After becoming one of the most consistent kickers in the NFL over the past two seasons, anyone watching the Denver Broncos thus far in the 2017 season had to be worried about the recent struggles from kicker Brandon McManus.
Right before the kickoff to the 2017 season, in efforts to keep McManus’ services in Denver, the Broncos inked him to a three-year extension worth $11.25 million, with $6 million guaranteed.
After averaging an impressive 85.6% field goal percentage over the 2015 and 2016 seasons, McManus got off to one of the worst starts since his rookie season. Before the Broncos’ week nine tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles, McManus was only 10-for-15 on field goals, missing various kicks from improbable long-distance drives to ‘gimmes’ less than 30 yards away.
Now, fans can rest a little easier as it appears the McManus of old has returned to the Broncos. While the offense as a whole struggled in the 51-23 blowout loss to the Eagles, Philadelphia-native McManus was red-hot throughout the duration of the game. McManus nailed three field goals from 52, 53 and 24 yards, respectively. He also hit both extra point attempts.
Not only did McManus look impressive in the stat sheets, but each of his kicks easily split the uprights, displaying the confidence and precision that appeared to be missing earlier in the season. McManus’ perfect game comes on a week after he went 2-2 on field goals against the Kansas City Chiefs last week.
In the midst of his early-season struggles, special teams coordinator Brock Olivo expressed confidence in his kicker saying that McManus was “a talent”, adding that he “has complete faith in ‘B-Mac’ [McManus].”
It appears that the faith he and the rest of the coaching staff had in McManus has paid off. Despite the offense’s status as a disaster area throughout the season, McManus appears to be hitting his stride as the Broncos reached the midway point of their season.
Next week, with the New England Patriots and five-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady coming to town, the Broncos will need every point possible if they plan on upsetting the defending Super Bowl champions. For that to happen, McManus will need to continue to be perfect when it matters most.
