LAS VEGAS — Having already made a season-best 55-yard field goal in Sunday’s first half against the Las Vegas Raiders, kicker Brandon McManus was wide left from the same distance with 13 seconds left in the third quarter of the Broncos’ 17-13 loss.
If good, McManus’ kick would have given the Broncos a 16-14 lead.
Confusion may have contributed to a rushed kick.
The Broncos started at their 42-yard line after defensive end Shelby Harris’ strip sack of Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. They crossed midfield on receiver Tim Patrick’s 13-yard catch, but faced a third-and-7 when two Javonte Williams rush attempts gained only three yards.
On third down, quarterback Drew Lock threw four yards to receiver Courtland Sutton, who appeared closer to the first-down marker than three yards short.
“They were late spotting it,” coach Vic Fangio said. “I wasn’t sure if it was fourth-and-1, fourth-and-2 (or) fourth-and-3. They were late putting the ball down and it happened on the other sideline. It put a delay in the action.”
After he missed the kick, McManus ripped off his helmet and exchanged words with Fangio on the sideline.
“Brandon was a little upset that they didn’t know early enough to go out there,” Fangio said. “There was nothing anybody could do. Wasn’t his fault. Wasn’t my fault. If it was a yard or less, I was going to go for it.”
Said Lock: “Personally, I thought the spot was going to be closer, too, from where (Sutton) caught it and how the play ended up.”
Footnotes. Cornerback Ronald Darby was shaken up in the second half but returned to the game. The Broncos did not report any other injuries. … Defensive end Dre’Mont Jones returned after missing the Cincinnati game with a foot injury, but DeShawn Williams started in his place. … Sam Martin had punts of 54 and 56 yards in the first half, but also a 28-yard attempt. … The Broncos’ plus-3 turnover differential was the second-best of Fangio’s tenure; they were plus-5 against Las Vegas last year and also lost. … Running back Melvin Gordon rushed seven times for minus-4 yards, the first time in his career he finished with negative yards.
