Live In-Game Updates: FINAL: Broncos Miss 64-Yard FG, Seahawks Win 17-16
At long last, the Seattle Seahawks will finally play in Week 1.
But Monday night's matchup with the Denver Broncos isn't just any old season opener.
In case you were born yesterday, longtime Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson makes his return to Seattle for a Monday Night Football showdown against his old team, making for what should be an emotional game for both sides.
The Seahawks head into this game with quarterback Geno Smith as their official starter. He won the job over former Bronco Drew Lock during the preseason.
Monday's game will also give fans a chance to see other pieces in the blockbuster trade that sent Wilson to Denver. Tight end Noah Fant and defensive lineman Shelby Harris will make their debuts with their Seahawks debuts.
"I was fortunate to play there for 10 years. I know they'll be rowdy," Wilson said of his return. (See below for the boos.) "I know they'll be excited to know that it's Monday Night Football, so it'd be a special environment. Listen, I think I gave my heart and soul every day. I know nothing less."
Follow along with AllSeahawks.com as we provide in-game breaking news, live updates, and other extensive coverage of Monday night's bout between the Seahawks and Broncos.
FIRST QUARTER
The Seahawks receive the opening kickoff.
Smith completes his first pass of the season to Metcalf for a seven-yard gain before finding Tyler Lockett on third down for a 17-yard gain.
Metcalf makes another impressive grab on a dart from Smith, gaining nine yards this time.
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS: Smith evades third-down pressure and lofts a pass to tight end Will Dissly, who walks in untouched for a 38-yard touchdown. Seattle takes an early 7-0 lead.
change of possession
Russell Wilson now takes the field for the first time and is showered with boos from the 12th man.
Wilson completes a short pass to tight end Andrew Beck, who runs for a 25-yard gain.
Broncos running back Javonte Williams then picks up nine yards on his first carry of the game.
Wilson connects with Beck again, who makes an impressive one-handed catch on the sideline for a 27-yard gain.
FIELD GOAL BRONCOS: The Seattle defense holds strong in the red zone, forcing Denver kicker Brandon McManus in a 30-yard field goal, which he hits.
change of possession
Smith zips a pass to tight end Noah Fant for a 14-yard gain. Yardage was added on after an unnecessary roughness penalty on Denver.
Rashaad Penny bursts through the defense on two straight handoffs for 12 and four yards, respectively, before catching a pass for a four-yard gain.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Faced with a 4th and 1 right at the Denver six-yard line, Smith tried to sneak for the conversion but was stopped short by the Broncos defense.
change of possession
Williams rushes for 13 yards to begin the drive before Wilson completes two straight passes to tight end Albert Okwuegbunam for 12 and seven-yard gains, respectively.
END OF FIRST: Seahawks 7, Broncos 3
SECOND QUARTER
Wilson tries to scramble to begin the second quarter but Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu stops him on the sideline and gets the sack.
The Broncos were faced with a third-and-long, but the Seahawks brought pressure with safety Jamal Adams, who forced Wilson into a throw-away situation that was negated by an illegal formation anyway.
Seahawks running back Deejay Dallas nearly blocked the ensuing punt.
change of possession
Penny runs for a big 26-yard gain and is stripped at the end of the run, but the Seahawks recovered the fumble.
Smith scrambles for a seven-yard gain, but it's wiped away by a holding penalty.
The penalty was followed by a eight-yard loss from Metcalf, forcing Seattle into a field-goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL SEAHAWKS: Kicker Jason Myers nails a 49-yard field goal to extend Seattle's lead to 10-3 with 7:20 left in the half.
change of possession
Williams gets two straight touches to begin the drive, bringing up a 3rd and 2.
TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS: Wilson gets the first touchdown in his return, connecting with receiver Jerry Jeudy for a 67-yard touchdown to tie the game at 10-10.
change of possession
Smith finds receiver Marquise Goodwin for a 17-yard gain before connecting with tight end Colby Parkinson for an 18-yard gain.
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS: Right after his solid gain, Parkinson topped it off with a 25-yard touchdown, as the Seahawks took a 17-10 lead.
change of possession
Williams begins the next Denver drive with a 10-yard gain before catching a 13-yard screen pass.
After a big 30-yard gain from receiver Cortland Sutton, Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton came up with a crucial eight-yard loss on the sack.
FIELD GOAL BRONCOS: McManus nails a 40-yard attempt to make cut Seattle's lead to 17-13 headed into the half.
HALFTIME: Seahawks 17, Broncos 13
THIRD QUARTER
The Broncos received the second-half kickoff and almost went three-and-out, but Wilson found Sutton for two straight completions to keep the drive going.
Wilson targeted Sutton downfield a few plays later, but the pass drew a defensive pass interference penalty by the Seahawks.
FUMBLE RECOVERY SEAHAWKS: But despite the juicy field position, Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III fumbled at the one-yard line on 4th and goal, as the Seahawks took over.
change of possession
After a few penalties to start the drive, Metcalf came up with a strong 15-yard catch in the middle of the field.
FUMBLE RECOVERY BRONCOS: After his catch, Metcalf was met with a crowd of Bronco defenders and the ball poked out, as the Denver offense took over at the Seattle 32-yard line.
change of possession
FUMBLE RECOVERY SEAHAWKS: Another goal-line opportunity, another fumble by the Broncos, this time by Williams instead of Gordon. The Seattle offense takes over at the 20-yard line after a touchback.
change of possession
Smith connects with Lockett for two catches, the second of which went for nine yards and a first down on 3rd and 8.
Penny broke free for a 23-yard gain, but rookie tackle Abraham Lucas was called for holding.
Smith ended the third quarter with a 14-yard scramble to bring up a third-and-short.
END OF THIRD: Seahawks 17, Broncos 13
FOURTH QUARTER
Smith picked up where he left off in the third, picking up the first on a designed quarterback run to begin the fourth quarter.
But the Seahawks were stopped and punted for the first time all game.
change of possession
Faced with a 3rd and 4, Wilson found Sutton for a 17-yard gain to pick up the first.
Wilson connected with Jeudy on a short throw on the ensuing third down, as the former Alabama wideout ran for 18 yards.
FIELD GOAL BRONCOS: The Seattle goal-line defense continues its hot night, forcing a stop and another Denver field goal from McManus. The Seahawks still held a 17-16 lead.
change of possession
Broncos EDGE rusher Bradley Chubb gets home to Smith for a 10-yard sack on third down as the Seahawks go three-and-out.
change of possession
The Broncos nearly had a three-and-out of their own, but the challenge by Pete Carroll of the third-down spot failed, as the Seahawks lost a timeout. Denver advanced 10 more yards before the two-minute warning.
Wilson finds Williams for an eight-yard gain, as Denver converts the third-and-short.
But Barton broke the screen pass on the next play, taking down Williams for a four-yard loss with 1:13 remaining.
Williams got another catch and run on third-and-long, running for nine yards to bring up a decisive 4th and 5.
McManus attempted a 64-yard field goal for the win, but it barely missed to the left, as the Seahawks took over for a game-sealing kneel down.
FINAL: Seahawks 17, Broncos 16
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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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