Broncos Dominate the Chargers 28-13 in All Three Phases

The Denver Broncos entered the final 7 games of the season in the basement of the AFC West and needed to get a win at home against their division opponent the Los Angeles Chargers. It was a must win and, in all three phases, the team treated it as such, beating the Chargers 28-13. The recap is below:

The Broncos offense received the kickoff and possession of the ball first. Melvin Gordon got things started with a burst of 12 yards up the middle though it lead to a hip injury to the Broncos starting RB early on. The Broncos found some rhythm with a mix of Javonte Willams running with power and a nice completion over the middles to Jerry Jeudy but unfortunately, after a holding penalty on Cam Fleming backed them up to the Chargers 43 yard line, they were forced to punt.

A brilliant play on special teams, set the Chargers up at their own 1 yard line to start their first drive of the game. This proved to be valuable for the Denver defense as they forced the Chargers offense into a 3-and-out and punt from the Chargers 10 yard line. 

The Broncos began their 2nd drive from the 50 yard line. Good news for the Broncos, Melvin Gordon was back in the game after only missing a few plays in the last series. First play was a beautiful completion over the middle for 19 yards to Tim Patrick to the Chargers 31 yard line. Nice mix of run and pass including a clutch conversion by Courtland Sutton on 3rd and 4 lead to a Teddy Bridgewater 11 yard scramble touchdown, giving the Broncos a 7-0 lead.

The Chargers began their 2nd drive of the game with better field position at their own 25 yard line however the results were basically the same...a 3-and-out after an incredible athletic play by Baron Browning to deflect Justin Herbert's 3rd down passing attempt.

Los Angeles was forced to punt for a 2nd time and the Broncos would begin their 3rd drive from their own 25 yard line. Broncos catch a bit of a break on a ruled fumble by Teddy Bridgewater (overturned to incomplete pass) but the hit by Derwin James knocked the Denver starting QB out of the game. Drew Lock entered with a quick completion to Fant, followed by a fumble that luckily fell into the arms of Tim Patrick who was able to get the 1st down. Another injury to the Broncos offense suffered on the drive as the cart came out for Calvin Anderson. Now at midfield, the Broncos dominated to the end zone on the ground with big runs by Melvin Gordon and capping it off with 9 yard touchdown by Javonte Williams on 3rd and goal to give the Broncos a 14-0 lead.

The Chargers, now in a 14-0 hole, began their 3rd drive at their own 25 yard line. A promising drive for Los Angeles that spanned 10 plays and included a huge 3rd down conversion reception by Keenan Allen for 24 yards out, stalled in Broncos territory as the Chargers went for it on 4th and 2. Ronald Darby with a nice PBU on an attempt to Allen, setting the Broncos up with a 2 TD lead at their own 35 yard line. Unfortunately, the Broncos offense went 3-and-out, giving the Chargers another chance before halftime. After a Sam Martin punt, Los Angeles was set up for 4th drive at their own 14 yard line.

The Chargers were able to convert one first down before Stephen Weatherly sacked Justin Herbert, forcing what would eventually be an incompletion on 3rd down and a punt. Broncos take over at their own 38 yard line with 2:35 remaining in the 1st half. A disastrous mistake by Drew Lock as he threw an interception to Derwin James destroyed the Broncos momentum and allowed the Chargers right back into the game as Herbery orchestrated a 6 play, 45 yard touchdown drive, capping it off with a 12 yard completion to RB Austin Ekeler. Broncos lead cut 14-7. 

The Chargers opened the 2nd half with the ball, driving down the field on an over 7 minute drive. For Denver, the highlight of the drive came as McTelvin Agim sacking Herbert on 3rd and medium, forcing a 52-yard FG attempt by Dustin Hopkins. Hopkins missed a line drive attempt left and the Broncos breathed a sigh of relief as the score remained 14-7. Teddy Bridgewater, noticeably limping, returned to the game but the offense wasn't able to capitalize on the momentum shift, going 3-and-out, and punting the ball back to the Chargers where they would start their next drive at their own 22 yard line.

Once again, the Chargers move the ball methodically down the field, highlighted by a 4th and 4 conversion to Jalen Guyton to put Los Angeles in the Broncos Red Zone. At the start of the 4th quarter, Corey Linsley is called for an illegal man downfield penalty putting the Chargers at 3rd and 14. Denver needed a big play from the defense and 1st round rookie Pat Surtain came up huge with an interception in the end zone on a pass that was underthrown to Jared Cook. 

This time, the Broncos would take advantage of the huge momentum swing created by the Denver defense. A clutch 3rd down catch by Sutton, a brilliant screen to Javonte Williams a couple plays later, and the Broncos would have their biggest play of the day on a quick pass in the flat to Williams that he took upfield for 42 yards. The Broncos offense capitalized on the goal-to-go opportunity on a play fake TD pass to Eric Saubert, giving Denver a 21-7 lead with less than 9 minutes remaining.

Herbert, trailing by two scores again, took the field to try and get his team back into the game but Pat Surtain took a pass that went off the hands of Austin Ekeler 70 yards to the house for a pick-six! The Broncos extended their lead 28-7, with 7:28 remaining in the game.

The Chargers now faced with a tall task of getting 3 scores in the final 7+ minutes drove down the field again once again and were able to complete a jump ball touchdown in the back of the end zone to Jared Cook, cutting the Broncos lead 28-13. The Chargers went for two, but were unsuccessful.

The Broncos offense would keep the ball for the remainder of the game as they ran out the clock between Gordon and Williams, beating the Los Angeles Chargers 28-13 and pushing the Broncos record on the season to 6-5.

The Broncos next game will be on the road in primetime as they head to Kansas City for Sunday Night Football. Coverage on KOA starts at 12pm and kickoff is set for 6:15pm.

The postgame interviews from our broadcast are below. In order, Dave Logan with Vic Fangio, Teddy Bridgewater, Pat Surtain, and Susie Wargin with Eric Saubert.