Broncos Nose Dive in Seattle, Lose 40-10 in Preseason Game No. 2

Wes Welker (83) dives and scores a touchdown after breaking a tackle attempted by Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner (39) during the 1st half at CenturyLink Field. (Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports)

For the Seattle Seahawks and the residents of the Emerald City, there really is no place like home.

The Seahawks went undefeated at home in 2012 and the streak continued in their 40-10 win against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos had not lost a preseason game by more than 20 points since 1994.

It was a clear and sunny day in normally gloomy Seattle. For the Broncos, the day couldn’t have been more dreary for the starters (except for Peyton Manning), who played all of the first half.

Right off the bat, the Broncos went three-and-out. Ok, no problem there. It’s just the beginning, right?. Then, on Seattle’s opening drive, the first problem came in the form of lights and sirens. An ambulance had to be brought out onto the field for defensive lineman Derek Wolfe. Wolfe was hit by an inadvertent block to the neck area and laid face down on the turf for several minutes as the medical staff attended to him. He could feel all extremities and X-rays were negative, but Wolfe is still waiting for MRI results.

Derek Wolfe (95) is carted off on a stretcher after getting injured during a play against the Seattle Seahawks during the 1st quarter at CenturyLink Field. (Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports)

Adding insult to injury, the Seahawks scored their first touchdown less than a minute later on a Russell Wilson to Jermaine Kearse connection.

Before halftime the Seahawks had scored touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams, making the score 33-7 at the midway point. The defensive touchdown came off a Ronnie Hillman fumble in the end zone, which Brandon Browner returned 106 yards. The special teams touchdown came when Kearse ran a kickoff back 107 yards.

It may be just a preseason game, but players are going to be sweating like pigs in a cuban restaurant on Monday morning in the film room. The first cut date comes Aug. 27.

One who won’t be squirming is Manning, who played in five series and went 11-for-16 for 163 yards and connected with Wes Welker for the touchdown. Tight end Julius Thomas also had a decent day, not counting his fumble. He had 4 catches for 70 yards.

After forcing four turnovers against the 49ers, the Broncos had four of their own, with three coming in the first half.

Brock Osweiler was the only other quarterback that played for the Broncos and he went 9-for-14 for 66 yards, but threw an interception late in the fourth quarter.

With Knowshon Moreno, C.J. Anderson, and Jeremiah Johnson sitting this one out, Hillman and Montee Ball got plenty of carries. Hillman had just 34 yards on 13 carries (2.6 avg.) while Ball had 6 carries for 28 yards (4.7 avg.).

If this is the Broncos’ one horrendous game of the entire season, then I think most of Broncos Country will gladly take it. Maybe this game was needed – a reminder not to accept the expectations of others.

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