Broncos Stumble Against Seahawks, Miss Potential Game-Winning 64-Yard Field Goal

The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos duked it out at an absolutely electric Lumen Field on Monday Night Football, with the Seahawks scratching out a narrow-as-could-be 17-16 win. Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson fought hard in his debut against his former team, but couldn't overcome 12 penalties for 106 yards and two goal line fumbles in the third quarter. The Broncos missed a 64-yard field goal attempt in the game's final 20 seconds, and the Seahawks completed the upset.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith came out slinging in his debut as the team's opening day starter, completing his first 15 passes in a fantastic first half to go up 17-13 at the break. He cooled down in the second half, leading three scoreless drives and letting the Broncos back in the game, but the Seahawks defense hung tough in the red zone, forcing two fumbles and a field goal in goal-to-go situations to eventually seal the win.

As for Wilson and the Broncos, they'll likely kick themselves for letting this game slip through their fingers. The passing attack was explosive, accounting for 330 net yards on 44 dropbacks, and the run game was effective, tallying 103 yards on only 20 attempts, but inopportune penalties and missed chances deep in Seahawks territory stifled drive after drive. Overall, the Broncos outgained the Seahawks 433 yards to 253, but head coach Nathaniel Hackett's decision to go for a long field goal on 4th and 5 in the game's final minute proved costly. Kicker Brandon McManus missed the 64-yard attempt, and the Seattle fans went home happy.

Looking ahead to Week 2, the Denver Broncos will have a chance to redeem themselves when they host the Houston Texans, and the Seattle Seahawks go on the road to face a San Francisco 49ers looking to bounce back from their late-game collapse against the Chicago Bears.