Sep 12, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles away from pressure against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
NFLBy Matt Clapp on

Monday night was the Denver Broncos debut for Russell Wilson, and it was his return to Seattle to face a Seahawks franchise he starred for over 10 NFL seasons. The Broncos entered the game as six-point favorites, but his former team pulled off an upset, with some help from bizarre clock management and decision-making for first-year Denver head coach Nathaniel Hackett, to go with two brutal Broncos fumbles.

Seattle held off Denver 17-16 in Wilson’s return (and Seahawks fans did not welcome him back), with Broncos kicker Brandon McManus missing a 64-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds.

The Broncos had very questionable clock management on the drive, and then made a very questionable decision to attempt a 64-yard field goal instead of just trying to convert a 4th-and-5 in a Wilson-quarterbacked offense (and when he surely really, really wanted to do everything to get this victory vs a team that traded him away).

Denver also fumbled twice inside the one-yard line, with Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon each coughing the ball up.

While the Denver defense held Seattle scoreless in the second half, quarterback Geno Smith and the Seahawks moved the ball with ease in the first half. The Broncos especially had trouble covering Seattle’s tight ends, with Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson each scoring touchdowns.

Smith — who beat out Drew Lock in a training camp battle — was very efficient, completing 23-of-28 passes for 195 yards, two touchdowns, no intercpetions, and a 119.5 passer rating.

On the losing end, Wilson completed 29-of-42 passes for 340 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, and a 101.3 passer rating.

Denver entered the season with Super Bowl title hopes, while the Seahawks are in rebuild mode and were expected to be one of the NFL’s worst teams.

But through Week 1 in the unpredictable NFL, it’s the Seahawks that are 1-0 and the Broncos get a bad loss while playing in a loaded AFC West division that will allow very little room for error.

Here’s a look at how the NFL world is reacting to the Seahawks knocking off the Broncos in Wilson’s return to Seattle:

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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