Seahawks rally in Denver, then lose the game on the same old problem.

Seattle escaped an 11-point deficit Thursday night at Empower Field at Mile High, but it could not escape the consequences of another giveaway. Denver beat the Seahawks 17–14 in overtime on October 15, leaving Seattle with a second consecutive defeat and a 3–3 record.

Ja’Quan McMillian intercepted Sam Darnold in the extra period, and Wil Lutz finished the resulting opportunity with a 53-yard field goal. The Seahawks had done enough to extend the night. Their final offensive mistake made that recovery temporary.

How Seattle got back into it

Denver led 14–3 before Seattle’s late response. George Holani’s touchdown run and a successful two-point play brought the visitors within a field goal. Rashid Shaheed then supplied a 31-yard punt return that helped set up Jason Myers’ tying kick with three seconds remaining in regulation.

Darnold finished with 278 passing yards and two interceptions. Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught 12 passes for 134 yards, giving Seattle a dependable receiving outlet even as the offense struggled to turn possessions into points. The comeback showed that Seattle could still create pressure on Denver. The overtime ending showed how quickly that work could disappear.

Where the game was lost

The team’s official account, written by John Boyle, identifies three turnovers and five sacks as central problems. Seattle also allowed 17 quarterback hits. Those figures describe an offense repeatedly forced to recover from negative plays, with too few clean possessions to reward its defense.

Boyle’s assessment of protection is appropriately broader than blaming one position group. Blocking, the quarterback’s decisions and the responsibilities of other protectors all belong in that review. Our analysis: Seattle needs answers that reduce the frequency of difficult decisions, alongside better execution when those decisions arrive.

The defense’s recovery kept the contest available. Denver finished with only 168 total yards. That does not erase its early touchdown drives, but it establishes how much room Seattle had to win after the defense settled down.

Expectations and the conversation

In his October 15 Field Gulls recap, Mookie Alexander argues that Darnold’s recent play is directly costing Seattle games, while also identifying protection, rushing and play-calling concerns. That is a named commentator’s judgment, not a survey of supporters or evidence that the locker room has reached the same conclusion.

The practical expectation should be an offense that can preserve a competitive position without requiring a late rescue. A comeback is valuable; repeatedly needing one narrows the margin for a tipped ball, a missed block or a poor throw. Thursday provided another example of that cost.

What needs to improve

Our editorial priority is the connection between protection and ball security. Seattle should evaluate whether its quickest answers against pressure are clear enough, whether early-down choices create manageable follow-ups, and whether an unsuccessful play can end without becoming a possession-ending mistake.

The longer break before the next game offers time to work through those questions. It should not become an excuse to treat this loss as a short-week exception. The recurring issue is that useful stretches of football are being undermined by avoidable losses of possession.

What comes next

Seattle hosts Kansas City at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 25, with kickoff listed for 5:20 p.m. Pacific on the official schedule. Tight end Elijah Arroyo was listed as doubtful to return Thursday with a shoulder injury; that in-game designation does not establish his availability against the Chiefs.

Rain City Sports editorial desk. Game recap with editorial analysis; published October 16, 2026.

Sources

• Seattle Seahawks — John Boyle’s October 15 rapid reactions (checked 2026-10-16)
• Reuters — Denver wins in overtime, October 16 (checked 2026-10-16)
• Mookie Alexander, Field Gulls — October 15 game assessment (checked 2026-10-16)
• Seattle Seahawks — In-game injury update, October 15 (checked 2026-10-16)
• Seattle Seahawks — Official schedule (checked 2026-10-16)

Analysis and recommendations are the editorial desk’s interpretation. Reporting and attributed perspectives are linked above. Information is current as of the publication date.