Chargers Race Past the Broncos 34-13

The Broncos needed to win and several other games to go their way in order to stay alive in playoff contention. They couldn't take care of business and lost to the Chargers 34-13. Below is the recap:

Broncos win the toss and defer to the 2nd half.

The Chargers began the game with the ball and moved efficiently down the field on a 7-play 55 yard drive capped off by an Austin Ekeler 3 yard TD run. The drive started with an impressive 47 kickoff return by Andre Roberts, giving the Chargers great field position to start the game.

Denver's offense took the field to start their drive at their own 25 yard line and put together a 9-play drive that ended when the Broncos attempted a 4th-and-6 in Chargers territory but Jerry Tillery sacked Drew Lock back at the Denver 47 to turn the ball over on downs.

With the Chargers 2nd offensive drive, yards were more difficult to come by as the Denver defense forced a 3-and-out with Los Angeles only gaining 2 yards. Pat Surtain had a brilliant pass breakup covering Keenan Allen on 3rd and 8.

Similar results, unfortunately, for the Broncos on their 2nd drive as they went three and out and were forced to punt. Initially, it seemed like Sutton got Asante Samuel Jr on a huge pass interference call but the refs decided to call offsetting PI calls on both and Denver only gained 5 yards on the drive.

The Broncos defense came up big again, forcing a 3-and-out by the Chargers offense. Meanwhile, Drew Lock headed to the locker room with a right shoulder injury and Brett Rypien would be taking snaps on the next offensive drive. After a false start, the Broncos offense went 3-and-out with Rypien as he was unable to hook up on either of his pass attempts.

On the Chargers next drive they finally got back in rhythm stringing together a 14-play drive but the Denver defense denied Herbert at the goal line on a quick screen to Josh Palmer so Los Angeles settled for a 19 yard field goal. Chargers now lead 10-0.

Drew Lock returned to the game, only missing on series, and on the first play hit Courtland Sutton down the left sideline for a 43 yard catch. Noah Fant added a catch and run for 17 yards to give the Broncos their best drive of the game. The Broncos offense went for it on 4th and goal from the 2 yard line but were denied on a gadget play where Kendell Hinton completed a short pass to Drew Lock.

The Denver defense forced a quick 3-and-out but the effort was wasted as Diontae Spencer fumbled the punt return and gave the ball right back to the Chargers offense.

Los Angeles made the Broncos pay for the turnover, stringing together an 11-play drive that was capped by a Justin Herbert to Keenan Allen 8-yard touchdown to put the Chargers up 17-0 before the half.

With 14 seconds left, Drew Lock completed a pass to Melvin Gordon who took it up the right sideline for 22 yards. After another quick completion, Brandon McManus connected on a career long 61-yard Field Goal as time expired in the first half. Chargers lead 17-3.

The Broncos offense got the ball to start the 3rd quarter and, after a couple of impressive runs by Melvin Gordon, were forced to punt the ball from midfield.

The Los Angeles offense took the field from their 17-yard line to start the drive. Aided by a 40-yard pass and catch to Austin Ekeler, the Chargers moved down the field all the way to the Broncos 1-yard line but were unable to punch it in. Dustin Hopkins converts a 23-yard FG to extend the Chargers lead, 20-3.

Now in a 3-score hole, the Broncos offense took the field and were able to put together an impressive drive all the way down to the Chargers 1 yard line but couldn't punch it in either, so Brandon McManus converted a 23-yard FG to pull the Broncos within 2 scores, 20-6.

The dam broke open on the kickoff when Andre Roberts returned it 101-yards (untouched) for a Chargers TD and a 27-6 lead.

The Broncos offense did little with the ball when they got it back so, after a punt, the Chargers didn't miss an opportunity to run it up as Justin Herbert hit Mike Williams down the left sideline for a 45-yard TD. The Chargers lead grew to 34-6.

Denver's offense was finally able to put together a touchdown drive as they went 75 yards on 6 plays and Drew Lock connected with Noah Fant for a 5 yard TD. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late and the Broncos suffered their 9th loss of the season, falling to the Chargers 34-13.

This loss officially ends the Broncos playoff chances so their final game of the season will be next Sunday, January 9th at 2:25pm MTN as they host the Kansas City Chiefs. Coverage on KOA begins at 8am MTN.

Postgame Interviews below with Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan and Vic Fangio and Drew Lock.