A member of the 12th Man shows off his custom-made mask. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren
The Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos 26-20 on Sunday afternoon at Century Link Field in an overtime nail-biter.That’s right, four quarters wasn’t enough to contain Sunday’s much-hyped game against the Broncos, the first regular season match-up between the two teams since Super Bowl XLVIII. But for most of the game, OT hardly seemed like a possibility, let alone a probability.Missed opportunities for both teams led to a disappointing 3-3 tie at the end of the first quarter. Seattle came alive in the second quarter, with QB Russell Wilson throwing two touchdown passes to Ricardo Lockette and Marshawn Lynch, respectively. The scores put Seattle up 17-3 going into the half, a lead that stuck through an uneventful third quarter.But the wheels started coming off for Seattle early in the fourth. Not even three minutes in, Wilson wound up sacked on his own one-yard line for a loss of seven. The sack set up Lynch to get mobbed by Denver defenders in the end-zone for a safety, cutting the Broncos deficit to twelve.Only two minutes later a deflection on a Wilson pass sent the ball into the hands of Denver’s Chris Harris Jr instead of Percy Harvin. Denver didn’t miss the opportunity to capitalize on their good fortune. A three-yard shovel pass from QB Peyton Manning to Julius Thomas resulted in a touchdown to complete the drive, narrowing the Hawks’ lead to only five. It seemed the horse was finally tamed late in the fourth, when Seattle safety Kam Chancellor intercepted a Manning pass intended for Wes Welker. Seattle converted the subsequent drive into a field goal, giving the Hawks what felt like a comfortable 8-point lead.But Manning wasn’t done. The veteran quarterback showed he’s still got it, orchestrating a precision-guided 80-yard drive in the last minute of regular play. Manning connected with Jacob Tamme on a 26-yard pass to the end zone with under 30 seconds on the clock, following it up with a successful two-point conversion pass to teammate Demaryius Thomas to improbably tie the game 20-20 with 18 seconds left on the clock. Seattle elected to take a knee after receiving, and into over-time we went.Seattle mercifully won the coin toss, electing to receive. And that’s when the fun began. Wilson, who’d been reluctant to deploy his trademark scramble in regular play, ran for 21 yards of the 80-yard drive. Completions to Harvin and Kearse kept it alive, along with key runs from Lynch. And indeed, it was Lynch, in full beast-mode, who clinched the win, running for six yards into the end zone.Check out our slideshow for all the game-day action.
Marines wait to take the field for the national anthem before the game. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren
Marshawn Lynch breaks a tackle for a gain. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren
Hawks’ receiver Doug Baldwin breaks a tackle and readies for another in the second quarter. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren
Russell Wilson throws a pass upfield in the third quarter. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren
Seattle fans mock Denver players as they head to the locker-room post-loss.
Seattle celebrates after beating Denver by six in overtime.
Marshawn Lynch makes his game-winning dive in overtime to beat Denver 26-20.
Wilson scrambles in overtime.
Demaryius Thomas drags two feet to complete the two-point conversion, tieing the game 20-20.
Denver connects with Jacob Tamme late in the fourth.
Peyton Manning throws a pass in the fourth quarter.
Seattle defensive end O’Brien Schofield asks the 12th Man to kick it up a notch as Denver rallies in the fourth.
Denver tight-end Julius Thomas scores a touchdown in the fourth. Seattle 17, Denver 12.
Denver players celebrate their safety as Lynch goes down early in the fourth quarter.
Seattle cornerback Marcus Burley breaks up a pass intended for Denver’s Wes Welker in the third.
Wilson receives a snap in the third quarter.
Marshawn Lynch celebrates his touchdown in the second quarter.
Denver running back Montee Ball fumbles the ball in the first quarter following a hit by Seattle’s Kam Chancellor.
Lynch attempts to break a tackle.
The SeaGals dance on field.
Lockette celebrates his touchdown.
Ricardo Lockette catches a 39-yard pass to the end-zone in the second quarter.
Hawks’ receiver Doug Baldwin is tackled by Denver CB Bradley Roby in the second quarter. Baldwin picked up 14 on the play.
Wilson throws a pass to Marshawn Lynch for 21 yards in the second half.
Marshawn Lynch breaks a tackle for a gain in the second quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles for a gain.
Broncos QB Peyton Manning throws a pass in the second quarter.
Denver’s Julius Thomas is unable to catch the ball in the end zone as Seattle’s Richard Sherman gives chase.
Seattle’s Byron Maxwell prepares to tackle Denver’s Emmanuel Sanders in the first quarter.
Seattle shuts down Denver’s Ball yet again. Seattle allowed only 36 rushing yards.
Fan celebrate Ball’s fumble, picked up by Seattle’s KJ Wright.
