Broncos Win, 17-9, but Kingdome Jinx Remains : AFC: Denver gets first victory at Seattle since 1989, but it loses Vance Johnson for season because of broken ankle.

John Elway got his first Kingdome victory since 1989 on Sunday, with a lot of help from the Denver Broncos’ defense.

The Broncos forced Seattle’s Rick Tuten to punt a club-record 12 times and Elway passed for one touchdown and directed Denver to a second in a 17-9 victory.

It also was Denver’s first two-game sweep over the Seahawks since 1989. The Broncos beat Seattle, 28-17, at Denver on Oct. 31.

Elway said the Seahawks defense had a lot to do with Denver’s past failures in the Kingdome, not the building.

“We haven’t had much success here,” Elway said. “But Seattle has a very strong defense. Their whole defense played great today and their secondary is as good as there is.”

Denver suffered a costly injury when it lost starting receiver Vance Johnson for the season with a fractured left ankle in the second quarter.

The Seahawks’ defense had almost as much success as Denver’s, forcing Tom Rouen to punt eight times.

Denver (7-4) stayed a game behind AFC West-leading Kansas City (8-3), which beat Buffalo, 23-7, Sunday. Seattle dropped to 5-6.

Ahead only 10-9, the Broncos drove 80 yards in eight plays for their second touchdown. Rod Bernstine scored on a two-yard run with 4:06 remaining.

The Broncos got the ball to the Seattle two on Dwayne Harper’s 35-yard pass interference penalty. Elway had kept the drive alive with an eight-yard run on a third-and-seven play to the Seattle 37.

Elway completed 20 of 37 for 226 yards despite being under strong pressure. He was sacked four times and intercepted once.

His 50-yard touchdown pass to Shannon Sharpe on the first play of the second quarter marked the 12th consecutive game Elway has passed for a touchdown.

Mirer was sacked six times and completed 17 of 37 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. Mirer has been sacked 35 times in 11 regular-season games.

Seattle finally got a touchdown with 7:55 left on Mirer’s 10-yard pass to Kelvin Martin to cut Denver’s lead to 10-9.

The Seahawks got a safety with 2:48 gone in the second half when Rod Stephens tackled Elway in the end zone on a six-yard sack.