The Broncos had their safety celebration on repeat before unraveling against the Seahawks.

A retooled defensive front scored two safeties in the second quarter alone.

Check the franchise record books: It was the 1982 season when Denver last buried two opponents in their own end zone during a single game. On Sunday, both took place within about seven minutes of clock in a 26-20 loss at Lumen Field.

“That’s how we’re always looking to start the game off, always creating momentum for us,” cornerback Pat Surtain told reporters in Seattle. “Obviously getting off to a good start, and just feeding energy toward the team.”

The first safety occurred when Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford got penalized for holding on a block against defensive end D.J. Jones behind the goal line. Elite punt coverage made the second safety possible.

Cornerback Tremon Smith scooped the football backward as he ran into the end zone. Safety JL Skinner was there at the 1-yard line to down it. Then defensive end Zach Allen and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper teamed up to tackle rookie running back Zach Charbonnet in the end zone.

Two plays that contributed four points to a 13-9 Broncos lead entering halftime.

Yet their advantage wouldn’t last.

“The momentum shifted there early in the third quarter,” coach Sean Payton told reporters in Seattle. “We struggled at that point. It took a while to get it back.”

The Seahawks offense soared in the second half with mostly ground production behind increased tempo. Running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 84 of his 103 yards over the final two quarters. His 23-yard touchdown run in the third put Seattle ahead for good.

It was difficult for the Broncos to appreciate a two-safety performance in a loss to begin the season.

“We still have a lot of things that we can show and things that we can get better at,” outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper said. “It was just that second half and as long as we address that … and clean up some things, we’re going to be a really solid defense. We can’t give up some runs as much as we did. That has to be an emphasis for us going into next week. And we’ll stay on that for the rest of the season.”

NFL TEAMS WITH MULTIPLE SAFETIES IN SAME GAME SINCE 2000

Sept. 8, 2024 — Broncos (x2) at Seahawks, 20-26 L

Dec. 3, 2017 — Dolphins (x2) vs. Broncos, 35-9 W

Nov. 6, 2011 — Rams (x2) at Cardinals, 13-19 L

Nov. 9, 2008 — Vikings (x2) vs. Packers, 28-27 W

Nov. 11, 2003 — Bills (x2) vs. Texans, 10-12 L

Oct. 5, 2003 — Vikings (x2) at Falcons, 39-26 W

Oct. 5, 2003 — Cowboys (x2) vs. Cardinals, 24-7 W