NFL: Orton sharp early, Hasselbeck better

SEATTLE — Kyle Orton's second preseason game as the Denver Broncos' starter was mostly a reassuring answer to his dismal debut. He completed 16 of his first 19 throws with a touchdown before he relapsed into another mistake.

Matt Hasselbeck was even better, completing 16 of 23 throws with two touchdowns in his two quarters. He also withstood the first hits on his recuperating back in nine months during the Seattle Seahawks' 27-13 win over Denver on Saturday night.

Hasselbeck, who missed nine games with a bad back last season, plopped a 34-yard touchdown pass into the arms of rookie Deon Butler on the opening possession. He closed his night with a sharp two-minute drive that ended with a 2-yard scoring throw on a perfectly timed fade route with new wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh just before halftime.

A prolonged "Hoooooshhhh!" hoot engulfed the stadium after the first of what Seattle fans expect to be many touchdown connections between Hasselbeck and the former Cincinnati Bengal, the top free-agent receiver in the offseason.

The Broncos left disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Marshall home.

One could almost hear the entire Rocky Mountain region exhale after Orton came out slinging from shotgun formation — and this time completed passes to those wearing the same uniforms. Last week at San Francisco, the former Bears starter had interceptions end each of his first three drives.

His touchdown was a 3-yard fade pass to Brandon Stokley. Stokley easily beat Josh Wilson, who is starting at cornerback because Seattle's Marcus Trufant has a disk issue in his back and has yet to practice in training camp.

Orton raised both hands triumphantly and pumped his fist after Stokley's catch. Coach Josh McDaniels was the second one to greet Orton coming off the field with a high five.

On the play before the touchdown, Seattle's Ken Lucas should have intercepted Orton's throw into the end zone but merely deflected it.

Orton was 3 for 3 on Denver's next drive, which was ruined by a clipping penalty that negated a 30-yard run to the Seahawks 10 by Peyton Hillis. Matt Prater kicked a 52-yard field goal to put the Broncos up 10-7 after one quarter.

Orton's third drive was a three-and-out, the last play a short pass thrown behind Chad Jackson.