Seahawks-Broncos score: It might be time to bench Sam Darnold after OT loss

The Seattle Seahawks (3-3) officially have a quarterback problem.

Sam Darnold threw two more dreadful interceptions, one of which was in field goal range toward the end of regulation, another of which gifted the Denver Broncos (4-2) the game-winning field goal in overtime. Seattle was down 14-3 throughout the second half, finally found some offense late, but ultimately lost 17-14 despite the defense putting in a heroic second half and overtime display. Denver’s offense put up 168 yards and won.

There’s nothing more to say. I’ve defended Darnold’s struggles, thank him forever for the Super Bowl ring, and his NFC Championship performance is one of the great showings in Seahawks history. But this version of Darnold is Jets Darnold and the Seahawks are not going to be back in the playoffs this year if he keeps playing like this.

Something has to change. This was abysmal. It’s not all on Darnold given the shambolic offensive line performance and the mediocre rushing attack and questionable play-calling, but Darnold is killing any semblance of a smooth offense at the moment and directly costing Seattle games.

Seahawks-Broncos 1st half recap

Seattle started on offense and went heavy on shotgun plays. Sam Darnold completed his first four passes to get into Broncos territory, only for consecutive sacks to completely derail the drive and prompt a punt. Denver was backed up inside its own 10, gained very little on consecutive running plays and then Bo Nix was lucky that his pass to Jaylen Waddle was too inaccurate to either be caught by Waddle or pick-6’d by Julian Love.

The Seahawks had a short-ish field and got on the board first with a field goal. They picked up 13 yards on the ground, with Velus Jones Jr getting some run over George Holani. Neither pass by Sam Darnold was completed, and Myers came on for a 55-yarder. 3-0 Seahawks.

The Broncos’ first points came on an eight-minute drive that extended into the second quarter. Denver converted on multiple third downs and a 4th-and-3 near midfield. The Seahawks didn’t concede a lot of big plays, but they were dinked and dunked through small runs and screen passes. JK Dobbins waltzed into the end zone to cap off a long touchdown drive. 7-3 Broncos.

A big kick return by Rashid Shaheed was wasted by Seattle, which ended up punting the ball back to Denver in swift order. Darnold was nearly picked on a blitz looking for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That kind of game and that kind of season. Denver went on a 9-play, 79-yard drive that was aided heavily by a pass interference in the end zone by Devon Witherspoon on Courtland Sutton. Automatic first-and-goal at the 1 and a direct snap touchdown to RJ Harvey for another score. 14-3 Broncos.

A kickoff out of bounds gave the Seahawks another short field. Well, what would they do this time? Fumble, of course. Rashid Shaheed took an end-around and as he was upended, the ball was jarred loose by a knee and the Broncos recovered. To make it worse, the effort by Elijah Arroyo to recover the fumble cost him his shoulder and ultimately the rest of the game.

No other scoring happened heading into the break. Seattle’s offense was thoroughly disjointed.

Seahawks-Broncos 2nd half recap

Denver’s offense didn’t manage much offense throughout the third quarter, so Seattle’s defense tightened up. The offense wasted opportunities time and time again. Bad sacks by Sam Darnold, a lack of blocking by Abe Lucas, and even when good things happened there were bad things to override the good. Rashid Shaheed caught a 42-yard long ball to finally make a major contribution in the passing game. Darnold was sacked on a third down, setting up a longer but still makeable field goal for Jason Myers… DOINK.

I wish I had a more thorough recap but the game was just dull. Plain dull. Few explosive plays, a lot of negative Seahawks plays, just no scoring. Sam Darnold took a dismal fifth sack while in field goal range. Just a messy, messy showing. It’s the fourth quarter and time is ticking away.

HANG ON! We have excitement! We have an 11-play, 67-yard drive from the Seahawks that felt like pulling teeth but actually ended in points! Sam Darnold converted a 4th and short to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who took a shot but not the full brunt of it. Darnold scrambled for 18 yards for another critical conversion. George Holani, rebounding from a horrible game last week, had a strong 13-yard rush with the help of his offensive linemen and Eric Saubert. He dragged tacklers to the 1, then muscled his way into the end zone on the next snap. A two-point conversion desperation throw to Rashid Shaheed was tipped in the air and CAUGHT! 14-11 Broncos.

The Broncos offense, which was stuck in mud all half, went three-and-out again after Bo Nix took two really bad sacks. Nick Emmanwori devoured him with a sack as a spy on 3rd and long. Punt time!

Sam Darnold lofted a beauty to JSN for 30 yards to set the Seahawks up near midfield! On 3rd and 1 inside Denver’s 40… Sam gets picked by Kris Abrams-Draine on a throw intended for Tory Horton. Dear oh dear oh dear.

Seattle had all of its timeouts but only took two because Nix threw an incomplete pass on 3rd down. Uchenna Nwosu nearly got a pick and instead had a PBU. Rashid Shaheed had a big punt return to the 45. Cooper Kupp with a drop. Brutal. Darnold gets LEVELED and he’s hurt, but so is a Broncos player on a short throw to AJ Barner. It’s 3rd and 6 and he converts to Shaheed! Spike with under 30 seconds left. Now a throw over the middle to Kupp to the 23! Another spike! Quick throw to JSN to the 16 with 7 ticks. Jason Myers from 34 for the tie… GOOD! 14-14 and we go to overtime!

Seahawks vs. Broncos overtime recap

The Seahawks started overtime on offense by fumbling the kickoff. Rashid Shaheed dropped it and then only returned it to the 23, and a holding penalty backed Seattle up half the distance to the goal. Two runs with Emanuel Wilson only gained seven yards, setting up a dreaded 3rd and 3. A quick throw to JSN converts for the first. Darnold has a second down pass batted down, then a third down pass picked off by Ja’Quan McMillian. Denver already on the cusp of field goal range.

Two runs gained 8 yards, setting up 3rd and short for Denver. Bo Nix stifled by Tyrice Knight, but it’s still a makeable 52-yard field goal for Wil Lutz. He got it. 17-14 Broncos OT.

Seahawks-Broncos full box score

Seahawks injury report

• TE Elijah Arroyo left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return.

Next week’s opponent

The Seahawks return home for a daunting Sunday Night Football showdown with Kenneth Walker III and the Kansas City Chiefs (4-0). NBC and Peacock have the broadcast at 5:15 pm PT on Oct. 25.