News

Broncos Edge Seahawks 17–14 in Overtime on Wil Lutz’s 53-Yard Field Goal

Denver’s defense delivers three takeaways as the Broncos survive Seattle’s fourth-quarter comeback on Thursday Night Football.

DENVER — The Denver Broncos needed one more defensive stand after surrendering an 11-point fourth-quarter lead Thursday night. Ja’Quan McMillian delivered something better.

McMillian intercepted Sam Darnold in overtime, setting up Wil Lutz’s 53-yard field goal as Denver defeated the Seattle Seahawks 17–14 on October 15 at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos improved to 4–2, while the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks slipped to 3–3.

The finish rewarded a Denver defense that repeatedly rescued its struggling offense. The Broncos forced three turnovers, recorded five sacks and hit Darnold 17 times, producing the decisive play after Seattle had erased a 14–3 deficit.

McMillian’s interception decides Broncos–Seahawks overtime

Seattle received the ball first in overtime with a chance to complete its comeback. Instead, facing third-and-7, Darnold attempted a pass toward Rashid Shaheed that McMillian intercepted in Seahawks territory.

Denver turned the takeaway into the winning kick, ending a night in which its defense carried much of the burden.

“Defensively, we were magnificent,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said afterward.

The interception was Denver’s second in the closing stages. Kris Abrams-Draine had picked off Darnold late in regulation, interrupting another Seattle possession that threatened to produce the go-ahead score. Although the Seahawks eventually recovered to force overtime, their next turnover proved fatal.

Denver builds early lead before offense stalls

The Broncos established their advantage with second-quarter rushing touchdowns from J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. Dobbins scored from 4 yards out, while Harvey added a 1-yard touchdown run.

Those scoring drives gave Denver a 14–3 halftime lead. They also represented the bulk of the Broncos’ offensive success: Denver failed to score during the second half, leaving its defense to protect an increasingly vulnerable margin.

Bo Nix finished with 107 passing yards, and the Broncos managed just 168 yards of total offense. Denver punted on all six of its second-half possessions, allowing Seattle repeated opportunities to work its way back into the game.

Seahawks rally but cannot finish

Seattle finally found enough offense in the fourth quarter to turn a two-possession deficit into a tie. A touchdown and successful two-point conversion brought the Seahawks within three, and Jason Myers’ late field goal forced overtime.

Darnold threw for 278 yards but finished with two interceptions. Jaxon Smith-Njigba supplied Seattle’s most productive receiving performance, catching 12 passes for 134 yards. Those gains helped sustain the comeback, but they could not overcome the turnovers and Denver’s relentless pressure.

The Broncos’ disruption extended beyond the interceptions. In the second quarter, Nik Bonitto forced a fumble after a Shaheed reception, and Justin Strnad recovered to end a promising Seattle drive. Four of Denver’s five sacks came on third down.

Broncos improve to 4–2 behind defense

Thursday’s victory gave Denver four wins in its past five games and kept the Broncos unbeaten in three home appearances this season.

Yet the result also exposed the challenge ahead. Denver generated enough offense to build a lead, then spent the second half struggling to sustain possessions. Seattle showed the resolve to recover, but its ball security failed at the moment it mattered most.

For the Broncos, the winning formula was clear: survive on offense, create opportunities on defense and trust Lutz to finish.

North American Talk Radio may earn a commission if you make a purchase through links in this article, at no additional cost to you.