What the Hell Did Broncos Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett Do Against the Seahawks?
As the head coach of the Denver Broncos, Nathaniel Hackett may have a long career ahead of him, but his tenure has gotten off to a terrible start. Many were shocked by how Nathaniel Hackett’s first game as the Broncos’ new head coach ended. And not the good kind.
The Broncos gave up three players, three 2022 draught picks, including a first and a second-round pick, and a 2023 first and second-round pick in exchange for Russell Wilson, one of the best quarterbacks in football.
It was a significant trade and a sizable return for the Seahawks, who were giving away their franchise quarterback and Super Bowl-winning, nine-time Pro Bowler quarterback.
Nathaniel Hackett and his huge mistake vs Seattle Seahawks
The Broncos were driving with a 17-16 deficit during the team’s “Monday Night Football” game against the Seahawks, which also marked Russell Wilson’s return to Seattle. With 1:11 remaining, Wilson converted a third-and-14 into a fourth-and-5 while still possessing two timeouts by completing a short throw to Javonte Williams for nine yards.
This close.
📺: #DENvsSEA on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/54o9fOPBKO pic.twitter.com/aFh1JlpasF— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2022
This moved Denver to the Seahawks’ 46-yard line. Hackett made the decision not to let his offence, which included Wilson, the star of their big offseason deal, try for the first down.
Denver had 1:11 on the clock needing a FG…
and did not call another offensive play after this one
instead they settled for a 64-yd FG
what???? pic.twitter.com/1QlrhrfyLS
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 13, 2022
He decided to grab the lead instead by reducing the remaining time to 20 seconds, calling a timeout, and using Brandon McManus to try a 64-yard field goal.
Hackett had 2 options:
1. Ask a guy who had already thrown for 340 yards to throw for 5 more.
2. Ask a guy whose career-long FG was 61 to make from 64.
He chose Option No. 2.
This will be hard to live down.
— Chris Raybon (@ChrisRaybon) September 13, 2022
In the years that we have watched and reported on football, both at the college and NFL levels, we have witnessed some poor time management. This is among the worst, to be honest.
From our win probability calculator, @BryKno ran this:
Pass: 36.1% WP
Field Goal: 7.4% WPComplete insanity.
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) September 13, 2022
You have Russell Wilson, who you just paid approximately a bazillion dollars for, with plenty of time, three timeouts left right near midfield, and you dial up shoddy plays and burn the clock to 20 seconds to get to a fourth-and-five situation, only to have Brandon McManus attempt a 64-yard field goal in a non-dome/non-Denver altitude-aided situation.
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