Bo Nix faces steep challenge in 1st NFL start as Broncos open season vs. Mike Macdonald's Seahawks

SEATTLE (AP) — Rookie Bo Nix did his part through the offseason and in training camp to win the starting quarterback job for the Denver Broncos.

The reward? His first game will be played in one of the most challenging environments in the NFL against a defensive scheme no one has seen before.

Good luck, kid.

“Seattle’s a good team. They have a good defense returning (and) a lot of good players with a new scheme. It’ll be interesting to see what they come out and play,” Nix said. “I think they’re going to be very well coached and they’re going to be talented. It’s going to be a hostile environment, but it will be fun. It’ll be a good first game.”

Nix’s debut is one of many interesting storylines for Sunday when the Broncos travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks.

The last time Denver visited Seattle two years ago, it was another highly anticipated debut for a Broncos quarterback. But the first game of the Russell Wilson era in Denver ended up defining most of his time with the Broncos – a disappointing performance and a frustrating outcome.

Seattle won that night and continued to overall win the trade that sent Wilson to Denver and landed the Seahawks a bevy of draft picks. But both teams have undergone massive makeovers since that Monday night game that opened the 2022 season.

Denver is in the second season of its overhaul under Sean Payton and has handed the QB position to Nix in the hopes of washing away the problems of the two seasons with Wilson. Nix made such an impression on his teammates, he was voted an offensive captain. It marked the first time since Floyd Little in 1967 that a Broncos rookie enters the season opener with a “C” on his jersey.

“You get a young player like Bo Nix, there are certain skill sets he has (and) strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully we build on the strengths and then really minimize the things maybe that a young player might face to open up the start of the season,” Payton said.

Seattle has also faced massive change, with Pete Carroll being let go and Mike Macdonald hired to take over as the youngest coach in the NFL. Many of Seattle’s pieces are the same, but the system is dramatically different.

“You really just have to focus on executing your stuff the best you possibly can and make them beat you throwing your fastball,” Macdonald said. “That’s been the message to the guys. We’re going to be running our stuff from now until whenever.”

The changes in Seattle have created mixed expectations for what the season could be. Externally, the Seahawks are viewed as a .500 team with BetMGM Sportsbook setting the team’s over/under win total at 7½.

Internally, there is a quiet sense of confidence. The Seahawks like the fact they’re being undervalued with very little buzz about them. There’s no questioning the skill position talent on the roster. The unknowns rest around the offensive line and how quickly Seattle’s defense can improve from last season.

One of the big unknowns with Seattle is exactly what its offense will look like under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. The schemes used during the preseason were very basic and Seattle’s offensive starters played only one series in the final week.

While Grubb’s offenses in college at Washington were highlighted by a downfield, explosive passing game that helped turn Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze into first-round picks. But Seattle wide receiver DK Metcalf thinks it’ll be a different aspect of the offense that will prove to be the most important.

“The first offensive meeting that we had, Ryan Grubb said, ‘All right guys, I know we had explosive players, but we’re going to run the ball,'” Metcalf said.

Patrick Surtain II became the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history with his four-year, $96 million extension he signed this week.

Surtain has Pro Bowls and All-Pro honors on his resume, but Payton wants him to get more interceptions. He has picked off seven passes in his first three NFL seasons and the Broncos jettisoned ball-hawking safety Justin Simmons in the offseason.

One of the strengths of the Seahawks is expected to be their secondary, especially if Riq Woolen can rebound from a disappointing second season and look more like the burgeoning star of his rookie campaign.

Devon Witherspoon seems poised to be a breakout star in Macdonald’s defense and the back end is solid with safeties Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins and K’Von Wallace.

Wilson may be playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Broncos are still feeling the ramifications of the trade that turned out to be such a lopsided deal in favor of the Seahawks.

Wilson signed with Pittsburgh for the veteran’s minimum of $1.21 million. That means the Broncos are on the hook for the remaining $37.89 million of his 2024 contract. Plus, their split saddled the Broncos with a record $85 million in dead cap charges this season and next.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates with wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) after Metcalf scored a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton walks on the field as players warm up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Bo Nix faces steep challenge in 1st NFL start as Broncos open season vs. Mike Macdonald's Seahawks

Bo Nix faces steep challenge in 1st NFL start as Broncos open season vs. Mike Macdonald's Seahawks

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix sits on the team bench during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

NEW YORK (AP) — The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards are over, with “Shogun” claiming the top drama prize and “Hacks” winning best comedy.

The hosts, father-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy, opened the show Sunday night. They won Emmys at the 2020 awards for “Schitt’s Creek.”

“Shogun,” “The Bear” and “Baby Reindeer” were favorites going into the night. “Shogun” emerged with the top drama prize and “Baby Reindeer” snagged the limited series trophy. “Shogun″ extended its lead for most wins by a show in a single season, collecting 18 Emmys this year.

But “Hacks" emerged as the top comedy series, denying “The Bear” a comedy series repeat.

The Emmys are back in their traditional mid-September spot after a single strike-delayed edition in January.

The show began at 8 p.m., Eastern time, and is airing on ABC from the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

Here's the latest:

“I’m blessed with all the people around me who helped me make it happen. I kind of just feel a bit overwhelmed right now. I wasn’t expecting this,” Richard Gadd said backstage after his three wins for “Baby Reindeer.” “I’m just so glad that the show has touched the lives of so many people, and the Academy have acknowledged it in this way. It’s the greatest night of my life. What can I say?”

Gadd also initially declined to answer a question about the $170 million defamation lawsuit Netflix is facing for the show, but then spoke to its impact. The lawsuit comes from the woman who claims to be the inspiration for the series, which is based off of Gadd’s life and experience with a woman who stalked him.

“It’s easy in this day and age to focus on the negatives,” he said before saying the show has driven some viewers to donate to sexual assault and stalking-focused charities and has done “phenomenal things worldwide for so many people.”

Hiroyuki Sanada is the first Japanese actor to win the Emmy for best actor in a drama.

“I am beyond honored to be here with amazing nominees,” he said. “‘Shogun’ taught me when we work together, we can make miracles. We can create a better future together.”

Sanada received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Anna Sawai is the first Japanese actor to win best actress in a drama. The actor, who is a first-time nominee, was tearful throughout her speech.

“I was crying before my name was announced. I’m a mess today,” she said.

“This to all the women who expect nothing and continue to be an example for everyone,” she added.

“Shogun” also won best drama series.

John Oliver, who won scripted variety series for "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,'' said he was ‘honestly’ happy to get the cue to wrap up when he mentioned his dog during his acceptance speech.

“I’m not well versed in sincerity, as a British person and as a comedian, so I didn’t really want to get upset and thankfully, whoever was on that board, I think said, ‘You can’t carry this off’ and walked me straight into a joke. So, I’m very, very grateful that they gave me the parachute so I could avoid my feelings once more. But yeah, we had a great dog, and we had to say goodbye this week, and it’s brutal,” he said backstage.

In his acceptance, Oliver dedicated his Emmy to his recently deceased dog — and “all dogs.” He quarreled with the play-off music in a bleeped exchange.

Lamorne Morris, star of “Fargo,” is taking home his first Emmy award on his first nomination.

The “New Girl” star was clearly flustered as he accepted the award, saying he has a poster of fellow nominee Robert Downey Jr. in his house and asked him to sign it.

“My beautiful daughter, Lily. I love you. I told you I would do it. You’ve always doubted me,” he joked.

The breakout star from Netflix’s most recent season of “Bridgerton,” Nicola Coughlan added an Artists4Ceasefire red pin to her glittering off-the-shoulder gown. Coughlan has been outspoken in supporting Palestinians and calling for a cease-fire.

Actors across the award season have been wearing the Artists4Ceasefire red pin with a hand holding a heart to demand a cease-fire in Gaza and a release of the Israeli hostages.

Ahead of the premiere of the 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” on Sept. 28, cast members from the sketch show’s storied history have gathered for an unforgettable reunion.

Former members Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Seth Meyers joined current regular Bowen Yang onstage.

The segment leans into the January Emmys’ nostalgia-laden programming, which included Tina Fey and Amy Poehler presenting an award in the style of SNL’s famed “Weekend Update,” along with the casts of “Cheers,” “Martin” and other hit shows reuniting.

Jessica Gunning, who haunts as stalker Martha on “Baby Reindeer,” accepts the Emmy for her performance from a group of actors who have portrayed iconic villains in a fitting pairing. She got emotional as she thanked Richard Gadd, the star and creator of the series.

“I tried so many times to put into words what working on ‘Baby Reindeer’ meant to me and I fail every time,” she said. “It really means a lot. So, thank you, reindeer.”

“Today, a Republican vice president would never attack a woman for having kids. So, as they say, my work here is done,” Candice Bergen wryly said before presenting the lead actress in a comedy series award.

She was referring to her Murphy Brown character being attacked by then-Vice President Dan Quayle for being a single mom.

Her subsequent “meow” got a big laugh and applause from the audience, including Jon Stewart.

For more on this year’s Emmy Awards, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/emmy-awards

Richard Gadd accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for "Baby Reindeer" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Hiroyuki Sanada accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "Shogun" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Anna Sawai accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for "Shogun" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Hosts Eugene Levy, left, and Dan Levy speak during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)