The Broncos–Seahawks matchup on Monday Night Football was expected to be memorable for Russell Wilson’s return to Seattle.
But rookie Denver coach Nathaniel Hackett didn’t rely on his new franchise quarterback with the game hanging in the balance. Instead, trailing 17–16 near midfield in the final minute, he asked kicker Brandon McManus to bail his team out with a 64-yard field-goal attempt.
This, after letting the clock run … and run … and run … despite the Broncos possessing all three of their timeouts.
Hackett didn’t allow Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler, to work his magic on fourth-and-5 at the Seahawks’ 46-yard line with approximately a minute left in the game.
Instead, he let about 40 seconds tick off the clock, then called timeout and went for the 64-yard field-goal try at sea level.
The kick was offline, and reaction on social media was predictably unkind.
More NFL Coverage: