Broncos Edge Defending Champion Seahawks 17-14 in Overtime
Wil Lutz drilled a 53-yard field goal in overtime to give the Denver Broncos a 17-14 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night in Denver, The Guardian.
Denver moved to 4-2. Seattle fell to 3-3.
The loss stings a little more for Seattle. The Seahawks arrived as the defending Super Bowl champions, winners of their second title last season, and left with their second defeat in five days.
Overtime barely had time to breathe. Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian stepped in front of a Sam Darnold pass at Seattle's 43-yard line, picking off the throw to hand Denver short field position. Lutz did the rest.
Seattle had forced the extra period with a late push. Running back George Holani scored from a yard out with 5:41 left in the fourth quarter, then Darnold found Rashid Shaheed for a two-point conversion, a play from the 2-yard line worth two points instead of a kick, to cut Denver's lead to 14-11.
Drama followed. Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine intercepted Darnold at the Denver 31 with 1:25 left. Denver went three-and-out, meaning three plays and a punt, in just 28 seconds. Shaheed answered with a 31-yard punt return to Seattle's 46, and Jason Myers tied it with a 34-yard field goal with three seconds left in regulation.
Denver built its lead early. J.K. Dobbins and rookie R.J. Harvey both rushed for second-quarter touchdowns, and that 14-0 edge held until the fourth.
The final numbers were strange for a winner. Denver finished with just 168 yards of total offense. Bo Nix completed 17 of 27 passes for 107 yards. Dobbins managed 41 yards on 17 carries, while Harvey added three catches for 31 yards.
Seattle moved the ball but never finished. Darnold went 27 of 51 for 278 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught 12 passes for 134 yards. Emanuel Wilson led the ground game with 52 yards on 14 carries.
What makes this stand out is how little Denver needed. One takeaway in overtime. One long kick. That was enough to beat the champs at home.
