Forget all the hand-wringing surrounding the Seattle Seahawks' final drive against Arizona, the botched timeout situation and ultimately Russell Wilson's last pass attempt that eluded the hands of Braylon Edwards at the goal line.
For all the focus on that one drive, there were plenty of other opportunities the Seahawks missed earlier in the 20-16 loss to the Cardinals.
"We were very disappointed because we came roaring back, made a great comeback in the game, took over the game momentumwise," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said Monday. "We finished with the ball ready to win the game. They know the truth of that and are very disappointed we let this one get away because this is a game we could have won. It was right there."
Of the 70 offensive plays the Seahawks ran on Sunday, 39 - including three successful field goals and one blocked kick - were run in Arizona's half of the field. Four times, Seattle started drives on Arizona's side, either the result of forced turnovers or stellar special-teams play from returner Leon Washington.
And yet all Seattle could do with that field position advantage was get three successful kicks from Steven Hauschka, one touchdown toss by Wilson and plenty of grumbling about the missed opportunities.
Now comes some stark reality. Not only are the Seahawks 0-1, but the next two games, even at home, might be even tougher - hosting Dallas on Sunday and Green Bay on Sept. 24.
Carroll was extremely disappointed in the play of the Seahawks' offensive line and the lack of time his rookie quarterback was given in the pocket. Wilson was sacked three times but was under constant siege by Arizona's barrage of blitzes and pressures.
MANNING SHOWS NO RUST IN RETURN
ENGLEWOOD, Colorado - Mike Tomlin needed only two words to describe the guy who ripped apart the Pittsburgh Steelers' defence in the Mile High City.
"He's Peyton," the coach said with a shrug.
He's Peyton Manning - and he's back.
Wearing orange for the first time since his playing days at the University of Tennessee, the former Indianapolis Colts star wasn't about to let a 20-month layoff for neck surgery wreck his opening night debut with the Denver Broncos.
Using the no-huddle, the four-time MVP led the Broncos on a trio of 80-yard touchdown drives and kept Ben Roethlisberger's troops guessing until the final whistle in a 31-19 victory.
