The Broncos’ opening drive of the third quarter ended with a thud. Literally. On 4th-and-9 at Miami’s 15-yard line, Brandon McManus lined up for a seemingly routine 33-yard field goal.
But McManus hit the right upright, his third missed field goal on the season for Denver. The kick would have brought the Broncos within one (21-20), but instead the Dolphins got another opportunity to extend their lead, and they capitalized. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill found Jarvis Landry for a five-yard touchdown catch on the Dolphins’ subsequent drive, putting them up by 11.
The missed field goal by McManus inevitably revived comparisons to Matt Prater, who was following his four-game suspension and who has since signed with the Lions.
McManus came at a cheaper price tag, but Prater led the NFL last season by converting 25-of-26 field goals for a .962 success rate — including a 64-yard kick that broke a 43-year-old record. He is 9-of-12 for Detroit through Sunday.
(h/t/ Bleacher Report)
