Saints at Oakland Raiders	Sunday, August 28	8:00 PM	NBC
NFL Preseason Week 3 Schedule	Date	Time (ET)	TV