Kole Musgrove
August 4, 2024 1:27 pm PT
Can you believe it? Counting today, we are only FIVE Sundays away from the Seattle Seahawks kicking off against the Denver Broncos in Week 1. Football is inching closer and closer with each passing day, making that first Sunday feel ever more attainable.
With that in mind, I thought we’d go back and look at the five biggest plays from the most recent meetings between the Seahawks and the Broncos. Seattle has sort of outright owned the City of Denver and all their sports, especially with the Seahawks and Broncos.
Of course, this could easily be a Top 5 plays of Super Bowl XLVIII, and there obviously will be a few! But there are a couple other ones to enjoy as well.
No. 5 – Brancon McManus misses the game winner in Week 1 of 2022
Sep 12, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Denver Broncos place kicker Brandon McManus (8) misses a field goal against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The Broncos’ bizarre clock management leads to a 64-yard field goal try on 4th-and-5, and the kick is no good. The Seahawks are going to win!
(It’s also worth wondering why the Broncos didn’t just go for it instead of a 64-yard try) #MNF pic.twitter.com/OR4CbX2SOm
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 13, 2022
The last time the Seahawks hosted the Broncos in Week 1 was on Monday Night Football to cap off the first weekend of the 2022 season. It was the return of Russell Wilson to Lumen Field after his contentious exit from Seattle. The Seahawks proved Mile High grasses weren’t greener than the Emerald City, as the Broncos were upset following their missed field goal from 64-yards out.
In an outdoor stadium. At sea level.
Yeah, I don’t understand the decision either.
No. 4 – Not so safe(ty) for Peyton Manning
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts as the snap flies over his head for a safety in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
6 years ago today, the last safety in Super Bowl history…
Seahawks went on to win 43-8 😬 pic.twitter.com/RJtcRUzhjU
— 7th Round Media (@7thRoundMedia) February 2, 2020
Disaster started early for the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. Denver got the ball to start, putting their legendary offense on the field to face the Legion of Boom right off the bat. Only problem is the ball went backwards, sailing past Peyton Manning’s head and into the endzone to give the Seahawks a 2-0 lead only 12 seconds in the game – the fastest score in Super Bowl history. The game was hardly lost at this moment, but it set the tone that the Broncos were in for a long, humiliating night.
No. 3 – Marshawn Lynch walks-off the Broncos in overtime
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 21: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks dives int the end zone over cornerback Aqib Talib #21 of the Denver Broncos for the game winning score during overtime of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 21, 2014 in Seattle,Washington. The Seahawks won the game 26-20. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
After dominating the Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII, Denver visited Seattle the following season. It was a Week 3 showdown between the 2-0 Broncos and the 1-1 Seahawks which was not the blowout a few months earlier. In a largely defensive stalemate, Seattle built a 20-12 lead over Denver – thanks to a timely interception from Kam Chancellor – only to see it erased in the final moments of the game, as Peyton Manning engineered a six-play, 80-yard drive in only 41 seconds to force overtime.
Fortunately, the Seahawks won the coin toss in overtime, and capped it off with a Marshawn Lynch touchdown to defend home turf from the Broncos.
No. 2 – Malcolm Smith pick-six
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) returns an interception for a touchdown past Denver Broncos guard Louis Vasquez (65) in the second quarter in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
— http://www.SeattleONTap.com (@theShopONtap) November 10, 2023
The Seahawks domination in the first half of Super Bowl XLVIII was capped off by eventual MVP Malcolm Smith. With Seattle nursing a 15-0 lead, the Broncos were finally on the move for the first time. Their first drive with even a first down ended in tragedy… for them. Manning’s pass was affected by Cliff Avril bullrushing Orlando Franklin into him, and the wounded duck found its way into the waiting arms of Malcolm Smith, who promptly made it a 22-0 lead for the Seahawks.
No. 1 - Percy Harvin's kickoff return
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin (11) returns a kick for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the third quarter in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
I mean… could it be anything else? This was the moment. The moment it became evident the Seattle Seahawks would finally hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the first time ever. A 22-0 lead is one thing. But making it 29-0 right out of the gates of the second half? In honor of halftime act Bruno Mars, Percy Harvin locked the Broncos out of (football) heaven.
What's next?
Sep 12, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III (25) is stopped shy of the goal line on a fourth down play against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The next chapter in the Seahawks vs Broncos rivalry begins on Sunday, September 8th 2024 at Lumen Field. It will be the inaugural game in the Mike Macdonald era.
