NFL Hot Seats: Broncos' Nathaniel Hackett co-favorite to be first fired

Nathaniel Hackett's honeymoon phase in Denver lasted all of one regular season game, when he came under intense scrutiny for a questionable decision at the end of the Broncos' loss in Seattle.

The criticism has continued to build during the team's 2-3 start in which the offense has struggled mightily under new franchise quarterback Russell Wilson while Hackett has come under fire for his game management and play-calling.

The crescendo reached a new high following Denver's 12-9 overtime loss at home to Indianapolis on Thursday night.

Hackett was installed as the 1-2 favorite the next day by SportsBetting.ag to be the first NFL coach fired this season. The odds have since lengthened a bit, but only because there is another coach whose team has stumbled out of the gate with a new quarterback.

Hackett and Carolina's Matt Rhule are now co-favorites at +100 at the sportsbook, well ahead of the other 14 coaches being offered in the prop market.

First NFL Coach Fired Odds

Nathaniel Hackett, Broncos: +100

Matt Rhule, Panthers: +100

Frank Reich, Colts: +1000

Kliff Kingsbury, Cardinals: +1400

Ron Rivera, Commanders: +1600

Dan Campbell, Lions: +2000

Josh McDaniels, Raiders: +2200

Dennis Allen, Saints: +2800

Lovie Smith, Texans: +4000

Mike Tomlin, Steelers: +4000

Kevin Stefanski, Browns: +5500

Mike Vrabel, Titans: +4000

Matt Eberflus, Bears: +5000

Mike McCarthy, Cowboys: +5000

Robert Saleh, Jets: +5500

Pete Carroll, Seahawks: +6600

Hackett had been 6-1 at SportsBetting.ag before Thursday's loss, but the Broncos do have four extra days of rest before their Week 6 game at the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football."

"We've been working really hard," Hackett said Friday. "We've had a unique schedule with different -- whether it be short weeks, long weeks and things of that nature. For us, we have to take a breath a little bit to get re-energized.

"We're going to work and we're going to do what we have to do to be able to put the guys in the right position and find the right things to get these guys going. Put them in better positions to be open and better positions in the run game.

"We're here for the long haul this season. There's a lot left and a lot of room for improvement. That's what we're going to be focusing on."