We published a list of the most dubious coaching decisions made in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season on Sunday.
It was left to new Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett to outdo everyone else in Week 1 in terms of shady play calls.
The Broncos failed and fumbled in the red zone more frequently than anyone could have predicted in their 17-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
Russell Wilson, Denver's quarterback, completed 29 of 42 passes for 340 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
However, the crucial play that Wilson was prohibited from making was what ultimately determined the outcome.
Wilson connected with running back Javonte Williams for a nine-yard gain with 1:11 remaining in the contest, moving the ball to the Seattle 46-yard line.
Following a timeout exchange between the Broncos and Seahawks, Denver, who had two timeouts remaining, allowed the clock to reach 20 seconds.
Then, Brandon McManus, a rookie kicker under the direction of Nathaniel Hackett, was ordered to attempt a 64-yard field goal that had the distance but was missed to the left.
And with that, the quarterback for whom the Broncos had traded three players and a sizable number of draft picks was not given the ball at the most critical moment.