In an Oregon quarterback battle, the veteran reminded the rookie who’s boss.
Justin Herbert’s Los Angeles Chargers dominated the second half en route to a 34-27 victory over Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos’ offense was firing on all cylinders from the start: Audric Estime found the end zone for the game’s first score, and Bo Nox threw touchdowns to two unlikely targets: Michael Burton and Devaughn Vele. Gus Edwards’ first-quarter touchdown tied the score, but the Chargers’ offense stalled afterward.
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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, #10, looks to pass in the first half against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium. (Images by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn)
Los Angeles got a break, however, as the Broncos were called for fair catch interference when time expired on their punt, giving the Chargers a “fair catch kick,” which Cameron Dicker nailed from 57 yards out. Thus, the Broncos led 21-13 at halftime. Surprisingly, the last successful kick catch was in 1976… by the San Diego Chargers.
Denver kicked a field goal early in the third quarter, but made a late drive on third down to give the Chargers the first goal. They took the lead and Edwards scored again, but his two-point conversion was no good, keeping the game 24-19 in favor of the Broncos.
However, after forcing a punt, Herbert found Derius Davis for a score, and Joshua Palmer made a great tip-toe grab for the two-point conversion, giving Los Angeles a 27-24 lead with 12:23 left.
CHARGERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OBSCURE NFL RULE WITH A SUCCESSFUL FREE THROW GOAL ON THE FIELD FOR THE LAST TIME IN 1976
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker, #11, kicks a field goal in the first half against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium. (Images by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn)
The Chargers were able to hold off the Broncos for the rest of the night, and after a big run by Herbert on third-and-10 with less than four minutes left, Los Angeles was able to waste even more time. A couple of plays later, Hassan Haskins ran into the end zone and Los Angeles had a 34-24 lead with 2:27 left.
The moment the Broncos were within field goal range, they punted to leave a seven-point deficit, valuing time over touchdown. However, his onside kick was unsuccessful and the Chargers were able to waste the rest of the clock to win.
In all, it was 21 unanswered points for the Chargers, who now sit in second place in the AFC West behind the Kansas City Chiefs (13-1), before that late field goal.
Herbert finished 23 of 31 with 284 yards and both of his touchdown passes. Ladd McConkey led the team with six receptions for 87 yards, and it was the eighth consecutive game in which the rookie had more than 50 yards receiving. He is one game away from tying the all-time rookie record set by Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014.
Nix impressed once again, going 29-for-40 with 263 yards.
Both teams completed passes to 10 different receivers – the 20 pass catchers combined are the most in the NFL this season.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, #10, throws a pass in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. (Images by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn)
The Chargers can make the playoffs, as their last two games are against the Patriots and Raiders, but both are on the road. As for Denver, it’s a tougher finish with Cincinnati and the Chiefs on the agenda.
