Seattle Seahawks (7-4) Denver Broncos (7-4)
Opening Line: Denver – 3
Sunday, 8:15 pm Eastern
NBC

The Sunday night game on NBC is the first ever start for Denver quarterback Jay Cutler. Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan made the change from Jake Plummer to Cutler earlier this week and it will be interesting to see how the rookie fares. What’s really interesting is the betting publics’ faith in Cutler with most money at SBG Global on the Broncos.

Denver (7-4) faces the Seattle Seahawks (7-4) at Invesco Field on Sunday night. Cutler, the 11th overall pick in the draft last April, hasn't played since the preseason, but Shanahan believes the rookie will help the offense. ''There's a lot of pressure on a first-year quarterback, no question about it,'' Shanahan said. ''I think this kid can handle it. I think he gives us the best chance to win.''

Cutler was impressive in the preseason, throwing for 561 yards with a league-best 108.3 passer rating, but that was the preseason. ''Preseason is preseason,'' Cutler said. ''I don't put a lot of stock in it. This is a different animal. We're playing for real now.''

Denver is a 3 point home favorite with a total of 40 at SBG Global.

Back-to-back losses to division rivals have dropped Denver two games behind the AFC West-leading Chargers and into a second-place tie with the Chiefs. The Broncos haven't lost three straight since Oct. 19-Nov. 3, 2003.

Tatum Bell, the team leader with 649 rushing yards, is expected to start Sunday after missing three of the past four games with turf toe. With Bell sidelined, the Broncos managed just 38 yards rushing against Kansas City. The Broncos' defense also has slipped lately, allowing 12 touchdowns in the past five games after giving up only two in the first six.

Seattle is looking a lot better now that Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has returned and running back Shaun Alexander is back to normal. Hasselbeck had three second-half touchdown passes in a 34-24 victory over Green Bay on Monday night. Alexander finished with 201 yards on a career-high 40 carries.

Seattle improved to 4-0 this season with both Hasselbeck and Alexander in the lineup. Sunday's game will be the first meeting between these former AFC West rivals since the Broncos' 31-9 victory on Nov. 17, 2002. Denver has won six straight matchups at home and 12 of the last 13. Seattle hasn't won in Denver since Dec. 10, 1995.

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