Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold cites turnovers after overtime loss to Broncos
Seattle fell 17-14 in overtime to Denver, with Darnold acknowledging his two interceptions as a key factor and pledging to improve ball security.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold said he bears responsibility for the team's overtime defeat to the Denver Broncos on Thursday night, after throwing two interceptions that contributed to the 17-14 loss. > "Can't turn the ball over, obviously that's at the forefront of my mind," Darnold told reporters. He added that repeatedly giving the ball away was unfair to the defense, special teams and the entire squad.
Head coach Mike Macdonald emphasized the need for better ball protection, noting that the quarterback was hit frequently throughout the game. Denver recorded 17 quarterback hits and five sacks against Seattle. The Seahawks' offense also struggled to establish a consistent running game after losing key backs in free agency and injury.
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp said the team shares responsibility for protecting the football and improving overall offensive execution. > "He's going to own that, because that's who he is, but we're not doing a good enough job offensively to allow him to play in rhythm," Kupp said.
The loss marked Seattle's third defeat of the season, all in close contests, leaving the team at a 3-3 record. Defensive lineman Leonard Williams noted the squad's difficulty in closing out games despite showing promise at times.
Macdonald concluded that the performance fell short of what is needed to win, stressing that while the quarterback leads the team, improvements are required across all phases of play.