Broncos’ late rallies meet Seattle’s defense in Thursday night test

Seattle visits Denver at 8:15 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, with Prime Video carrying a matchup of two 3-2 teams. The Broncos have won three of their last four games. The Seahawks are coming off a 32-29 home loss to San Francisco.

Bo Nix faces a Seattle defense allowing an NFL-low 251.2 yards per game through five weeks, according to NFL.com's preview. The Seahawks also lead in passing yards allowed and yards allowed per play. Denver has scored 19.4 points per game, ranking 26th.

Nix has had trouble against pressure. Next Gen Stats figures cited by NFL.com put Seattle's pressure rate at 44.3 percent, second in the league. Nix has completed 35.4 percent of his passes under pressure and has yet to throw a touchdown in those situations this season.

Denver has still found ways to finish games. All three Broncos wins have required fourth-quarter comebacks, and their defense forced three turnovers in Sunday's 23-17 win over the Chargers. Those takeaways produced 13 points, the team's preview noted.

Sam Darnold has thrown five interceptions during Seattle's past three games. The Seahawks have eight giveaways in that span, including two running-back fumbles that San Francisco turned into touchdowns Sunday. Protecting the ball would spare Seattle from giving Denver the short fields that helped the Broncos win last week.

Denver's secondary will be missing cornerback Pat Surtain II and safety Talanoa Hufanga. Riley Moss is questionable. The Broncos elevated safety Taylor Rapp and defensive back Sean Fresch Jr. from the practice squad Thursday. Rapp has not appeared in a game for Denver; Fresch made his NFL debut last week and handled kickoff returns and special-teams snaps.

Seattle elevated receiver Irv Charles and linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo. Ciarlo adds depth with Drake Thomas and Chazz Surratt ruled out, while Charles returns after an ACL injury cost him the 2025 season. Both are set for their Seahawks debuts, the team reported.

Kickoff is at 6:15 p.m. Mountain in Denver, or 5:15 p.m. Pacific. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit have the Prime Video call, with Kaylee Hartung reporting from the sideline.

Sources

Broncos: Thursday night game preview

Seahawks: kickoff and broadcast details

NFL: Nix, Darnold and Denver’s secondary

Broncos: Rapp and Fresch elevated

Seahawks: Charles and Ciarlo elevated

NBC Sports: Denver adds two defensive backs