Russell Wilson suffers nightmare return to Seattle as the Broncos lose 17-16 in embarrassing opener

Geno Smith and the Seahawks ruin Russell Wilson’s Broncos debut as the quarterback suffers nail-biting 17-16 defeat to his former side in revenge game return to Lumen Field in Week 1

  • Brandon McManus missed a 64-yard go-ahead FG with 20 seconds remaining
  • Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett decided to pull Russell Wilson and the offense on a 4th & 5 to attempt the long FG with all three timeouts and over 60s remaining
  • Geno Smith was terrific for the Seahawks, throwing 2 touchdowns in the win 
  • Denver fumbled twice at the goal line, turning the ball over on both occasions 

The Seattle Seahawks caused a stunning 17-16 upset in Russell Wilson’s return to Lumen Field with the Denver Broncos on Monday night. 

In a performance few expected, Geno Smith guided a desperate and inspired Seattle team to victory. 

Denver had a late opportunity to win the game as Brandon McManus missed a 61-yard field goal wide-left in the final seconds of the game. 

On a fourth-and-five from the Seattle 46, first-time Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett decided to send McManus onto the field for the game-winning try.

Russell Wilson struggled to inspire a comeback win during his debut for the Denver Broncos

Fundamentally, he trusted McManus more than Wilson and the offense to complete the comeback. 

Denver never lead during Wilson’s return to his former home, in what can only be described as a bitterly disappointing start for the playoff hopefuls. 

Wilson’s team managed to snatch a defeat from the jaws of victory, with two fumbles on the goal line. 

The Broncos’ biggest offseason recruit wasn’t at his best, not unsurprising given a new team and unfamiliar surroundings. 

Geno Smith was phenomenal in his debut as Seattle's starting QB in the post-Wilson era

Geno Smith was phenomenal in his debut as Seattle’s starting QB in the post-Wilson era 

However, he failed to get the ball to his talented receiver corps, Jerry Jeudy aside, for most of the game.

Jeudy had four receptions for 102 yards and a 67-yard touchdown while Courtland Sutton did step up late with four receptions for 72 yards. 

As much as Wilson will be the story, and rightfully so, Geno Smith was sensational on his first start as the face of the Seahawks franchise.

Smith had 12 straight completions to open the game before finishing 23/28 for 195 yards and two touchdowns. 

Wilson celebrates during the fourth quarter prior to the Broncos' eventual loss vs. Seattle

Wilson celebrates during the fourth quarter prior to the Broncos’ eventual loss vs. Seattle

Wilson’s former deputy had a 119.5 passer rating in comparison to the Broncos signal-caller’s 101.3. 

Truth be told, Smith willed his team toward victory. Denver’s defense slowed their momentum in the second half but he — and their defense — put themselves in a position to win. 

Indeed, it could be argued Wilson did the same, and had Javonte Williams and Melvin Ingram not respectively fumbled on the goal line, the game would have been very different. 

Although Wilson, like McManus’ kick, came up short — unable to push past the Seattle defense to get another set of downs, nor McManus to a more feasible distance. 

The former Seahawk found himself under duress more often than he would have preferred

The former Seahawk found himself under duress more often than he would have preferred

Jamal Adams was carted off with an apparent ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return. 

Yet the fortitude Pete Carroll’s defense showed will hold them in good stead if Adams does have a spell on the sidelines.  

Wilson and the Broncos may stir in the night but it will be a brief blip in a season where he and the Mile High team will soon gel and show far more than they did on his return to Seattle. 

Seattle head to San Francisco on Sunday for a tasty NFC West divisional showdown, meanwhile Denver host the Texans in Wilson’s first game at Empower Field.  

Seahawks fans were hoping they could cook Russ, and they got their wish on Monday night

Seahawks fans were hoping they could cook Russ, and they got their wish on Monday night

Relive the Seattle Seahawks’ nail-biting 17-16 victory over the Denver Broncos with Sportsmail’s live blog from PATRICK DJORDJEVIC: