The Seattle Seahawks gave themselves enough chances to leave Denver with a win. They left with another close loss and familiar questions about an offense that keeps putting the ball at risk. The Broncos defeated Seattle 17–14 in overtime Thursday, October 15, at Empower Field at Mile High. Ja’Quan McMillian intercepted Sam Darnold in the extra period, setting up Wil Lutz’s winning 53-yard field goal. The Broncos improved to 4–2 while the Seahawks dropped to 3–3.
Seattle rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit, but the comeback could not erase three turnovers and repeated protection breakdowns. A defense that kept returning the ball to its offense ultimately watched Denver celebrate.
For the Seahawks, the frustration is how available this game remained. They did enough to recover from a poor first half, then surrendered the possession that decided the result.
Updated October 18, 2026. Gambling disclosure: Sportsbook references are included for editorial context. Betting is restricted to eligible adults where legal. Odds vary by operator and time. Gambling involves risk.
Seahawks vs. Broncos Final Score and Game Breakdown
Seattle scored three points in the first quarter, Denver answered with 14 in the second, and neither team scored in the third. The Seahawks produced 11 unanswered fourth-quarter points before the Broncos won with a field goal in overtime, according to the Mile High Report scoring breakdown.
That progression captures the night’s central problem. Seattle’s defense stabilized long before its offense found enough production to catch up.
Readers following Respect My Region’s NFL coverage have seen how quickly late possessions can change an otherwise competitive performance. Thursday provided another example: Seattle forced overtime, but Denver made the decisive defensive play.
First Quarter: Jason Myers Gives Seattle an Early Lead
Jason Myers opened the scoring with a 55-yard field goal, putting Seattle ahead 3–0. The early advantage held through the end of the quarter.
There were already warning signs, however. Seattle’s opening possession included consecutive sacks that forced a punt, as documented in the Seahawks’ official postgame reactions.
Moving the ball past midfield meant little when negative plays pushed the offense backward. That pattern would follow Seattle throughout the game.
Against a defense capable of generating pressure from several positions, the Seahawks needed cleaner early-down execution and quicker answers. Instead, promising possessions repeatedly became situations in which Denver could attack the quarterback.
Second Quarter: Denver Builds a 14–3 Advantage
The Broncos took control through two sustained touchdown drives. Denver’s official game recap recorded consecutive scoring possessions lasting 16 plays and nine plays.
J.K. Dobbins finished the first with a four-yard touchdown run. RJ Harvey added a one-yard rushing score on the second, helping Denver establish its halftime advantage.
Seattle also lost a possession when Rashid Shaheed fumbled on an end-around. The Seahawks’ account of their offensive mistakes identified that turnover as another missed opportunity in Denver territory.
The Seahawks were creating too many obstacles for themselves. Their defense needed to regroup, while their offense needed to protect possessions long enough to produce points.
Third Quarter: Seattle’s Defense Responds, but the Offense Stalls
Seattle prevented Denver from extending the lead, yet could not immediately capitalize.
A 42-yard completion to Shaheed helped create a scoring opportunity, but the possession ended with Myers missing a 47-yard field goal off the right upright. Mile High Report’s third-quarter recap detailed the missed opportunity and Denver’s continued pressure.
That sequence was especially costly in a low-scoring game. Seattle had generated an explosive completion and reached scoring territory, only to leave without reducing the deficit.
The defense kept the comeback possible. The offense continued making it harder than necessary.
Our read: this was where Seattle needed a more reliable way to finish an ordinary possession. Depending on a late rally placed unnecessary pressure on a defense already doing its part.
Fourth Quarter: George Holani and Rashid Shaheed Help Force Overtime
George Holani’s one-yard touchdown run finally brought Seattle into the end zone. Darnold then connected with Shaheed for the two-point conversion, cutting Denver’s lead to 14–11.
The Seahawks later threatened to move ahead, but Kris Abrams-Draine intercepted a pass intended for Tory Horton on third-and-one from Denver’s 39-yard line. The Broncos’ defensive breakdown documented the takeaway that interrupted Seattle’s late drive.
Seattle still recovered enough to force overtime. Shaheed supplied a 31-yard punt return, and Myers eventually converted a 34-yard tying field goal with three seconds remaining.
The comeback demonstrated resilience. It also required Seattle to overcome another mistake during the very stretch in which it needed its cleanest football.
Overtime: Another Interception Ends Seattle’s Opportunity
Seattle received the ball to begin overtime. On third-and-seven, Darnold attempted to find Shaheed, but McMillian intercepted the throw in Seahawks territory.
Denver converted that short field into Lutz’s winning kick, completing the sequence described in the Broncos’ official defensive review.
That finish made ball security the defining issue again.
The Seahawks did not need an immediate touchdown on the opening overtime possession to maintain a chance. They needed to avoid giving Denver an advantageous starting position.
Instead, the Broncos’ offense inherited a situation that required little yardage to produce the winning points.
Sam Darnold’s Protection and Decisions Both Need Attention
Denver finished with five sacks, 17 quarterback hits and three takeaways. Four of those sacks came on third down, according to the Broncos’ defensive review.
Those numbers help explain why Seattle struggled to sustain offense. Pressure ended drives, lengthened field-goal attempts and repeatedly forced the Seahawks into recovery mode.
Darnold still carries responsibility for protecting the ball. Poor protection and poor decisions can exist in the same game, and Seattle must address both.
Our assessment: the offense needs clearer answers when pressure arrives. That includes protection adjustments, available underneath targets and decisions that preserve field position when a play breaks down.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Gives Seattle a Consistent Target
Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished with 12 receptions for 134 yards, while Shaheed added five catches for 66 yards. Their production supplied much of Seattle’s receiving threat during the comeback.
Smith-Njigba’s performance gave Darnold a dependable place to turn. It could not compensate for possessions ending in sacks or turnovers.
The broader offensive challenge is converting individual production into dependable scoring. Seattle has players capable of winning matchups; Thursday showed how quickly execution elsewhere can erase that advantage.
FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM: How the Result Compared With the Market
FanDuel’s published pregame snapshot listed Seattle as a 2.5-point favorite, with a 40.5-point total. Its moneyline prices were Seattle −142 and Denver +120.
Against those specific numbers, Denver won outright and covered the spread. The combined 31 points finished below the listed total.
For readers following FanDuel, DraftKings or BetMGM, the important distinction is the number attached to the wager. These comparisons describe the cited FanDuel snapshot rather than every sportsbook’s closing market.
Seattle’s comeback extended the game, but overtime produced only three additional points. Denver’s defense remained the decisive factor in both the football result and the game finishing below that published total.
What the Loss Means for the Seahawks
Seattle has now lost three of its past four games, with all three defeats coming by three or fewer points. The team’s postgame assessment identified turnovers, protection and the running game as priorities.
Close margins keep the Seahawks competitive. They also make wasted possessions particularly expensive.
Seattle’s defense gave the offense repeated opportunities to win Thursday. Turning those opportunities into points—and retaining the ball when the game is available, must become more consistent.
What concerns you more after Denver: the protection problems or the late turnovers?
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