ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — On a chilly afternoon final December, a livid Brandon McManus ripped his helmet off and flung it to the bottom after Vic Fangio summoned him again to the sideline simply as he was about to aim a document 65-yard area aim.

When he got here again from halftime, McManus lined up on the precise spot and despatched the follow kick crusing by way of the uprights within the north finish zone, a not-so-subtle dig at Fangio for denying him an opportunity to finest Matt Prater’s document 64-yarder, which got here on the identical area six years earlier.

Fangio’s reasoning for doing so was twofold: 1 second left earlier than halftime wasn’t precisely desperation time and, extra importantly, he mentioned through the years he had seen kickers mess up their mechanics on additional lengthy makes an attempt.

”Does a Hail Mary change the best way a quarterback throws the ball?” retorted McManus after his 53-yarder as time expired gave Denver a 23-20 win over the Chargers that day.

Fangio’s fold continues to gasoline McManus, who has related on 15 of 17 area objectives since, together with two-game winners from 53 yards out.

His three area objectives final week in opposition to the Jets included a pair longer than 50 yards and earned him particular groups top-player honors within the AFC for the primary time in his seven-year NFL profession.

”There’s a number of constructive issues that come out of taking part in offended and mad,” McManus mentioned.

One in every of them is riches.

McManus signed a four-year, $17.2 million extension on the eve of the season, and thus far he is made six of seven makes an attempt together with his solely miss a 58-yarder.

His solely miss in 10 makes an attempt final season after Fangio denied him an opportunity to beat Prater’s mark was from 57 yards. However that got here on a day he accounted for 10 factors in Denver’s 16-15 win over the Raiders within the 2019 finale.

”I wished to aim that kick, as everyone knows, and I’ve to proceed to make every little thing beneath that to guarantee that he provides me that chance,” McManus mentioned.

Final week, McManus made all three of his area aim tries (40, 54, 53) and all 4 of his additional factors in a 37-28 win over the Jets through which he additionally was 8-for-Eight on kickoff touchbacks.

His 53-yarder with 3:08 remaining gave the Broncos a 30-28 lead they would not relinquish. It additionally gave him his fifth profession recreation with a number of 50-yard area objectives, one shy of Justin Tucker’s document six.

It additionally marked the second time in his profession he is related on a number of 50-yarders within the fourth quarter. The one different kickers ever to try this are Martin Gramatica (three) and Stephen Gostkowski (two).

”Each time I step on the sphere, I’ve the utmost confidence in myself to make the kick,” McManus mentioned. ”Generally it does not go that means, typically it does. This season thus far, particularly on the longer ones, I have been making an attempt to do higher at staying extra relaxed on the market, quite than be excited to kick them and getting too quick.”

LOCK’S STATUS

It is wanting an increasing number of like Brett Rypien will get his second begin when the Broncos (1-3) go to New England (2-2). Drew Lock (proper shoulder) practiced once more Thursday however Rypien bought a lot of the first-team work once more.

A part of Lock’s analysis, Fangio mentioned, is figuring out whether or not he is mentally and bodily able to take a success on his tender proper shoulder, one thing that may’t actually be identified till he will get again in a recreation.

Fangio mentioned Lock’s possibilities of taking part in this weekend would not improve if the NFL decides to delay Sunday’s recreation due to the Patriots’ COVID-19 instances.

”I do not assume 24 hours would make a lot of a distinction in that case,” Fangio mentioned.

CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS

Security Justin Simmons mentioned gamers are speaking concerning the Tennessee Titans’ coronavirus outbreak, its impact on enhanced security protocols and the likelihood it may derail the NFL season altogether.

Nevertheless, Simmons mentioned this disaster is one thing that was anticipated.

”Many of the guys that signed up for the season knew that there was going to be some sort of bumpy highway alongside the best way,” Simmons mentioned.

Notes: TE Noah Fant (excessive proper ankle sprain) and OLB Jeremiah Attaochu (thigh) missed follow once more Thursday and are questionable to face the Patriots.

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Comply with Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton

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