Chargers-Broncos live game recap: Returns to action at Mile High

The Chargers (2-2) and Broncos (3-2) will face off today at Mile High Stadium. Both teams are fighting for sole second place in the AFC West behind the Kansas City Chiefs.

Justin Herbert just got an extended break with his ankle sprain, and both of his offensive tackles were able to recover and get back into shape in time for this important contest.

Defensively, the unit will be without Asante Samuel Jr., who was suddenly placed on injured reserve at the weekend. Who will take his place? We’ll have to wait until kick-off to find out. Still, the unit will have its usual stars, including rookie linebacker Junior Colson, who is returning from a nagging hamstring injury.

The Broncos also have one of the best defenses in the NFL. They ranked second to the Chargers in points allowed per game (14.6), while the offense also averaged the third-fewest yards per game (271.2). The Bolts rank fifth in this category, allowing 282.5 points per game.

So here’s hoping the Chargers’ offense can step it up a notch and stay on the field long enough to give the defense as much of a threat as it deserves this week. Otherwise we could face a repeat of the last two games.

For a full quarterly recap of today’s game, click here!

First quarter

The Chargers won the toss and elected to defer. The defense was up first.

Nix and the Broncos started things off on offense with back-to-back runs to Javonte Williams, both of which were suppressed by the Chargers’ defense. On third down, Nix uncorked a pass over the middle that was a little too high. The ball bounced off Marvin Mims’ fingers and fell directly into the hands of safety Elijah Molden, who caught the ball 25 yards to the Broncos’ 31-yard line.

The Chargers managed to push the ball to the one-yard line, but faced a fourth-and-goal. Jesse Minter, who served as head coach along with Jim Harbaugh in the locker room, chose to kick the field goal rather than attempt it. The kick gave the Bolts an early 3-0 lead.

On the other hand, the Broncos were stopped by another three-pointer by the Chargers’ defense. That momentum carried into the Bolts’ next offensive possession, as they marched 83 yards in just six plays, highlighted by a 40-yard catch-and-run from Joshua Palmer and a 38-yard touchdown pass to the rookie running back Kimani Vidal, who gave them the lead with five minutes to go, the lead was 10-0.

Thanks to a wild scramble by Nix, who somehow avoided numerous Chargers along the way and narrowly missed the sticks on the way out of bounds, the Broncos finally got their first first down of the game. The Chargers strengthened from there as Tarheeb Still ended the drive with a pass breakup on a deep shot just outside the end zone.

Second quarter

The Chargers began their drive with 1:50 remaining in the first quarter. They tied it 10 minutes, 29 seconds into the second quarter after authoring a 20-play drive that ended in another field goal by Cameron Dicker, giving Los Angeles a 13-0 lead.

Denver started the drive with a 13-yard carry from Williams. A few plays later, Nix hit wideout Courtland Sutton for another first down. On the very next play, Williams was tackled by defensive tackle Teair Tart, who also recovered and recovered the ball for the Chargers at the Denver 44-yard line.

On the third play of the ensuing drive, Herbert found McConkey on third-and-9 for the first down. Unfortunately, the newbie’s progress was slow, but he managed to get away on his own. McConkey was also evaluated for a concussion early in the game but returned after being cleared.

The Chargers, who were expected to receive the ball early in the second half, methodically marched down the field to get into field goal territory and secure at least a few points before halftime. Herbert took them to the four-yard line before JK Dobbins crossed the goal line from four yards out to increase the score to 20-0. It was Dobbins’ third score of the year.

In the final minute of the first half, Nix found a big lead through Sutton and got the Broncos into field goal range, but guard Quinn Meinerz had to save. The Chargers held on third-and-12 before receiving the punt and kneeling until the end of the clock to send both teams to the locker room.

Third quarter

The Chargers received the opening kickoff hoping to score points on both sides of the half. After converting a first down, the Denver defense went hard and forced the Chargers’ first punt of the day.

The Los Angeles defense continued to keep a tight grip on the Broncos offense. Aside from a miraculous fight by Nix to evade a Bud Dupree sack attempt, Denver struggled to move the ball effectively on the first drive of the second half.

Protected inside their own 10-yard line, the Chargers put together another long drive that included 11 plays and 56 yards. A sack by Herbert ended the drive just short of the end zone, but Dicker made it from 46 yards to extend the lead to 23-0.

Fourth quarter

With just over 10 minutes left in regulation, the Broncos found some life again with their first points of the game thanks to a short touchdown catch by rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin. The Chargers had actually forced Nix and the offense into a four-and-two, but the rookie passer pulled the defense over him with a scramble before throwing a pass over their heads to a wide-open receiver all the way The Chargers’ five-yard line rumbled into the goal before being brought down. The result narrowed LA’s lead to 23-7.

Denver’s defense forced a much-needed three-pointer on the Chargers’ next drive. With that momentum, Nix led them down the field on an eight-play, 64-yard drive that ended with a touchdown to Courtland Sutton. Rules analyst Gene Steratore expected the decision would be reversed, but officials stood by the finding. Denver went for two, but the speed sweep was nullified by Denzel Perryman and Daiyan Henley.

With 5:15 left in regulation, Herbert and the offense set about moving the ball and making Sean Payton waste his remaining timeouts. On second-and-2 from their own 38-yard line, Dobbins broke off a run down the left sideline for a 20-yard gain. From there, the Chargers were able to waste more time before JK Scott punted to pin Denver at their own four-yard line.

Needing 10 points to tie the game, the Broncos elected to kick the field goal after driving to the Chargers’ 22-yard line. That made it 23:16.

The onside kick attempt did not reach beyond 10 yards, resulting in a penalty for Denver, but an illegal formation penalty tied the flags and Denver got the chance to shoot again. This time the ball traveled 10 yards, but rolled out of bounds before anyone could pick it up.

From there, Herbert took a knee and the Chargers left Denver with a 23-16 victory over the Broncos.