Broncos' Hackett: 'We definitely should have gone for it' on 4th down

Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett changed his tune on the decision to attempt a long field goal instead of going for it on fourth down in Monday's 17-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

"Looking back at it, we definitely should have gone for it," Hackett said Tuesday.

He added: "One of those things, you look back at it, (and) you say 'Of course, we should go for it, we missed the field goal.' But, in that situation, we had a plan. We knew (the 46-yard line) was the mark."

Hackett drew criticism after he opted for kicker Brandon McManus to attempt a potential game-winning 64-yard field goal on fourth-and-5 instead of keeping Russell Wilson and the offense on the field. Denver also allowed time to run following a third-down reception by Javonte Williams before Wilson called a timeout just before the play clock expired.

The first-year head coach added that there's no excuse for allowing the clock to drain, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR. He also explained that there are many people involved in the decision to attempt a field goal, but that responsibility belongs to him.

"In the end, it lies on me. I made the decision," Hackett said.

Hackett said following the game Monday that they opted for the field-goal attempt because it was in McManus' range.

Wilson, who was making his Broncos debut in the prime-time contest, also came to his coach's aid, telling reporters postgame that he didn't believe it was "the wrong decision."

Acquired from the Seahawks in an offseason trade, the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback received a cold response in his return to Seattle. He threw for 340 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions.

Hackett and the Broncos will now turn their focus to a Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans.

"I've already moved on forward," Hackett said, per Brandon Krisztal of KOA Colorado. "We've already started game planning; we've got to get to next week."

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