Schefter: ‘Zero problem’ with Broncos 62-yard attempt vs. Chiefs
Nov 29, 2016, 4:42 AM
Of the five longest field goals in NFL history, three of them occurred in the thin air Denver either for or against the Broncos.
In 1998, Jason Elam tied Tom Dempsey’s longtime league record with a 63-yarder. More than a decade later, in 2011, Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski also knocked through a 63-yard field goal against Denver.
And the record, a 64-yarder from then-Broncos kicker Matt Prater in December 2013.
So a 62-yard attempt, much like kicker Brandon McManus’ for the win in overtime Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, isn’t out of the normal at Mile High
And ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, on with 104.3 The Fan’s “The Drive” on Monday, pointed to those examples in backing up Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak’s decision to try to go for the win off McManus’ foot Sunday despite the cold and sub-optimal timing.
“I had zero problems with trying that kick. Zero problems,” Schefter said. “To me, that was the right call. I don’t know how many Brandon McManus would make and miss if he took 10 of those kicks. He’d probably make four or five of them, maybe more.”
After the game, McManus said he’d make that kick eight or nine times out of 10.
“I kicked the ground and with that distance you can’t kick the ground. I can probably make that kick eight or nine out of 10 times, so I’m disappointed in that,” McManus said. “When you’re that far, you just want to hit a good ball and give it a chance. From that distance, if you kick the ground you probably have a 5 percent chance to make it.”
During his Monday morning press conference, Kubiak said the decision not only showed confidence in McManus to pull off the kick but also the defense to hold Kansas City if he didn’t.
“He did it before the game. I know it’s tough. I know it’s a tough kick, but it’s something he’s done. It’s me showing confidence in him and confidence in our defense if it doesn’t happen,” Kubiak said. “I believe in our football team. We’re going out there to battle our tails off and try to win a football game. That’s what I was trying to do.”
Kubiak said that perhaps if Denver had more timeouts in the game a different decision could have been made, but punting in that situation means they would be either going for the tie or the loss.
“If you’re punting you’re saying, ‘OK, we’re punting the ball away and we’re accepting defeat or tie,’” Schefter said. “I hate that. Take a shot.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
