Broncos vs. Seahawks final score, results: Geno Smith overshadows Russell Wilson in stunning Seahawks victory

By | September 12, 2022
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The stage was set. Down 17-16, Russell Wilson had a minute left and the ball at the Seahawks 46, preparing for the fourth-and-5 playcall that would determine the game.

The call, however, never came. First-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett bled the play clock down to nearly zero before taking the Broncos’ first timeout of the half and sending out Brandon McManus and the field goal unit for a 64-yard attempt. McManus put a concerted boot in it, and it looked like he had the distance, but he missed the kick left and cemented a Seahawks win in the first game of the season, a stunner.

Hackett got a chance to Let Russ Cook. Instead he turned off the burner, and was left with two timeouts and nowhere to go.

The Seahawks, for their part, played their hearts out, backed by one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. Geno Smith was an utter showstopper, as he played spoiler to Wilson’s return to Seattle with a 23 of 28 performance, 195 yards, and two touchdowns. He got things off to a scorching start, with the Seahawks scoring on their opening drive in under four minutes. Seattle scored on three of its first four in the first half, the one exception being a turnover on downs deep in Broncos territory.

MORE: Manningcast guest list Week 1

Although the offense cooled off in the second half, the defense more than picked up the slack. The Broncos had three opportunities inside the Seahawks’ 10-yard line, including two opportunities from the one. But they fumbled the ball away twice and had to settle for a field goal the third time.

Wilson made plenty of plays throughout the game. He finished 29 of 42 for 340 yards and a touchdown, but the Broncos’ inability to punch it in from the goal-line was the difference. New team, same story for Wilson.

For the Broncos, it’s an emotional start to a season in which they have lofty expectations. With the Chiefs looking like the Chiefs and Chargers handling the Raiders Sunday, they’re behind the eight ball for the time being. There’s a lot of time to get it right, but one thing is abundantly clear: There are going to be some growing pains under Hackett. The question is if the Broncos can outgrow them before frustration starts to bubble over.

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from Broncos vs. Seahawks. Below are the key moments from the first “Monday Night Football” game of the 2022 NFL season.

Broncos vs. Seahawks score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
Broncos 3 10 0 6 16
Seahawks 7 10 0 0 17

Broncos vs. Seahawks updates, highlights from “Monday “Night Football”

(All times Eastern)

11:12 p.m. — That’s triple zeroes in Seattle, as the Seahawks stun the Broncos. Seahawks 17, Broncos 16.

11:11 p.m. — The Broncos are continuing to take timeouts, but barring a miracle it won’t matter. Seahawks continue to come out in the victory formation. And the crowd at Lumen is electric.

11:09 p.m. — McManus had the leg, but he missed it wide left! The Seahawks will come away with a stunning opening day win over Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. Wild final minute in Seattle.

11:08 p.m. — Baffling clock management from Hackett there heading into this fourth down. It got down to 24 seconds for the Broncos and they took the play clock all the way down before Hackett took the Broncos’ first time out. Seattle then takes a timeout before a 64-yard McManus field goal attempt.

11:07 p.m. — Wilson dribbled the ball on second-and-14 and the play was called dead, setting up third-and-14. Javonte Williams picks up some good yardage to make things more manageable, and it’ll be fourth-and-5 for the Broncos.

11:04 p.m. — Barton continues what’s been a good game for him by absolutely blowing up Williams on a shovel pass for a loss of ~3. Huge play there, but the Seahawks will take an injury timeout as Barton and Darrell Taylor get treated.

11:03 p.m. — On third down, Wilson finds Williams for a first down and then some to the 49-yard line. No pivotal fourth down here.

11 p.m. — At the two-minute warning, the Broncos are facing third-and-2, down one, from their own 40-yard line. Huge play on the other side.

10:59 p.m. — Ruling stands. First-and-10 Broncos from their own 32, three minutes left.

10:57 p.m. — Pete Carroll doesn’t like it, and he’ll drop a challenge on the spot. Hard to imagine that gets overturned, as the bigger issue is whether or not the ball was even at the sticks.

10:55 p.m. — Unbelievable second effort from Okwuegbunam is going to draw a measurement on third-and-5. It looks like he may well have gotten it with that extra lunge.

10:49 p.m. — Chubb gets another sack off the edge to force a three-and-out for the Seahawks, and we’re going to see Wilson and Broncos in a four-minute drill situation from their own 22 with 4:02 left down one. Let’s be real, it was always going to come to this.

10:44 p.m. — Once again, the Seahawks are going to force Denver to kick a field goal inside their 10-yard line. McManus hits to make it a one-point game, but what this Seahawks defense is doing is special. Seahawks 17, Broncos 16

10:43 p.m. — Third-and-goal coming up now after another incompletion to Jeudy.

10:42 p.m. — Hard to say enough about this Seahawks crowd. Broncos false start from the 3-yard line to make it second-and-goal from the eight.

10:40 p.m. — Third-down offense is proving to be a difference-maker for the Broncos right now. They’re down on the goal-line yet again, and they’re looking to take their first lead of the game.

10:38 p.m. — Jeudy has really gotten to showcase his speed in space. Wilson drops in another throw to him on third-and-2 for a crossing route, and he’s up over 100 yards while Wilson is over 300.

10:37 p.m. — Once again the Broncos are driving. First a big completion to Jerry Jeudy gets them in Seahawks territory, then a misdirection to Melvin Gordon puts them in second-and-2. Wilson follows that up with an incompletion after getting utterly popped on a deep attempt to Jeudy.

10:35 p.m. — Sure enough, Sutton sits in the zone and catches a first down. On the ensuing screen, one thing you have to say for this Seahawks defense: They hit hard. Brooks has been all over the screen game tonight.

10:34 p.m. — Woolen leaves the field with an injury after that last hit, and Jones takes the field. The Broncos could take a shot on third-and-4.

10:28 p.m. — Bradley Chubb absolutely blows Smith up on second down and forces a fumble, but again Seattle recovers. After an incompletion, the Seahawks will be forced to punt. With 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Broncos will get the ball back with a four-point lead.

10:27 p.m. — On third-and-2 to open the fourth, Smith runs a dead sprint to the outside and picks up the first down. It’s been an incredible game for him after all of the talk about the Seahawks QB position.

10:22 p.m. — A big run from Penny gets erased by a holding penalty, and the Seahawks are faced with second-and-16 from their own 24. Smith tucks and runs for a big run and gets near the first down marker for Seattle, and the crowd is ecstatic. The third quarter ends with no points for either side and three turnovers on three full possession.

10:16 p.m. — And stand they DO. The Broncos fumble AGAIN inside the 1-yard line, and the Seahawks recover. This time it’ll be Seattle ball at the 20 after another clutch play on the goal line.

10:14 p.m. — Very, VERY weird third down play. Wilson faced immediate pressure and looked like he might run but he instead flipped a ball to KJ Hamler, with Albert Okwuegbunam also in the area for some strange reason. Pass interference gets called, and the Seahawks defense will have to make another stand.

10:13 p.m. — Woolen makes a play on Sutton on the outside to force an incompletion after the Broncos take a shot at the end zone. Good play on the outside by the rook.

10:10 p.m. — DK Metcalf showcased his strong hands on third-and-10, after a dart from Smith on a curl route. Metcalf, however, fumbles on the very next play on a strip from Randy Gregory. Broncos recover, and they’ll get a big opportunity back in Seahawks territory. What a swing.

10:08 p.m. — The Broncos defense is imploding a bit. First it’s a pass interference on third-and-9 to give the Seahawks a first down, then a roughing the passer on another incompletion. Some frustration clearly afoot here.

10:02 p.m. — CRAZY fourth-down play for Seattle, as Gordon lost the ball trying to extend it past the goal line and the Seahawks recover. The Seahawks stand strong, and they’ll get it from their own 10. Clutch play by that defense.

10:01 p.m. — After the second delay of game on the drive, the Broncos sputter and come up just short of the end zone on fourth-and-1. Now it’s the biggest test Hackett has faced yet.

9:58 p.m. — It’s clear Wilson came out of the half wanting to get his wide receivers involved. A pass interference on a deep ball to Sutton has Denver inside the 10 once again. Now they’ll look to punch it in.

9:54 p.m. — Wilson’s feet staying quiet does so much to help the Broncos. First he finds Sutton on the sideline after a very long-developing play, then he hits Sutton for a quick-hitter. The Broncos are in business again, as they try to finish the deal. 

9:53 p.m. — The crowd hasn’t missed a beat heading into this second half, and it’s third-and-4 for Denver on the opening possession of the third. Two straight run plays for Denver out of the tunnel. Obviously no reason to panic.

9:44 p.m. — Russell Wilson may be the story, but Geno Smith is the show. The quarterback has completed 17 of his 18 attempts for 164 yards and has looked consistent moving the ball for the Seahawks, as they’ve jumped out to a 17-13 lead.

Wilson, for his part, has had magic moments but has had some questionable throws as well. He’s 10 of 15 for 206 yards and both of his completions for Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton have gone for big yardage. It would behoove the Seahawks to utilize them more in the second half.

9:35 p.m. — On third down, Wilson hits Williams again for 10 yards to make it fourth-and-8 and set up a 40-yard field goal. Brandon McManus hits it to bring the Broncos to within four at the half. Seahawks 17, Broncos 13

9:33 p.m. — Wilson just threw a ball into the bread basket of Quandre Diggs, but it just fell right through his arms. On the ensuing play, Cody Barton sacks Wilson to set up third-and-18. It’s been a rough series for the Broncos.

9:31 p.m. — Wilson shows why he’s special on third down. With the pocket collapsing, Wilson starts to climb and it reforms. He hits Courtland Sutton for 30 yards on his first catch of the day.

9:30 p.m. — On third-and-8, Wilson calls a timeout because of crowd noise at Lumen Field for the first time in his career. It is rowdy, and these fans can smell blood in the water.

9:28 p.m. — One standout in the Hackett gameplan: The screen play has looked very good. Jordyn Brooks has made two really good tackles to prevent disaster, but the Broncos offensive line is getting out in front of Williams in space.

9:25 p.m. — Williams takes it to the two-minute warning with a 10-yard gain, as the Broncos try to answer before the half.

9:21 p.m. — The Seahawks rise to the challenge with a touchdown pass from Smith to Colby Parkinson, and Smith is pumped. The catch goes for 25 yards, and Parkinson was wide open. Another big play for Seattle as the Broncos defense continues to look somewhat aimless. Seahawks 17, Broncos 10

9:18 p.m. — After a Broncos hold, Smith throws his first incompletion of the game but follows it up with a nice play while stepping up in the pocket to Marquise Goodwin. This Seahawks offense is making things hard on the Broncos.

9:16 p.m. — This drive feels somewhat important for the Seahawks. They gave the Broncos a great punch to start the game, but the Broncos have come back to tie it up. While games aren’t won in the first half, the momentum is swinging the Broncos’ way.

9:11 p.m. — The Broncos FINALLY break through as Wilson finds Jerry Jeudy down the sideline for the first time. A badly underthrown ball from Wilson gets wrestled out by Jeudy, who houses it from 67 yards out for the Broncos’ first touchdown of the game. Seahawks 10, Broncos 10

9:06 p.m. — On third and a mile, the Seahawks check down for six yards to get to the Denver 32 to set up a 49-yard field goal attempt. Jason Myers hits a 49 yarder for the Seahawks to make it 10-3 Seattle. Geno Smith is now 12 of 12 for 98 yards and 8.2 yards per attempt. Impressive start for him, although the playcalling is more conservative for the Hawks since the first drive. Seahawks 10, Broncos 3.

9:05 p.m. — Adams is officially doubtful for Seattle with a leg injury after he was helped off the field.

9:02 p.m. — Penny breaks off another big run, this one for 26 yards. He fumbles at the end of the run but the Seahawks recover, and he catches a big break.

9:00 p.m. — Yards aren’t coming as easily for the Seahawks right now, but they do get a first down coming into this series. The Broncos are also helping their cause with an unsportsmanlike conduct after Cooper stands over Eskridge.

8:55 p.m. — Jamal Adams very nearly got to Wilson on a blitz and he was forced to throw it and started a game of hot potato that ended in an incompletion. Adams limped off the field after the play, they will check on him, and the Broncos punt is nearly blocked but the Seahawks will start from their own 19.

8:53 p.m. — As Wilson tries to escape, the Seahawks track him down to record the first sack of the game for a two-yard loss. Denver gains five on the next play to set up third-and-12, and the crowd is very much in play.

8:50 p.m. — The first quarter ends with a Broncos false start, and the crowd has them a bit discombobulated right now. Frankly, they’ve been more effective at slowing down the Broncos offense than the Seahawks defense.

8:47 p.m. — The Broncos offense has been very methodical early, as Wilson slings a ball sidearm to Albert Okwuegbunam. The Seahawks stood fast in the red zone last time, and now the Broncos are approaching their side of the field again.

8:44 p.m. — The chains come back out after the Smith sneak, and the Broncos held strong! Turnover on downs for the Seahawks, and the Broncos get the ball back inside their own 20.

8:42 p.m. — Seahawks hit Fant again on third-and-2 and the sticks are out for a measurement. It was extremely close. He comes up inches short, and the Seahawks are keeping their offense on the field.

8:39 p.m. — Rashaad Penny gets in on the action with a 12-yard gain after bouncing off the initial wave. Great run for the Seahawks running back and they’re back in Denver’s red zone.

8:37 p.m. — Geno Smith is feeling himself, maybe a little too much. Ronald Darby gets hit for pass interference after Smith threw across the hashmarks on a rollout. Questionable choice but what works works. Noah Fant also gets involved for the first time tonight, as Smith goes to him on the next play and the Broncos get hit for unnecessary roughness on top of the 13-yard gain. Seahawks offense is here to play.

8:31 p.m. — This Seahawks defense has some attitude to it. On third-and-10 the Broncos empty out the backfield, and Wilson checks down against the sticks coverage, forcing the Broncos to settle for a field goal on their opening drive. Seahawks 7, Broncos 3

8:30 p.m. — Jamal Adams nearly gets an interception as Wilson tries to do too much in the red zone. The Seahawks crowd draws its first false start of the season.

8:28 p.m. — After a good first down run from Javonte Williams, Beck bails Wilson out with a one-handed 17-yard reception. Great play by the young tight end. Williams picks up another 11 yards on the next play and the Broncos are rolling.

8:27 p.m. — On a rollout, Wilson completes his second attempt as a Bronco for 25 yards to Andrew Beck. That quiets the crowd down momentarily.

8:25 p.m. — The 12th Man is LOUD as Wilson takes the field for the first time, and Buck and Aikman are letting it ride, so to speak. Wilson and the Broncos start from their own 11.

8:21 p.m. — Geno Smith wants everyone to know: HE is the main event tonight! Great play all the way around on third-and-2, as Smith climbs the pocket after Travis Homer gets run over trying to pick up a blitz. Smith finds Will Dissly for a 38-yard touchdown. Seattle scores in six plays and goes 70 yards in 3:34. Heck of a statement.

8:19 p.m. — After false start, Smith hits DK Metcalf on a comeback route to get nine back. Great catch by Metcalf to extend back and make the play.

8:18 p.m. — Good first three downs for Smith. After a pitch play, he completes his next two passes and on third-and-4 finds Tyler Lockett over the middle to get into Bronco territory.

8:17 p.m. — On the first play of the game, Smith walks up to the line quieting the crowd down. Just a quick reminder. He’s on their side.

8:15 p.m. — We’re underway in Seattle, as Geno Smith takes the field at his own 30 after the return from DeeJay Dallas.

8:13 p.m. — For those wondering, it appears no love lost between Russ and his former coach.

8:06 p.m. — Russell Wilson’s second runout gets met by just as many boos.

8:03 p.m. — Our first glimpse of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in the MNF booth!

7:38 p.m. — Hardly have to strain to hear the boos for Russ in his first game as a visitor to Lumen Field. The stadium isn’t full yet, but 

7:21 p.m. — Longtime Seahawks linebacker and Super Bowl winner KJ Wright is raising the 12th Man flag in Seattle.

5:30 p.m. — Russell Wilson certainly dressed up for his return.

What time is the NFL game tonight?

MORE: Broncos quarterback timeline from Peyton Manning to Russell Wilson

  • Date: Monday, Sept. 12
  • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET | 5:15 p.m. PT

The Broncos and Seahawks will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET, 5:15 p.m. local time. The game will be played at Lumen Field in Seattle.

What channel is Broncos vs. Seahawks on today?

  • TV channel: ESPN, ESPN2
  • Live stream: WatchESPN | ESPN+ 

There’s going to be a familiar new feeling to “Monday Night Football” on ESPN, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman moving from the marquee Fox spot to ESPN’s primetime showing. Lisa Salters will reprise her longtime roll on the sidelines. Alternatively, fans can tune into the Manningcast with Peyton and Eli Manning, who will have on a series of guests on. This week, it’s going to be Giants running back Saquon Barkley, known Seahawks fan Joel McHale of “Community” fame, and former NFL tight end and television personality Shannon Sharpe.

Streamers will be able to watch the game via WatchESPN or ESPN+.

Viewers in Canada can watch the game on DAZN with a subscription.

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