Paxton Lynch insisted the opponent supplied no additional incentive or motivation.

After spending final 12 months out of the NFL, Lynch had his personal motivation.

“I simply needed to indicate myself all of the exhausting work I had put in had paid off,” Lynch mentioned. “I had a protracted offseason principally. Whereas everybody else was taking part in I used to be at residence, I wasn’t taking part in, I used to be watching on TV. I used to be working exhausting. I used to be constructing myself up, believing in myself and attempting to get again to the place I used to be, and attempting to determine how I might do this.”

Lynch threw for one rating and ran for one more towards his former staff as a part of a powerful second-half efficiency, main the Seattle Seahawks to a 22-14 win over the Denver Broncos on Thursday night time.

Competing with Geno Smith for the backup job behind Russell Wilson, Lynch made up for some shaky moments through the first two weeks of coaching camp by main Seattle on a trio of second-half scoring drives utilizing each his arm and legs to maneuver Seattle’s offense.

Lynch was 11 of 15 for 109 yards and added one other 38 yard dashing. He hit 6-foot-5, undrafted free agent Jazz Ferguson on a 6-yard TD within the third quarter, and added a 9-yard landing run within the fourth quarter by bulling by way of Denver defenders on the aim line.

Lynch was a former first-round choose of the Broncos in 2016, solely to be launched earlier than the beginning of final season and spent the 12 months out of .

“He lit up the entire staff. It was actually good,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll mentioned.

Joe Flacco made his Denver debut, though it was a quick look for the Broncos’ beginning QB. Flacco performed only one sequence and accomplished three of Four passes for 19 yards, resulting in a area aim earlier than turning it over to backups Kevin Hogan and a prolonged have a look at rookie Drew Lock.

“Clearly you need to put the ball ultimately zone there, however we did some easy issues very effectively and it was undoubtedly good to get on the market and get live-action,” Flacco mentioned.

Lock struggled in his first outing final week towards Atlanta within the Corridor of Fame recreation, however was higher towards Seattle. Lock was 17 of 28 for 180 yards. He threw a 4-yard landing go to Devontae Jackson late within the fourth quarter, however was intercepted after being hit with 2:01 left.

“Clearly, it may be higher, however I believed he’d made progress this week each in follow and within the recreation and I believe it confirmed at occasions on the market,” Denver coach Vic Fangio mentioned. “However you already know, it is nonetheless a course of for him and I do not know the way lengthy it’ll take, however I believe this previous week and this recreation have been nice for him.”

Lynch and Smith cut up duties within the opener with Wilson spending the night as a spectator. Smith was requested to face a superb chunk of Denver’s beginning protection initially, together with Von Miller, however even towards reserves the night time was a battle for the veteran as Seattle’s reserve offensive line could not constantly give Smith time within the pocket.

Smith was three of 9 for 58 yards and a passer ranking of 56.7, though he practically had a 34-yard landing reference to DK Metcalf late within the first half solely to see the go tip off Metcalf’s outstretched fingers.

Lynch took over at halftime and led Seattle on a pair of third-quarter scoring drives, the primary resulting in a 43-yard area aim from Jason Myers and the second capped together with his strike to Ferguson.

Ferguson completed with 4 catches for 54 yards.

SMITH SURGERY

Carroll mentioned Smith will endure surgical procedure on Friday to have a cyst faraway from his knee. The surgical procedure is minor and Carroll mentioned there’s a likelihood Smith could possibly be again in time for Seattle’s subsequent preseason recreation on Aug. 18.

INJURIES

Denver misplaced rookie tight finish Austin Fort to an obvious left knee harm after making a 29-yard catch within the fourth quarter. Fort instantly grabbed at his knee after planting his foot and needed to be carted off the sector. Fangio mentioned Fort would get an MRI again in Denver.

Seattle picked up a pair of notable accidents to offensive sort out/tight finish George Fant and working again Bo Scarbrough. Fant left within the first half with what Carroll referred to as a “legit” proper ankle sprain after getting rolled up from behind whereas blocking downfield. Scarbrough, who was anticipated to get the majority of carries within the second half, injured his hand within the third quarter. X-rays on Scarbrough’s hand have been adverse.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Seahawks Duane Brown, Quinton Jefferson and Branden Jackson remained within the locker room through the nationwide anthem, earlier than becoming a member of their teammates on the sideline. It was a continuation of what the trio did through the anthem final season.

UP NEXT

Broncos: Denver will host San Francisco on Monday, Aug. 19.

Seahawks: Seattle travels to Minnesota on Sunday, Aug. 18.

———

Extra AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL