Week 13 - Sunday 3rd December 2006 1:15am

The Seahawks fly into Denver this weekend to renew acquaintances with their former AFC West buddies in a match up now to be screened live on Five where Mike Carlson will renew his love affair with Jerramy Stevens.

When the teams used to meet as Divisional rivals it was at Mile High Stadium but that met the same fate as the Kingdome and a similar surrender to commercialism as the new arena was named Invesco Field.

Playing at altitude can be tough for a sea level team but the associated bad weather problems might be less of a factor. It is forecast to be cold but fine and dry on Sunday which will be in contrast to the Seahawks last game in Seattle which kicked off in a snow storm.

The Broncos are currently not as invincible at home as they were at Mile High in the 80s. They have come a cropper twice this year versus the Chargers & Colts. Mind you they had to score 35 & 34 points to do it.

Can the Seahawks repeat that feat? Based on the 4th Quarter performance versus Green Bay I would have to say yes. Hasselbeck was very rusty in the first three quarters but got back in the groove big time in the end. Oh, Sean Alexander wasn’t bad either.

The Broncos made the decision to bench Jake Plummer this week in favour of Rookie Jay Cutler. Plummer wasn’t happy but when you’re the 28th ranked passer in the NFL then I guess something has to give. Even if Cutler has a stinker the chances are the two Bells could possibly grind out the clock. Expect the Broncos to try & establish a running game early to help Cutler settle in. The rankings of opposing units are very tight but the key to the game is probably going to be if the Hawks jump out to an early comfortable lead & how Cutler will respond to the pressure.
 

On the injury front the Broncos list Javon Walker, Tatum Bell and CB Darrent Williams as probable. Bell was listed as probable last week and ended up being inactive but expect him to split time with Mike Bell this week.

For the Seahawks it will be more of the same with Tobeck definitely out and Engram and Locklear listed as 'game time decisions' but in reality unlikely to play. A Thursday shoulder injury to Jordan Babineaux opened the door for Michael Boulware to return at safety but Babs is listed as probable.

Both teams go into the clash sporting 7-4 records and with differing reasons for optimism. The Broncos no doubt hope this will mark the start of the Jay Cutler era but I wonder if this season will be a little soon to expect him to carry the team to and possibly through the play offs. The Hawks have Hasselbeck and Alexander another week healthier and hope for an improvement on a road record that has been poor so far.

The Broncos start as favourites but Cutler is really the wild card. If the Hawks can bring some pressure and cause a turnover or two then I fancy our chances but for me the game is too close to call.

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