INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Trailing 21-13 at halftime Thursday night against the Denver Broncos, some wondered if the Los Angeles Chargers had any resolve left after going through their worst four-quarter stretch of the season. But the Chargers put some doubts to rest, rallying back to defeat the Broncos 34-27 and getting closer to wrapping up a playoff spot.
Quarterback Justin Herbert passed for 284 yards and two touchdowns, including a go-ahead 19-yarder to Derius Davis early in the fourth quarter, showcasing incredible fortitude from the Chargers. With this victory, Los Angeles (9-6) significantly increased its chance of playoff eligibility to 97%, according to NFL statistics. The team can secure its second postseason appearance in three seasons with favorable outcomes on the last day of the regular season.
“It was a total team effort by everyone. It was phenomenal,” remarked Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. “The test and challenge is how you are going to respond. They went back to work and stayed the course.”
On the other hand, Denver (9-6) faced disappointment as they had the opportunity to clinch their playoff spot but instead saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. Broncos coach Sean Payton lamented, “Obviously, it's a disappointing loss. There was a lot at stake, and we know we didn't finish or play nearly well enough in the second half, both offensively and defensively.”
The game started positively for the Broncos, who scored on their first three drives and built what looked like a commanding lead. Quarterback Bo Nix played beautifully, throwing for two first-half touchdowns. An early 3-yard touchdown run by Audric Estime put them up 7-0, and the Broncos later extended their lead to 21-10.
Yet, the tide turned after Wil Lutz's 41-yard field goal midway through the third quarter gave the Broncos what seemed like a comfortable 24-13 advantage. Many felt they were well on their way to their first postseason berth since 2015. Nix completed 29 of 40 passes and revealed, “First three drives, 21 points, and then just kind of stalled.”
It was the Chargers who flipped the momentum. Gus Edwards scored off left end to get Los Angeles within 24-19, even if they failed on the subsequent two-point conversion attempt. The Chargers then seized control after Herbert's scrambling pass to Davis put them back on top. Herbert explained, “We had him on a little bubble out of the backfield. I scrambled out, saw the pressure and he just turned upfield and made an incredible play.”
Following Davis's touchdown, the Chargers successfully converted for two points, increasing their lead to 27-24. They solidified their grip on victory with another touchdown by Herbert to Hassan Haskins, allowing them to lead 34-24.
Denver, resilient until the end, narrowed the margin with Lutz’s 55-yard field goal but could not recover the onside kick, allowing the Chargers to celebrate their comeback needed to re-establish confidence after previous performance struggles.
Safety Derwin James took it upon himself to motivate the squad during halftime. “I feel like, as players, we need to take it upon ourselves. This is our team too,” he stated. “It was just, it’s time for us to play our best ball.” His message evidently instigated the change needed, and adjustments were made resulting in their impressive second-half performance.
This game also had historical significance for Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker, who made the first successful fair-catch kick in the NFL for the first time since 1976. Dicker executed the kick from 57 yards, pulling the Chargers closer at halftime, underlining the team's adaptability and innovation.
With the victory, the Chargers not only posed serious threats to their opponents but also were eyeing their playoff aspirations closely. The Broncos, though still holding onto a strong chance at the playoffs with 85%, face tough challenges down the road, needing to focus as they prepare for upcoming games against Cincinnati and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Heading to the last stretch of the season, both teams face pivotal matches, making each game incredibly consequential for their playoff chances. The Chargers will be aiming to maintain their momentum, riding high on confidence derived from this important win.
