Los Angeles Chargers beat Denver Broncos to boost playoff chances in AFC West clash

The Los Angeles Chargers scored three touchdowns in the second half to overcome a double-digit deficit and defeat their AFC West rival Denver Broncos 34-27 Thursday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

With the win, the Chargers increased their playoff chances to 97%, according to NFL.com. Los Angeles can punch a playoff ticket if the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts both lose on Sunday.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert completed 23 of 31 throws for 284 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while running back Gus Edwards added 68 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

“Just a total team effort from everyone: defense, offense, special teams,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game. “The test and the challenge is how you will react. They returned to work and stayed the course.

Trailing 21-10 in the second quarter, the Chargers began their comeback by doing something that hadn’t been done in 48 years.

Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker converted a 57-yard field goal with no time left in the first half to go into the break with the score 21-13.

According to the NFL, if the kicking team interferes with a receiver who has signaled a fair catch, the receiving team will have the opportunity to extend the period by attempting a fair kick or through a snap from scrimmage after the application of any applicable penalties. .

On the previous play, Chargers punt returner Derius Davis was interfered with after calling a fair catch, resulting in a 15-yard fair catch interference penalty. LA then chose to go for a free kick basket.

“It’s my favorite rule in football. I just try to have one every game. This is the first one we’ve done, we tried one with the 49ers, I think it was like a 70 yarder or something… It’s my favorite rule and Cam Dicker stepped in and nailed it and I thought that was a huge, good push. . I got the momentum back at halftime.

In the second half, the Chargers continued to compose. After the Broncos scored a field goal, Herbert and the Chargers’ offense responded with a 10-play, 70-yard drive, ending with Edwards’ five-yard touchdown run to cut it short. the deficit at 24-19 after the successful extra point conversion.

Los Angeles took the lead early in the fourth quarter, after Herbert threw his first touchdown of the game, connecting with Davis on a 19-yard touchdown pass to give the Chargers a 27–24 lead.

A 34-yard touchdown pass from Herbert to Hassan Haskins with just under two and a half minutes remaining extended the Chargers’ advantage to 34-24 as Los Angeles held on for the victory.

With the loss, Denver’s chances of making the playoffs dropped to 85%, and the Broncos will have tough matchups to close out the regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) and Kansas City Chiefs (13- 1).

“Obviously, a disappointing loss,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said after the game. “It was disappointing because there was a lot at stake and we know we had a fast start, that encouraged me and then, unusually this season, we didn’t finish or play well enough in the half, both offensively and defensively.

“We credit Los Angeles for coming back and we didn’t make enough plays at the end.”

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