Without their respective starting running backs due to injury , the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts' offensives struggled mightily all night long in Week 5, as the visiting Colts slugged out a field goal-filled 12-9 win in overtime on "Thursday Night Football."
On the Denver side, more criticism has been thrown at head coach Nathaniel Hackett for some questionable decision-making, but fans are also beginning to grow frustrated with their new quarterback Russell Wilson.
The former Seattle Seahawks legend who was traded to the Broncos in the offseason finished the loss 21-for-39 with 274 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions while registering a 54.9 quarterback rating and suffering four sacks.
On the final play of the game, after the team elected to go for it on fourth-and-one from the Indianapolis five-yard line, Wilson looked to find favorite target Courtland Sutton in the end zone with a side-arm sling on a game-winning touchdown, but the play was broken up by former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.
In the immediate aftermath of the defeat, cameras caught fellow Denver wide receiver K.J. Hamler slamming his helmet into the ground in the back of the end zone in obvious frustration. Hamler talked with NFL Network's James Palmer following the contest about the final play.
Hamler told me he didn’t even hear the post game speech from coach Hackett because he was still standing on the field “trying to process everything” https://t.co/1X2psT6kYR
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) October 7, 2022
Pictures and video seemed to confirm that Hamler was indeed open for at least a first down, and very well could have strolled in for the game-winning score.
Hamler also told me that it was a good play call. He wasn’t the only guy open. They just have to find a way to execute in the redzone and finish. With what’s wrong in the redzone, Hamler said he doesn’t have that answer right now. https://t.co/1N8EEH5CYw
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) October 7, 2022
The third-year pro finished the contest with just one reception for 10 yards on two targets. Despite playing in all four games this season and seeing the field for 102 offensive snaps, Hamler has posted only two catches for 65 scoreless yards on four targets.
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