INGLEWOOD, California – In a game that saw something that hadn't happened in the NFL in 48 years, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers finished 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 return to the playoffs for at least another week and securing the head-to-head tiebreaker in case of that the teams have the same record in the final. season finale.
Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter for the Chargers, whose defense allowed three touchdowns in the first half but stiffened in the second half. Meanwhile, the Broncos suffered untimely penalties and are still hoping to clinch their first playoff berth since 2015.
Here are the most important things to know coming into Thursday night for both teams:
The cliché of a “must-win game” used by football fans felt appropriate 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 to the seventh and final playoff spot.
The night began with the Chargers looking like they were going to experience another disappointment in front of a primetime audience, something their fan base has become accustomed to over the years, as the Broncos took a 21-7 lead. . But Herbert and the Chargers had other plans. Los Angeles, 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 victory is perhaps the most significant of the Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles. After just five wins last season, the victory moves the Chargers into sixth place in the AFC and into pole position to return to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
QB Breakdown: It's been an inconsistent season for Herbert. Injuries have kept him from getting into a rhythm, but he has had moments where he looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Thursday saw both sides of the quarterback, as Herbert threw a rare interception deep in Broncos territory late in the first half before making countless tough throws in the second, including a noteworthy throw rolling left with a defender wrapped around his body towards Derius 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 one interception. It was a reminder of Herbert's talent and the version of him the Chargers hope to have in the future.
Worrying trend: The Chargers were considered one of the NFL's best defenses for much of this season, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored 40 points on them in a Week 15 victory. The struggles continued Thursday night, when the Broncos scored on their first three drives, but the Chargers defense stiffened, allowing just six points the rest of the game.
Amazing 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, setting up Herbert's decisive touchdown pass to Hassan Haskins. The 43-yard run tied the second-longest run of Edwards' career. – Kris Rhim
Next match: at New England Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 28)
In the “be careful what you wish for” department, the Broncos gave enthusiastic approval to being the first team to play 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 out of the slot and the Broncos would have a longer week to prepare for next week's game. But the Broncos didn't handle the business in front of them.
With Denver having a chance to clinch its first playoff berth since the franchise's victory in Super Bowl 50, the Chargers rallied to claim the victory and sweep the Broncos. That loss puts the Broncos in the No. 7 and final 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.
The Broncos led 21-10 and 24-13, but took some defensive penalties in the second half, including an unnecessary roughness penalty on linebacker Justin Strnad for a hit on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in what They turned out to be the Chargers. ' the push for approval – were costly. The offense also fell off in the second half, delaying Denver's return to the playoffs for at least a few more days.
Describe the game in two words: I didn't listen. Payton had written on his call sheet: “Run!” And despite the Broncos' early success on the field (they ran the ball on seven of 10 plays to score a touchdown on their first possession), they ran the ball just 14 times. The rest of the game Payton continues to struggle to find a rhythm in the running game even as he continues to say how important he will be for the Broncos.
Worrying trend: Week after week, Payton has lamented the impact of the Broncos' ill-timed penalties. That was an issue again Thursday night, as the Chargers scored nine points directly as a result of the penalties. Cornerback Tremon Smith was called for fair catch interference on what would have been the last play of the first half. Instead, Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker hit a 57-yard free kick to end the half.
Linebacker Justin Strnad was called for unnecessary roughness for a late hit on Herbert on what was a third-and-13 stop in Broncos territory. Instead of settling for a field goal attempt, the Chargers scored a touchdown on the next play. Then running back Jonathon Cooper was called 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 return ball.
QB Breakdown: Bo Nix arrived Thursday having thrown five interceptions in the previous two games. It came close in the third quarter, when running back Javonte Williams held on to the ball long enough before Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. stripped it away on the ground.
But even though the end result wasn't what he wanted, when the Broncos' offense faltered in the second half, Nix didn't turn the ball over on 29 of 40 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Nix led Denver to 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 match: at Cincinnati Bengals (4:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 28)
