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Red zone is woe zone for Broncos in 17-16 opening-night defeat at Seattle

Quarterback Russell Wilson was 29-of-42 passing for 340 yards and one touchdown

  • Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos prepares to shake...

    Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos prepares to shake hands with head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks after the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos hugs head coach...

    Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos hugs head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks after the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • The Seattle Seahawks faithful make noise as Russell Wilson (3)...

    The Seattle Seahawks faithful make noise as Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos leads a failed game-winning drive during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Brandon McManus (8) of the Denver Broncos reacts to missing...

    Brandon McManus (8) of the Denver Broncos reacts to missing a 64-yard game-winning field goal attempt against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Javonte Williams (33) of the Denver Broncos runs as Jordyn...

    Javonte Williams (33) of the Denver Broncos runs as Jordyn Brooks (56) of the Seattle Seahawks misses a tackle during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos fires a pass...

    Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos fires a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Albert Okwuegbunam (85) of the Denver Broncos stretches for a...

    Albert Okwuegbunam (85) of the Denver Broncos stretches for a first down as Quandre Diggs (6) of the Seattle Seahawks makes the stop during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Head coach Nathaniel Hackett of the ...

    Head coach Nathaniel Hackett of the Denver Broncos works against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos forces a fumble,...

    Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos forces a fumble, while sacking Geno Smith (7) of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos fires a pass...

    Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos fires a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Jerry Jeudy (10) of the Denver Broncos runs after making...

    Jerry Jeudy (10) of the Denver Broncos runs after making a catch as Eric Tomlinson (87) leads with a block against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos works against the...

    Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos works against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Alex Singleton (49) and Ronald Darby (23) of the Denver...

    Alex Singleton (49) and Ronald Darby (23) of the Denver Broncos tackle Geno Smith (7) of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Ronald Darby (23) of the Denver Broncos tackles DK Metcalf...

    Ronald Darby (23) of the Denver Broncos tackles DK Metcalf (14) of the Seattle Seahawks seconds before K’Waun Williams (21) and Randy Gregory (5) join to strip the receiver of the ball during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Randy Gregory (5), K’Waun Williams (21) and Ronald Darby (23)...

    Randy Gregory (5), K’Waun Williams (21) and Ronald Darby (23) of the Denver Broncos force a fumble by DK Metcalf (14) of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of Seattle’s 17-16 win at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos scrambles against the...

    Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos scrambles against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Mike Jackson (30) of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Javonte Williams...

    Mike Jackson (30) of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Javonte Williams (33) of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Justin Simmons (31) of the Denver Broncos during the first...

    Justin Simmons (31) of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Courtland Sutton (14) of the Denver Broncos stiff arms Jordyn...

    Courtland Sutton (14) of the Denver Broncos stiff arms Jordyn Brooks (56) of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos drops back to...

    Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Randy Gregory (5) and Alex Singleton (49) of the Denver...

    Randy Gregory (5) and Alex Singleton (49) of the Denver Broncos line up against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Garett Bolles (72) of the Denver Broncos takes a moment...

    Garett Bolles (72) of the Denver Broncos takes a moment during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos takes the field...

    Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos takes the field before the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Mike Purcell (98), Randy Gregory (5) and Aaron Patrick (94)...

    Mike Purcell (98), Randy Gregory (5) and Aaron Patrick (94) of the Denver Broncos take the field before the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • Denver Broncos owners Carrie Walton-Penner and Greg Penner before the...

    Denver Broncos owners Carrie Walton-Penner and Greg Penner before the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

  • A fan holds a Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver...

    A fan holds a Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos jersey with a Seattle Seahawks Wilson jersey sewn to the opposite side before the first quarter at Lumen Field on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

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SEATTLE — When the Broncos started what they hoped was a game-winning drive to put an exclamation point on quarterback Russell Wilson’s debut with his new team and matchup against his old team, coach Nathaniel Hackett asked kicker Brandon McManus for his field-goal range.

Seattle 46-yard line, left hash.

And with that, the Broncos went to work with four minutes remaining, but due to equal parts poor execution and bad time management, they stalled at the — you guessed it — Seahawks 46-yard line and 20 seconds remaining.

Instead of putting the football in Wilson’s hands for a fourth-and-5 play, coach Nathaniel Hackett burned 40 seconds of the clock before sending out McManus, whose 64-yard attempt was wide right with 15 seconds remaining, allowing the Seahawks to escape with a 17-16 victory.

“They got me exactly that spot so I was ready and knew there was a good chance we would kick it,” said McManus, who is 1-of-8 in his career from beyond 60 yards. “It obviously feels good to have confidence in me to put me out there at 64, but I have to start making some of those long ones.”

The Broncos outgained Seattle 433-253, but never led in a game that will be remembered for their pathetic red zone performance (zero touchdowns in four trips, including two goal-line fumbles), the penalties (12 for 106 yards) and the chaos that was the offense’s pre-snap operation.

The Broncos went field goal, fumble on fourth down, fumble and field goal in the red zone.

“That’s the game,” center Lloyd Cushenberry said. “We have to finish from the 1-yard line. Throwing it in, running it in, we have to get six points. That’s why we lost.”

In his head-coaching debut, Hackett will be in the cross-hairs for his final-minute decision-making … and rightly so. Who was advising him on the sideline and in the headset? And was Hackett listening?

The Broncos moved to their 49-yard line with 1:24 remaining.

First down: Williams lost four yards when an under-pressure Wilson flipped him a pass. The clock stops at 1:13 because two Seattle players were injured.

Second down: Wilson throws incomplete into the ground after he was unable to pump fake the football. The clock read 1:11. Third down: Wilson threw to Williams in the left flat and Williams gained nine yards to the Seahawks’ 46.

But then things got wonky.

The Williams played ended at 1:03 and the 40-second play clock started at 1:00.

The Broncos took their time getting to the line of scrimmage and Wilson called timeout with 20 seconds remaining to avoid another delay-of-game penalty.

Hackett said afterward the plan was to always call timeout and send out McManus.

“I was expecting to go for it but Javonte made an incredible play to put us into field goal and the range we were looking for,” Hackett said.

McManus missed the kick and the Broncos missed a prime opportunity to start 1-0 for the seventh time in 10 years.

Instead, the Broncos were left to lament what went wrong.

“Turnovers, red zone, penalties,” Hackett said. “Bad deal.”

The red zone struggles merit a breakdown:

First quarter: The Broncos reached the 18-yard line, but committed a penalty and settled for a McManus 30-yard field goal.

Third quarter: On fourth down from the 1, running back Melvin Gordon was stopped short and fumbled. The Broncos had two delay of game penalties on this drive; they had two in 17 games last year.

Third quarter: On third down from the 1, Williams was stopped short and fumbled.

Fourth quarter: The Broncos reached the 3-yard line, but a Courtland Sutton false start penalty led to a McManus 26-yard field goal.

Add it up and the Broncos scored only six of a possible 28 points in the red zone. Pitiful.

“We just have to be better in the red zone and that starts with me,” Hackett said.

The Broncos played from behind nearly the entire game. The Seahawks led 7-0 (Will Dissly 38-yard touchdown catch), 10-3 (Jason Myers 49-yard field goal), 17-10 (Colby Parkinson 25-yard touchdown catch) before kicking two McManus field goals (40 and 26 yards).

Wilson was 29-of-42 passing for 340 yards and one touchdown. His Seattle replacement, Geno Smith, was 23 of 28 for 195 yards.

Wilson spread the football around to seven players, including 11 catches for 65 yards by Williams.

“Guess what: There are 16 more games to go,” Wilson said. “I’m looking forward to what we can do.”


Friends to enemies

For the 29th time in NFL history, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback faced the team he won his first Lombardi Trophy with when Russell Wilson took on the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. All told, those QBs are 16-12-1 vs. their old club, and 6-5 in their first meeting. Here’s a look at how each of those initial meetings went:

Quarterback, team Opponent Date C-A-TD-INT Yards Result
Joe Montana, Kansas City San Francisco 9/11/94 19-31-2-0 203 Won, 24-17
Comment: Chiefs went to AFC title game in Montana’s first season in KC, but lost in wild card in Year 2
Jim McMahon, Minnesota Chicago 9/12/93 23-29-1-0 173 Won, 10-7
Comment: Coming eight years after 85 Bears’ Super Bowl season, this was first of two wins vs. Chicago.
Jeff Hostetler, Oakland at N.Y. Giants 11/12/95 13-19-1-1 152 Won, 17-13
Comment: A Super Bowl winner after taking over as Phil Simms’ backup, Hostetler went 1-1-1 vs. NYG.
Mark Rypien, St. Louis Washington 12/17/95 34-50-1-1 347 Lost, 35-23
Comment: The uncle of Broncos backup quarterback Brett Rypien never recaptured his SB magic.
Kurt Warner, Arizona St. Louis 9/18/05 29-42-0-1 327 Lost 17-12
Comment: All told, Warner faced the Rams nine times as division rivals, winning seven of them.
Trent Dilfer, Cleveland at Baltimore 10/16/05 16-30-0-1 147 Lost, 16-3
Comment: Dilfer was the only QB to face his Super Bowl-winning club with two different teams. He lost both.
Brad Johnson, Dallas Tampa Bay 10/26/08 19-33-1-0 122 Won, 13-9
Comment: A backup in ’08, Johnson got the start against Bucs six years after they won SB together.
Brett Favre, Minnesota Green Bay 10/5/09 24-31-3-0 271 Won, 30-23
Comment: First of four meetings between Favre, Packers. He won first two. Aaron Rodgers took final two
Peyton Manning, Denver at Indianapolis 10/20/13 29-49-3-1 386 Lost, 33-29
Comment: PFM’s old club had his number, winning three of four meetings, including divisional playoff.
Tom Brady, Tampa Bay at New England 10/3/21 22-43-0-0 269 Won, 19-17
Comment: A year after winning a Super Bowl without Bill Belichick, TB12 beat him on the field.
Russell Wilson, Denver at Seattle 9/12/22 29-42-1-0 340 Lost, 17-16
Comment: The first game of the Wilson era ended with the franchise QB watching a 64-yard kick. Strange.