While it was the defense that kept the Seattle Seahawks within striking distance right until the end in their devastating 17-14 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos on Thursday night, it was ultimately Sam Darnold and the offense’s inability to string together scoring drives that helped their former AFC West rival make history.
With just 168 yards of offense, the Broncos now hold the record for the lowest yardage total in an overtime win in NFL history, breaking a record that stood for 22 years. Or,
put another way, the Seahawks hold the record for fewest yards allowed in an overtime loss in NFL history. They surpassed the 2004 Chicago Bears who defeated the Tennessee Titans 19-17 in Week 9 with 176 yards.
It’s the second notable overtime win from a struggling offense this season, joining the Green Bay Packers Week 2 comeback win over the New York Jets, where they strung together just 199 total yards (5th lowest all time). Albeit, the game was played in rain and windy conditions, which likely contributed to the low scoring outcome.
However, it wasn’t the weather that put Denver in a position to beat the defending Super Bowl champions, but rather a dominant performance from the defense, who racked up five sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles—one of which they recovered.
Offensively, quarterback Bo Nix averaged an unfathomable 0.6 air yards per completion.
Seattle struck first with a field goal at 8:29 in the opening frame, but after back-to-back second quarter touchdowns from running backs J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey put the Broncos up 14-3, their defense was able to hold it down.
Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed fumbled on the ensuing drive, which resulted in a turnover and although Seattle’s defense forced a punt to give Darnold and company one more chance to put points up before halftime, nothing came of it.
However, the Seahawks defense turned a corner in the second half. They forced punts on all Denver’s possessions but the offensive inconsistency continued, with a missed 47-yard field goal from kicker Jason Myers to open the third quarter followed by two consecutive punts.
As a result, Nix and the Broncos remained in a position to control the clock and ultimately, they did. Even though they generated just two trips to the red zone all night, Sam Darnold’s costly interception in overtime set up Will Lutz’s game-winning field goal.
The saying is defense wins championships and if last night was any indication, it sure does.
