It turns out that attempting 64-yard game-winning field goals aren’t the way to go.
After a neck-and-neck first half where the Seattle Seahawks led 17-13, it took until the closing stages of the fourth quarter for the Denver Broncos to score to make it 17-16.
However, despite having Russell Wilson, three timeouts and around 50 seconds to keep the ball moving, the Broncos opted for Brandon McManus to attempt a 64-yard field goal on fourth-and-5 after running down the clock to 20 seconds. It had the distance to go through, but it fell wide.
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Here are some winners and losers for both teams from Monday’s thriller:
Winner: Geno Smith
Smith hasn’t been a regular starter in the NFL since 2014, and we all know how that turned out. But he turned in a solid display on Monday that was arguably a better performance than Wilson’s, despite the gap in passing yards. Smith threw for 195 yards on 23-for-28 passing with two touchdowns and a rating of 119.5. He started the game 17 of 18, and the Seahawks are now alone atop the NFC West.
Loser: Goal-line fumbles, Broncos’ red zone woes
San Francisco 49ers
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The Broncos could’ve, should’ve, would’ve won this game comfortably had it not been for fumbles near the goal line. One was from Melvin Gordon on a fourth-and-goal attempt and the other was from Javonte Williams on a third-and-goal. Denver finished the game 0-for-4 in the red zone with two field goals, which new head coach Nathaniel Hackett will desperately need to sort out.
Winner: Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy duo
Though Wilson and the passing game didn’t hit the gas until the second half, Sutton and Jeudy look primed for a breakout year now that they have a proven star under center. The duo combined for eight catches, 174 yards and a touchdown. Hackett needs to find more ways to get these two receivers the ball. Jeudy led the way with four catches for 102 yards and a 67-yard touchdown.
Loser: Nathaniel Hackett
He’s been mentioned under two different categories, so he gets his own here. Hackett has plenty of work to do after an underwhelming head coaching debut. From a lack of discipline regarding penalties to uninspiring play-calling to poor late-game clock management, a good chunk of the blame for the Broncos’ loss should head Hackett’s way. But for a first-time coach, it should prove to be a valuable learning experience going forward.
Winner: Throwback names
You might have heard it on the broadcast, but the Seahawks have two players with the same names as some icons: cornerbacks Michael Jackson and Coby Bryant. Jackson clocked out with a solid showing as he logged one tackle for loss and one pass defended. Bryant, however, was on the wrong end of Jeudy’s long touchdown.
Honorable mentions
Loser: Broncos’ penalties – 12 for 106 yards
Winner: Javonte Williams’ receiving help – 11 catches for 65 yards
Loser: Tyler Lockett’s stats – three catches for 28 yards
Winner: Bradley Chubb – two sacks to start a contract year