Chargers’ comeback negates Broncos’ playoff win

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  • Kris Rhim

  • Jeff Legwold

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    Jeff Legwold

    ESPN Senior Writer

      Jeff Legwold is a senior writer covering the Denver Broncos and the NFL on ESPN. Jeff has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years, joining ESPN in 2013. He also assists with NFL draft coverage, including his annual top 100 prospects. Jeff has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999. He has attended every scouting combine since 1987.

December 20, 2024, 4:49 am

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – In a game that saw something that hadn’t happened in the NFL in 48 years, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers ended Thursday night’s game where they started – on the verge of making the playoffs.

The Chargers overcame an 11-point second-half deficit to beat the Broncos 34-27 at SoFi Stadium, delaying Denver’s playoff return for at least a week while clinching the head-to-head tiebreaker if the teams have the same record at the end of the season.

Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 284 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns for the Chargers, whose defense gave up three first-half touchdowns but stiffened in the second half. Meanwhile, the Broncos were plagued by bad penalties and are still waiting to clinch their first playoff berth since 2015.

Here are the key takeaways from Thursday night for both teams:

The cliché of a “must-win game” used by football fans felt apt for the Chargers on Thursday. Not only had they lost two games in a row, but they were falling out of the playoff race, sliding down to the seventh and final playoff spot.

The night began with the Chargers looking to experience another letdown in front of a prime-time crowd, something their fan base has grown accustomed to over the years, as the Broncos jumped out to a 21-7 lead. But Herbert and the Chargers had other plans. LA, which has been one of the worst second-half teams in the NFL this season, outscored the Broncos 24-6 over the final two quarters.

Thursday’s win may be the most significant of the Jim Harbaugh era in LA After just five wins last season, the victory moves the Chargers into sixth place in the AFC and in pole position to be back in the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

QB breakdown: It has been an inconsistent season for Herbert. Injuries have kept him from getting into a rhythm, but he has had stretches where he looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Thursday saw both sides of the quarterback as Herbert threw an uncharacteristic interception deep in Broncos territory late in the first half before making countless tough throws in the second, including a highlight-worthy throw that rolled left with a defender draped over his body to Darius Davis to give the Chargers their first lead at 27-24 in the fourth quarter.

Herbert finished 23-of-30 with 284 yards, two touchdown passes and an interception. It was a reminder of Herbert’s talent and the version of him the Chargers hope to develop moving forward.

Disturbing trend: The Chargers were considered one of the NFL’s best defenses for much of this season, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers put 40 points on them in Week 15. The struggles continued Thursday night as the Broncos scored on their first three drives, but the Chargers’ defense tightened up and allowed just six points for the rest of the game.

Surprising performance: Running back Gus Edwards had by far his best game as a Charger, finishing with 11 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Edwards’ 43-yard run in the fourth quarter effectively ended the game and set up Herbert’s game-clinching touchdown pass Hassan Haskins. The 43-yarder was tied for the second-longest run of Edwards’ career. — Kris Rhim

Next game: at New England Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 28)

In the be-what-you-wish-for department, the Broncos gave the enthusiastic thumbs up to being the first team flexed into a Thursday night game and the first team to play two Thursday night road games in a season.

They did it because coach Sean Payton liked the idea that the Cincinnati Bengals – the Broncos’ next opponent – would be drawn out of the slot and the Broncos would have a longer week to prepare for next week’s game. But the Broncos didn’t get the business right in front of them.

With Denver having a chance to clinch its first playoff berth since the franchise’s Super Bowl 50 win, the Chargers rallied to get the win and sweep the Broncos. That loss moves the Broncos down to no. 7 and last playoff spot in the AFC behind the Chargers. The Broncos have next Saturday’s game in Cincinnati and the regular season finale at home against the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of them.

The Broncos had leads of 21-10 and 24-13, but a handful of defensive penalties in the second half — including an unnecessary roughness penalty on linebacker Justin Strnad for a hit on the Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert on what turned out to be the Chargers’ go-ahead — were costly. The offense also slumped in the second half, delaying Denver’s playoff return by at least a few more days.

Describe the game in two words: Didn’t hear. Payton had written on his call sheet: “Run It!” And despite the Broncos’ early success on the ground — they ran the ball on seven of 10 plays to score a touchdown on their opening possession — they ran it just 14 times the rest of the game, continuing to struggle to find a rhythm in the run, though he continues to say how important it will be for the Broncos.

Disturbing trend: Week after week, Payton has lamented the impact of untimely Broncos penalties. It was a problem again Thursday night as the Chargers scored nine straight points off penalties. Cornerback Tremon Smith was flagged for fair catch interference on what would have been the final play of the first half. Instead, the kicker charges Cameron Dicker made a 57-yard fair catch free kick to end the half.

Linebacker Justin Strnad was flagged for unnecessary roughness for a late hit on Herbert on what was a stop on a third-and-13 deep in Broncos territory. Instead of settling for a field goal attempt, the Chargers scored a touchdown on the next play. Then edge rusher Jonathan Cooper was flagged for a horse-collar tackle early in the fourth quarter that kept a Chargers drive going — the Broncos also had two offsides penalties on the same drive — when Denver desperately needed the ball back.

QB breakdown: Bo Nix entered Thursday having thrown five interceptions in the previous two games. He had a close call in the third quarter as a running back Javonte Williams hung onto the ball just long enough before the Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. wrestled it away from him on the ground.

But even though the end result wasn’t what he wanted as the Broncos’ offense sputtered in the second half, Nix had zero turnovers on 29-of-40 passing for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Nix led Denver on three touchdown drives to open the game, one of which was set up by a 53-yard catch-and-run completion to Marvin Mims Jr., the team’s second completion of more than 50 yards this season. — Jeff Legwold

Next game: at Cincinnati Bengals (4:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 28)