Obviously, the coach does not regret having bet everything on a field goal from 64 yards against the Seahawks.
Denver fell high Monday night in Seattle. Widely favorites, the Broncos let the Seahawks steal the victory (17-16). A result all the more disappointing as the Colorado franchise sent the jackpot to the Seahawks to recover Russell Wilson, who was therefore beaten for his first game by his replacement Geno Smith.
Beyond the fumbles lost and the penalties received, it is the management of the end of the match that is singled out in this defeat.
In the last two minutes, the visitors had the ball and a point behind their opponents. Faced with a 4th & 5 on the opposing 46 yards with timeouts available and a big minute to play, the Broncos decided to attempt a field goal from 64 yards, which Brandon McManus (K) failed to convert.
Despite the criticism, Nathaniel Hackett did not seem to regret.
“I was ready to try this distance because we were in 3&14 or 3&15″, explained the latter at a press conference. “Then I thought that Javonte (Williams, RB, editor’s note) had done an incredible action had put us within reach, at the place we were looking for (…) Obviously I would have preferred to be much closer. We were in a strange situation because we were within range and we were on our fourth attempt. “
14.2% chance of success
Hackett obviously has a broad definition of range since 64 yards is almost the record in the matter (66 yards), and the performance is made even more difficult by the open stadium that is Seattle’s Lumen Field.
McManus is an excellent kicker and his sufficiently powerful kick failed just left of the post. Still, such an attempt had, according to Next Gen Stats, 14.2% success.
“Brandon did his best,” defended Hackett. “I have full confidence in him, and if we had to put him in this situation again, I think he would be able to do it,” retained the new Denver coach.
Will the “Let Russ Cook” slogan flourish in Colorado?
This close.
📺: #DENvsSEA on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/54o9fOPBKO pic.twitter.com/aFh1JlpasF— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2022
