The NFL regular season is finally here and Russell Wilson is finally ready to make his on-field debut for the Broncos as they head to Seattle to take on his old team in Week 1. Stick here for live updates and analysis as the Broncos take on the Seahawks at Lumen Field.
Live updates
Fourth quarter updates
Colossal debacles (9:45 p.m.) Their pre-snap operation and red-zone execution were colossal debacles. Their frequent penalties on defense gifted free yards.
And it almost didn’t matter.
The Broncos nearly overcame all of those mistakes, but never led the Seattle Seahawks here Monday night and lost 17-16 when Brandon McManus’ 64-yard field goal was wide left with 15 seconds remaining. Read the full game story. — Ryan O’Halloran
Questionable decision (9:22 p.m.): What had a better chance of success? Russell Wilson on 4th-and-5 at midfield? Or Brandon McManus from 64 yards? Head coach Nathaniel Hackett opted for a latter, and it will forever be a head-scratcher. — Matt Schubert
Rough loss (9:15 p.m.): The Broncos just lost to, basically, a 2021 version of the Broncos. Much, much work to do. — Sean Keeler
McManus’ miss (9:09 p.m.): Brandon McManus attempted a 64-yard field-goal attempt that would have given Denver the lead late in the fourth quarter. Instead, it goes wide left. — Joe Nguyen
Vic Fangio style clock management here from the Broncos.
— Matt Schubert (@MattDSchubert)
Sack city (8:50 p.m.): Bradley Chubb’s redemption season is off to a good start, as the outside linebacker burned Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross for two sacks, including one that forced a fumble, in the second half. — Kyle Newman
Red-zone woes (8:46 p.m.): Denver is 0-4 converting red zone trips into touchdowns tonight: Russ & Co have gone field goal, fumble, fumble and field goal on those possessions. — Kyle Newman
Missed opportunity (8:44 p.m.): Courtland Sutton’s false start penalty, the Broncos’ third of the game, negates Andrew Beck’s touchdown run. Russell Wilson has also been pegged for two delay of game penalties. — Kyle Newman
Clock issues (8:42 p.m.): Broncos pre-snap operation is a total mess. Not getting to the line until 10 or less on play clock. Hackett thought about calling timeout on that last play. — Ryan O’Halloran
100 yards (8:38 p.m.): With that catch, Jerry Jeudy now has four catches for 102 yards receiving on the day. It’s his first 100-yard game since Jan. 3, 2021. — Joe Nguyen
. in space >>>
📺: ESPN
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
This is all set-up to be a very dramatic first W of Russell Wilson's career in Denver.
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla)
Punt No. 1 (8:28 p.m.): It took all the way until the fourth quarter, but the Broncos finally forced the Seahawks to punt. Broncos rookie Montrell Washington couldn’t capitalize, returning it for just 3 yards. — Joe Nguyen
Third quarter analysis — Seahawks 17, Broncos 13
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: On the plus side, Randy Gregory looked as sick of watching Geno Smith do his best Drew Brees impersonation as the rest of apountry. But otherwise, the Broncos look … soft. Two possessions within the opponents’ 1-yard line, only to fumble it away twice? You give away the ball to take two touchdowns off the board, on the road, in the NFL, you get what you deserve. And thatap an “L.”
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: This game gives me the jitters. Or maybe it’s the three lattes I’ve enjoyed today in Seattle. It’s 17-13 Seahawks after three periods. I picked Broncos to win 21-20. My story. Sticking to it.
Third quarter updates
Déjà vu (8:18 p.m.): The Broncos have fumbled at the goal line on two possessions in a row. First it was Gordon, then Javonte Williams, spoiling a possession set up by Randy Gregory’s strip of D.K. Metcalf that was recovered by Justin Simmons. — Kyle Newman
Another fumble at the goal line (8:16 p.m.) Another run at the goal line for the Broncos, another fumble for a loss. This time it was Javonte Williams. Seahawks with the ball at the 20. — Joe Nguyen
Gregory’s impact (8:10 p.m.): Denver got a huge defensive stop after Randy Gregory was able to pry the ball loose from D.J. Metcalf. Justin Simmons picked up the recovery. Broncos ball. — Joe Nguyen
. coming up BIG TIME.
📺: ESPN
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
Gordon’s hands (8:05 p.m.) Melvin Gordon had seven fumbles over his last two seasons with the Broncos. He added another to that tally, coughing it up on a fourth-and-goal attempt from the Seahawks 1-yard line. With the goal line stuff, the Seahawks retained their 17-14 lead. — Kyle Newman
Fourth-and-no (8:01 p.m.): The Broncos offense has been sloppy, which is not a good combination with the deafening noise of the Lumen Field faithful. There’s been a false start on Cam Fleming, a false start on Garett Bolles, an illegal formation penalty and two delay of game calls on Wilson on Denver’s opening drive of the second half. It’s almost as if … this offense didn’t play a single possession together during a preseason game. — Kyle Newman
GOAL LINE STAND.
📺: on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+— NFL (@NFL)
Big pass interference (7:56 p.m.): Russell Wilson aired one out to Courtland Sutton, who had a one-on-one against rookie Tariq Woolen. The catch wasn’t made, but the pass interference call was a big one — 31 yards. — Joe Nguyen
Been a real "Welcome to the NFL" evening for Montrell Washington.
— Matt Schubert (@MattDSchubert)
Halftime analysis — Seahawks 17, Broncos 13
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Oh, for a linebacker who could cover guys in space. Also, there’s a reason why you practice blocking and tackling in preseason tilts, with your starters, at game speed. And you’re watching it now, sadly. Beisdes the penalties, here’s the stat thatap looking eerily prescient early: In 34 career NFL starts coming in, Geno Smith had a career win-less record of just 13-21. But in the six starts in which Smith posted a QB rating of 96.0 or higher, his teams went 5-1. Et tu, Ejiro Evero?
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Could’ve the Broncos retained Uncle Vic as defensive coordinator? Have the Broncos covered a tight end since the hey day of the Orange Crush? Russell Wilson has been good. Geno Smith has been better. Everybody that had Smith doing a convincing impression of Patrick Mahomes and the Seahawks scoring 17 points in the first half, kindly raise your hand.
Second quarter updates
Another three spot (7:35 p.m.): The Broncos close out the first half with another field goal. Brandon McManus hits the 40-yard kick to cut the lead to 17-13.
And you get a penalty, and you get a penalty (7:25 p.m.): Broncos at seven penalties for 71 yards, at two-minute warning of first half.
Last year …
- Had more than 7 penalties in a game just once (10 at Jax)
- Had more than 71 yards in penalties in a game just once (101 at Jax)
— Ryan O’Halloran
O-line depth (7:24 p.m.): The Broncos’ depth on the offensive line is about to be tested. Graham Glasgow has his helmet on to go play right guard for Quinn Meinerz (hamstring). Having a veteran interior lineman at the ready was one of the Broncos’ sneaky advantages going into the season. — Matt Schubert
Issues against tight ends (7:24 p.m.): The Seahawks tight ends are torching the Broncos’ inside linebackers in coverage, with the latest being Colby Parkinson’s 25-yard TD catch to put Seattle up 17-10. Jonas Griffth and Alex Singleton have to be better against the pass. — Kyle Newman
Seattle strikes back (7:22 p.m.) The tie was short-lived. Geno Smith connected with Colby Parkinson on a 27-yard strike that gave the Seahawks a touchdown lead.
Russell Wilson to Jerry Jeudy (7:13 p.m.): After no TDs last year, Jerry Jeudy takes his first target and reception of the season 67 yards to the house, reinvigorating the Broncos’ offense and tying the game 10-10. Jeudy has the goal of leading the NFL in all receiving categories this year. That’s a good start. — Kyle Newman
"When I get in that end zone, y'all are gonna feel me." – ™️
📺: ESPN
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
Penalties galore (7:08 p.m.): We’re not even halfway through this game and the Broncos already have six penalties for 66 yards. The Seahawks likely got a field goal because of one of them. Seahawks 10, Broncos 3 with 7:20 left in the second quarter. The sloppiness will have to stop. Soon. — Matt Schubert
Three more for Seattle (7:06 p.m.): Despite getting multiple penalties, the Denver defense was able to hold the Seahawks to just three points on that drive on Jason Myers’ 49-yard field goal. — Joe Nguyen
Cooper’s penalty (7:01 p.m.): Jonathon Cooper makes his first tackle of the season on a nice play out in the flat, then promptly gets called for unsportsmanlike conduct for standing and yelling over D’Wayne Eskridge as the wideout lay on the ground. Did Cooper not watch the NFL last year? Those sorts of calls have been a point of emphasis by the refs. — Kyle Newman
Adams hurt? (6:54 p.m.): Seahawks safety Jamal Adams limped off the field after nearly sacking Russell Wilson early in the second quarter. — Joe Nguyen
First quarter analysis — Seahawks 7, Broncos 3
Ryan O’Halloran, Broncos beat reporter: Who had the Broncos completing five first-quarter passes and not a one to a receiver? Russell Wilson worked the edges to complete passes to fullback/tight end Andrew Beck and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: First quarter MVP? D.J. Jones. As this game is Pete Carroll’s Super Bowl — Seattle’s roster ain’t taking him to the real one — he’s going to gamble like there’s no tomorrow, especially with The 12th Man screaming at his back. But Geno Smith is Geno Smith for a reason, and Jones pulling the Seattle QB back on that huge fourth-and-1 sneak at the Denver 7 is the kind of momentum-killer you need to shut up the yayhoos at Lumen Field. The Seahawks punched first and swung from their heels. But you get the feeling that this one’s going 12 rounds.
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: The sun’s out in Seattle. Why so grumpy, people? This whole city seems to have a beef with Russell Wilson. But the real problem with the first quarter for Denver? The Broncos had trouble tackling, almost like their starters didn’t do it all preseason. Wait … what? Never mind. Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith figures to turn back into a pumpkin long before midnight.
First quarter updates
Shaking the cobwebs (6:46 p.m.): Tackling has been an issue early on for the Broncos defense. Methinks the lack of preseason contact might’ve contributed to that. But with a massive fourth-down stop on Geno Smith’s failed QB sneak, perhaps the Ponies have gotten their sea legs? — Matt Schubert
Fourth-and-no (6:44 p.m.): The Seahawks’ second drive ends at the Denver 7-yard line after the Broncos stuff the Seahawks on fourth-and-1. Seattle tried a QB sneak with Geno Smith, but Smith slipped on the play, and Dre’Mont Jones tackled him for no gain on the play. — Kyle Newman
Blast from the past (6:38 p.m.): Noah Fant, traded from Denver to Seattle in the Russell Wilson trade, jumpstarts the Seahawks’ second drive. Fant catches a 13-yard pass, then draws a personal foul call for a helmet-to-helmet hit from Kareem Jackson. Fant was okay, and held out his arm signaling for a first down for several seconds after the play. — Kyle Newman
Evaluating Denver’s opening drive (6:34 p.m.): Considering the first drive and Montrell Washington’s awful decision on the kick return, that drive was a solid answer from the Broncos offense (a 30-yard field goal by Brandon McManus).
The false start hurts, though. Committed by right tackle Cam Fleming, who’s on in place of the injured Billy Turner.
RT and ILB problems emerge early on. Both spots where the team’s lack of depth could eventually be an issue. — Matt Schubert
Where it’s at (6:28 p.m.): Did anyone have Andrew Beck as the first three targets of the Russell Wilson Era? Wilson’s first pass to Beck on an out route is a little high, and skips off the hands of the tight end. But Wilson goes right back to Beck the next play on play-action for a 25-yard gain. It’s Beck’s first reception since 2019, and Beck follows that with a 27-yard one-handed catch downfield.— Kyle Newman
OKAY, BECK!
📺: ESPN
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
Andrew Beck a key component of the Broncos offense.
Just as we all saw coming.
— Matt Schubert (@MattDSchubert)
Russell who? (6:25 p.m.): By the way, Geno Smith on that opening Seattle drive? Cool as a cucumber, 4-for-4 for 71 yards and the touchdown to Dissly. — Kyle Newman
Woes in the middle continue (6:23 p.m.): Already, the question mark at middle linebacker has reared its ugly head for the Broncos. Alex Singleton had Geno Smith dead to rights on the blitz and whiffed. The one thing the Broncos didn’t want to do — give a bad Seattle team early confidence — has happened. — Matt Schubert
Seahawks strike first (6:20 p.m.): On third-and-short, Alex Singleton (making his first Broncos start) nearly had a huge sack on Geno Smith, but instead, the Seattle QB shedded Singleton, stepped up in the pocket and dumped the ball off to wide-open tight end Will Dissly for a 38-yard touchdown pass. Not a good start for the Broncos defense. — Kyle Newman
What a START! improvises to . Place is electric!
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📱: Stream on NFL+— NFL (@NFL)
Coin toss (6:15 p.m.): The crowd booed Wilson again as the quarterback walked out for the coin toss, along with fellow captains Kareem Jackson, Bradley Chubb, Brandon McManus and Justin Simmons. The Broncos win the toss and defer. — Kyle Newman
Nothing gets me more hyped than deferring the kick.
— Matt Schubert (@MattDSchubert)
Pregame updates
They’re saying “Boo-urns” (6:09 p.m.): As the Broncos re-take the field just ahead to kickoff, Russell Wilson is booed long, and loudly, by the “12s” faithful packed inside a sold out Lumen Field. Wilson took the high road earlier this week when asked about the possibility of boos, but there’s no doubt it’s going to add to his fire to beat his former team tonight. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll essentially gave his fanbase the green light to boo Wilson this week, the quarterback who led Seattle to its lone world championship. — Kyle Newman
Inactives (5:18 p.m.): The Broncos have five players listed as inactive:
- ILB Josey Jewell
- OL Billy Turner
- S Delarrin Turner-Yell
- DL Eyioma Uwazurike
- WR Jalen Virgil
— Joe Nguyen
Dressed for success (4:05 p.m.): In perhaps a nod to his old stomping grounds, new Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson arrived at Lumen Field in … well … we’re not exactly sure what shade of green that is. Mint?
Extra points for the bow tie.— Matt Schubert
In the building. 😎
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
Post predictions
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 21, Seahawks 20
My dream homecoming scenario: Russell Wilson grins and bears the booing, then throws two TD passes to remind the “12’s” what they’ll miss. Drew Lock enters game in second half and delivers a pick-6 to Pat Surtain that clinches W for Denver. Pete Carroll and DangeRuss hug it out after game. Shortly after midnight, a gentle, cleansing rain begins to fall on Seattle.
Kyle Newman, beat writer: Broncos 31, Seahawks 14
The 12th Man is silenced by the second half as the Broncos get off to a sizable early lead behind a couple of Russell Wilson TD passes and a Javonte Williams rushing score. The Denver D proves it can be a pillar again in 2022, stifling Geno Smith & Co. until garbage time.
Ryan O’Halloran, beat writer: Broncos 28, Seahawks 17
Seattle coach Pete Carroll has basically encouraged Seahawks fans to boo quarterback Russell Wilson despite a decade of mostly excellent play. Well, by late Monday night, the “12’s” will be booing Carroll after Wilson makes his Broncos debut with three touchdown passes. Please take a victory lap of the stadium after the game, Russ.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 24, Seahawks 20
“Russ Comes Home” makes for killer TV, but Week 1’s the worst time to play a bad Seahawks team thatap basically quiet-quitting in order to grab a franchise QB in next spring’s draft. The 12th Man keeps it closer than it oughta be.
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor:Broncos 27, Seahawks 13
No pressure, Russ. Seriously, no pressure. This Seahawks offense is going to be bad. Real bad. Get the Broncos in the end zone three times tonight, and DangeRuss should come away with a win against his old team.
Broncos-Seahawks NFL Week 1: Must reads
The buzz is back: Quarterback Russell Wilson’s arrival heightens expectations for Broncos season
Following six consecutive years out of the playoffs and five consecutive losing seasons, the Broncos were relevant. Finally. They were a part of the AFC conversation. And they had The Quarterback. Finally.
A week later, the trade was official. A week after that, Wilson hosted teammates in San Diego for a throwing camp. Two months later, he was on the practice field. And Monday night, he makes his hype-filled return to Seattle to face his former team. It is Game 1 of 17, but it could serve as the catalyst for the Broncos to start their march up the division and conference.
What seemed unfathomable a year ago and unlikely in early March will become a reality: Wilson will lead the Broncos out of the tunnel in the stadium he thought he would always call home, Ryan O’Halloran reports.Read more…
Broncos scouting report: How Denver matches up against Seahawks and predictions
If Seattle has any chance of hanging with the Broncos despite being out-matched at most positions, it lies with the Seahawks’ two dynamic Pro Bowl wideouts, Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf.
Lockettap posted three straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons, including a career high of 1,175 on 73 catches with eight touchdowns last season. Metcalf, meanwhile, had 967 yards on 75 catches and 12 touchdowns in ’21, after posting a career-high 1,303 yards in ’20.
Broncos safety Justin Simmons said the Seahawks’ duo “puts a lot of pressure on the defense,” Kyle Newman reports.Read more…
Randy Gregory recovered from shoulder surgery, primed for Broncos debut in primetime against Seattle: “I’ll be ready”
Since signing a five-year, $70 million deal in March as the Broncos’ flashiest free agency acquisition on defense, Randy Gregory spent most of the offseason rehabbing from right shoulder surgery.
But Gregory vows he’ll be ready for Monday’s primetime season opener in Seattle, where the edge rusher is eager to prove he’s worth the money he got despite only 12 career starts and 16.5 sacks over five seasons, Ryan O’Halloran and Kyle Newman report. Read more…
