It certainly wasn't pretty, but the Denver Broncos hung on to defeat the Seattle Seahawks 17-14 on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 6 of the 2026 NFL season on Thursday evening. Denver's defense dominated the game, totaling five sacks, two interceptions and one fumble in the victory.
After the two sides exchanged punts on their opening drives, Seahawks kicker Jason Myers converted a 55-yard field goal to give Seattle a 3-0 lead about halfway through the first quarter. On their next possession, the Broncos went 74 yards on 16 plays on their way to taking a 7-3 lead on a four-yard J.K. Dobbins touchdown run.
Denver's defense forced a punt on Seattle's next drive, then the Broncos went 79 yards on nine plays to take a 14-3 lead following a one-yard RJ Harvey touchdown run:
Broncos go 79 yards on nine plays and make it 14-3 over the Seahawks on a 1-yard RJ Harvey touchdown run. #TNFpic.twitter.com/JFr9pVgz0v
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) October 16, 2026
On the Seahawks' next drive, Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto forced a fumble and linebacker Justin Strnad recovered the ball at Denver's 34-yard line. Denver ended up punting after that takeaway, but it halted a promising Seattle drive, and 14-3 ended up being the halftime score.
In the second half, Seattle missed a 47-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter, and the score remained 14-3 going into the fourth. Later, with 5:47 remaining in the game, George Holani scored on a one-yard touchdown run. After a successful two-point conversion, the Seahawks trailed 14-11. Denver's offense then went three-and-out, and Seattle got the ball back at their 26-yard line with 3:24 remaining.
After Seattle got down to the 39-yard line, Kris Abrams-Draine intercepted a Darnold pass:
BALL. HAWK.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 16, 2026
📺: #TNFonPrimepic.twitter.com/7LDcOIgJio
After that takeaway, the Broncos' offense went three-and-out, punting the ball right back to the Seahawks. Seattle then drove down to Denver's 16-yard line before converting a 34-yard field goal to send the game to overtime.
On the first drive of overtime, Ja'Quan McMillian intercepted a Darnold pass to give Denver the ball at the Seahawks' 43-yard line, needing just a field goal to win.
Ja'Quan McMillian's interception sets the Broncos up beyond midfield needing just a field goal to win #TNF. pic.twitter.com/yqoqM71Q4O
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) October 16, 2026
Denver's offense managed to gain eight yards before setting up a 53-yard Wil Lutz game-winning field goal. Lutz nailed it, securing the win to improve to 4-2 on the season.
On the injury front, Denver running back Tyler Badie suffered a thumb injury early in the second quarter and he was later ruled out just before halftime. Late in the second quarter, defensive lineman Malcolm Roach (unknown) left to be evaluated in the team's blue medical tent, but he returned to the game in the third quarter. Broncos receiver Jaylen Waddle (shoulder) also left the sideline to go into the locker room just before halftime. He returned to the game in the third quarter. Denver pass rusher Jonah Elliss also limped off the field late in the fourth quarter and was carted into the locker room.
The Broncos will now have a min-bye with 10 days before their next game, a road showdown with the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7. With a few extra days to recover, Denver might be able to get some injury reinforcements in time for their next game.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos' defense dominates in 17-14 win over Seahawks on 'TNF'