The Denver Broncos outlasted the Seattle Seahawks for a hard-fought 17-14 victory in a tightly contested 2026 NFL Regular Season matchup on Sunday. Separated by just three points at the final whistle, both clubs traded defensive stands throughout an intense afternoon in Denver. Ultimately, the Broncos made enough timely plays to protect their home turf and secure the win.
Points came at a premium as both defensive units limited explosive scoring opportunities from start to finish. Seattle moved the ball behind Sam Darnold, who finished the contest with 278 yards, while Michael Dickson contributed 217 yards for the Seahawks. On the other side, Jeremy Crawshaw paced Denver with 395 yards, helping the Broncos control field position in a game where every yard mattered.
The decisive moment
In a matchup defined by razor-thin margins, Denver ability to capitalize in scoring territory proved to be the difference. J.K. Dobbins delivered a crucial spark for the Broncos, recording 41 yards and finding the end zone for a touchdown. With Denver holding a three-point advantage in the final result, the Broncos defense stood firm down the stretch to keep Seattle from evening the score.
By the numbers
- Final Score: Denver Broncos 17, Seattle Seahawks 14
- Margin of Victory: 3 points
- Jeremy Crawshaw (Denver Broncos): 395 yards, 0 touchdowns
- Sam Darnold (Seattle Seahawks): 278 yards, 0 touchdowns
- Michael Dickson (Seattle Seahawks): 217 yards, 0 touchdowns
- J.K. Dobbins (Denver Broncos): 41 yards, 1 touchdown
The statistical breakdown reflects a physical, field-position battle in which yardage was earned the hard way and red-zone execution separated the two rosters. While Darnold generated 278 yards for Seattle, keeping him out of the end zone allowed Denver to prevail on the strength of its three-point edge.
What it means
Both rosters navigated notable absences during the contest, with Seattle playing without Zach Charbonnet due to a knee injury alongside inactive Montorie Foster Jr., while Jalen Milroe was out by coach's decision. Denver also managed depth adjustments of its own, as Talanoa Hufanga and Tyler Onyedim were inactive and Sam Ehlinger remained out by coach's decision. Pulling out a three-point victory despite those absences underscores Denver resilience in close games during the 2026 NFL Regular Season.
What to watch next
Looking ahead, the Broncos will aim to build on their composure in tight fourth-quarter situations as the 2026 NFL Regular Season continues. Meanwhile, the Seahawks will focus on converting their yardage into touchdowns and monitoring the health of Zach Charbonnet ahead of their next outing.