Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson returned to Lumen Field and lost to his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, on Monday Night Football in Week 1.
Wilson was met with heavy boos when he went out on the field for the first time with Denver’s offense, and the offense got off to a slow start before finally getting things going midway through the second quarter.
Wilson connected with wide receiver Jerry Jeudy on a 67-yard touchdown pass before halftime to tie the game at 10-10, and the Broncos’ offense looked like it might have turned a corner. Then the turnovers hit.
Denver had a chance to rush for a go-ahead score in the third quarter on 4th-and-goal, but running back Melvin Gordon was stuffed at the goal line and fumbled. Seattle recovered the ball and preserved a 17-13 lead.
Fortunately for the Broncos, outside linebacker Randy Gregory forced a DK Metcalf fumble on the Seahawks’ ensuing drive and safety Justin Simmons recovered.
Denver then went back down to the one-yard line, only to fumble again. This time running back Javonte Williams coughed the ball up and Seattle recovered in its own end zone for a touchback, still leading by four points.
The Seahawks weren’t able to capitalize on that turnover and the Broncos later got the ball back in the fourth quarter. Wilson then led a 72-yard drive that stalled and ended with a Brandon McManus field goal, making it 17-16 with 6:13 remaining in the game.
Denver’s defense then forced and punt and got the ball back for Wilson with 4:02 left on the clock. Wilson got the Broncos in range for a 64-yard field goal attempt but McManus missed it wide left and Seattle held on to win.
Making things worse for Denver, the team lost offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz to a hamstring injury in the second quarter. He was replaced by Graham Glasgow at guard. Broncos cornerback K’Waun Williams (hand) also left the game with an injury in the second half.
Up next for Denver is a home game against the Houston Texans in Week 2. Houston tied the Indianapolis Colts 20-20 in Week 1.
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