Around the AFC West: Week 1 Shows Broncos Still Have Issues

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 11: Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts as he scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 11: Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts as he scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 28: Running back Javonte Williams #33 of the Denver Broncos runs with the football during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on November 28, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 28: Running back Javonte Williams #33 of the Denver Broncos runs with the football during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on November 28, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Denver Broncos

What a spectacularly awful debut for new head coach Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos with Hackett, their new franchise quarterback Russell Wilson, and a healthier team was to debut against Wilson’s old team, the Seattle Seahawks. Pundits across the league had already handed this team the Lombardi. But that’s why the games are played, right?

The Broncos were met with superman Geno Smith and a fumbling problem. Both Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams fumbled at the goal line leading to the game coming down to the final seconds. Inexplicably, Hackett decided that rather than leave the ball in the hands of their Super Bowl-winning, millions of dollars quarterback, he should hand it to Brandon McManus to try a 64-yard field goal – something he had never done.

This obviously did not go well for the Broncos, and we got to see many a picture of sad Broncos as the Seahawks walked to a 17-16 victory over the Broncos. On Tuesday, Hackett was asked about his decision and this is what he had to say:

Donkeys will always Donkey. Doesn’t matter who the head coach is.

The Broncos will look to right the ship next week against the probably not-good Houston Texans. I don’t know how to read the Texans right now because they were not supposed to be good, but then they went toe to toe with the Colts. We’ll see if Davis Mills can really compete with Russell Wilson, but I anticipate a Broncos win on Sunday.