The Chargers pieced together a double-digit comeback in the second half, taking down the Broncos in a 34-27 battle on Thursday night.
Here’s our recap of Los Angeles’ Week 16 win.
It was over when…
Justin Herbert pitched the ball to Hassan Haskins, who ran for a 34-yard touchdown with 2:27 remaining to go up by 10.
Notable number
The Chargers swept the Broncos for the first time since the 2010 season.
3 stars of the game
- QB Justin Herbert: 281 yards, 2 passing touchdowns
- RB Gus Edwards: 2 rushing TDs
- WR Ladd McConkey: 6 catches, 87 yards
Quick hits
- Before their win, the Chargers had lost 13 straight games when trailing by double digits, the fifth-longest active streak in the NFL.
- Credit offensive coordinator Greg Roman for devising a game plan that resulted in 34 points against the league’s best defense.
- The Chargers totaled 380 yards, 263 passing and 117 rushing, averaging 6.2 yards per play. They went 3 of 4 in the red zone.
- Justin Herbert connected with ten different pass-catchers.
- According to Next Gen Stats, Herbert used play action on a career-high 47.2% of his dropbacks against Denver, finishing 12 of 15 for 155 yards with a play fake.
- Ladd McConkey led all receivers with 87 yards. Joshua Palmer was second with 41 yards on three catches.
- Before his 43-yard run, Gus Edwards was only averaging 1.9. yards per carry. Still, Edwards found the end zone twice, bringing his touchdown total to four on the season.
- After giving up three touchdowns in the first half, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter made some adjustments by dialing up and executing more pressure to mitigate the thin defensive backfield.
- In the second half, Los Angeles forced four punts, two of which were three-and-outs, on five of Denver’s possessions.
- Ryan Ficken, knowing the free-kick law, paid off as Cameron Dicker’s 57-yard field goal was good right before the half, the first free-kick FG since 1976.
- The Chargers now have a 97% chance to make the playoffs after the win.
What’s next?
The Chargers are back on the road to face the Patriots (3-11) on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 10:00 am PT.
