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As the Broncos took on the Chargers in the opening game of Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season, one could sense the winds of change blowing across the AFC West. This division has been dominated by the Kansas City Chiefs for the last few years, which is not a surprise since they have been the best team in the league during that time.
However, the other franchises have struggled. The Broncos and the Chargers did not make the playoffs last season but they have been revitalized in 2024. They are both likely to make it past the regular season but this match was a skirmish between two teams still looking to fortify their positions.
Denver came into this game with a 9-5 record with rookie quarterback Bo Nix developing every game. Sean Payton has helped turn the franchise around after Russell Wilson's acrimonious departure in the offseason. Meanwhile, Jim Harbaugh has come into Los Angeles and made them a more stable team, leading them to an 8-6 record.
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The Chargers knew a win here would put them level with their visitors tonight, whereas the Broncos came with the knowledge that a victory would allow them to pull two games ahead of their hosts and cement their playoff spot.
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Here is how the action unfolded.
Broncos vs. Chargers box scores
Broncos Box Score
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Defense
Fumbles
Kicking
Chargers Box Score
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Receiving
Defense
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Kicking
Broncos vs. Chargers game summary
The Broncos defense forced the Chargers to punt on the game's first possession and then followed it up with a touchdown. Audric Estime went in from close range after a methodical drive by Bo Nix to go up 7-0.
However, if anyone thought that the hosts would just roll over, they were soon disabused of that notion. Justin Hebert responded with a drive of their own that culminated in Gus Edwards entering the endzone to tie the scores.
Sean Payton had this offense purring and the lead was 14-7 right at the beginning of the second quarter. This time, Bo Nix threw a rolling pass to fullback Michael Burton after a drive where they barely broke a sweat. Justin Herbert led a good drive into the red zone but a 3rd-and-1 play blew up and Jim Harbaugh elected to take the points through a field goal to make it 14-10.
If the Chargers' head coach took that decision thinking that his defense would be able to come and slow the Broncos' offense, that did not work out. Marvin Mims Jr. caught a pass behind the line of scrimmage in the midfield and took it all the way to make it 1st-and-goal. Devaughn Vele caught a touchdown pass from Bo Nix on second down to make it 21-10.
Things went from bad to worse for Los Angeles after they were forced to punt on their next drive. But Joey Bosa came in for the next drive determined to change the course of the game and sacked Bo Nix for eight yards. Denver could not overcome that and had to punt for the first time in this match.
However, Justin Herbert could not take advantage as he got intercepted at the goal line just when it looked like they might conjure a touchdown to end their possession.
The Chargers did get some luck with a free-catch interference penalty after forcing the Broncos to punt as the clock reached triple zeros. It set up a free kick on an untimed down, something the broadcaster revealed that we have not seen since 1976. It led to a 57-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker to make the halftime score 21-13.
The Los Angeles defense came out firing in the second half and wanted to make amends for allowing three straight Denver touchdowns to start this game. Their pass rush got going and their run defense stepped up. The Broncos received the ball to open the half and could only get a field goal to make the score 24-13. The Chargers came back with a touchdown drive when Gus Edwards ran it in on a first down. The two-point conversion failure made it 24-19.
Denver had to punt again on their next possession and Joe Herbert took charge on the next drive to give Los Angeles the lead. Derius Davis caught the touchdown pass before a phenomenal Joshua Palmer catch on the two-point conversion gave the home team a 27-24 lead in the fourth quarter. The Broncos had to punt twice more after that with one from the Chargers also sandwiched in between.
There was still everything to play for with four minutes remaining and two phenomenal rushing plays gave Los Angeles some breathing room in their next possession. Justin Herbert converted a third down to a first after rushing when they were backed up in their end zone.
Gus Edwards followed that up with a mammoth 43-yard run. Hassan Haskins put the cherry on the top with a receiving touchdown to make the score 34-24.
The Broncos could only get a field goal in reply to make it 34-27 with less than a minute remaining. They attempted an onside kick, which failed and gave Los Angeles the ball and an opportunity to see out the game.
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