INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In a sport that noticed one thing that hadn’t occurred within the NFL in 48 years, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers ended Thursday night time’s sport in the identical place they began — on the verge of creating the playoffs.
The Chargers overcame an 11-point second-half deficit to beat the Broncos 34-27 at SoFi Stadium, delaying Denver’s playoff return for no less than one other week whereas clinching the head-to-head tiebreaker in case the groups have the identical file on the finish of the season.
Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 284 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns for the Chargers, whose protection gave up three first-half touchdowns however stiffened within the second half. In the meantime, the Broncos had been affected by ill-timed penalties and are nonetheless ready to clinch their first playoff berth since 2015.
Listed here are a very powerful issues to know from Thursday night time for each groups:
The cliché of a “must-win sport” utilized by soccer aficionados felt becoming for the Chargers on Thursday. Not solely had they misplaced two straight video games, however they had been falling out of the playoff race, sliding right down to the seventh and ultimate playoff spot.
The night time started with the Chargers trying like they might expertise one other letdown in entrance of a prime-time viewers, one thing their fan base has grown accustomed to over time, because the Broncos acquired out to a 21-7 lead. However Herbert and the Chargers had different plans. L.A., which has been one of many worst second-half groups within the NFL this season, outscored the Broncos 21-6 within the ultimate two quarters.
Thursday’s win is probably essentially the most important of the Jim Harbaugh period in L.A. After solely 5 wins final season, the victory strikes the Chargers to sixth within the AFC and in pole place to be again within the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
QB breakdown: It has been an inconsistent season for Herbert. Accidents have stored him from getting in a rhythm, however he has had stretches the place he appeared like probably the greatest quarterbacks within the league. Thursday noticed either side of the quarterback, as Herbert threw an uncharacteristic interception deep in Broncos territory late within the first half earlier than making innumerable powerful throws within the second, together with a highlight-worthy throw rolling left with a defender draped on his physique to Derius Davis to provide the Chargers their first lead at 27-24 within the fourth quarter.
Herbert completed 23-of-30 with 284 yards, two landing passes and an interception. It was a reminder of Herbert’s expertise and the model of him the Chargers hope to get shifting ahead.
Troubling pattern: The Chargers had been thought-about one of many NFL’s finest defenses for a lot of this season, however the Tampa Bay Buccaneers put 40 factors on them in a Week 15 pasting. The struggles continued Thursday night time, because the Broncos scored on their first three drives, however the Chargers’ protection tightened up, permitting simply six factors for the rest of the sport.
Shocking efficiency: Operating again Gus Edwards had far and away his finest sport as a Charger, ending with 11 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Edwards’ 43-yard run within the fourth quarter successfully ended the sport, organising Herbert’s game-clinching landing go to Hassan Haskins. The 43-yarder was tied for the second-longest run of Edwards’ profession. — Kris Rhim
Subsequent sport: at New England Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 28)
Within the be-careful-what-you-wish-for division, the Broncos gave the enthusiastic thumbs-up to being the primary workforce flexed right into a Thursday night time sport and the primary workforce to play two Thursday night time street video games in a season.
They did it as a result of coach Sean Payton appreciated the concept that the Cincinnati Bengals — the Broncos’ subsequent opponent — could be flexed out of the slot and the Broncos would have an extended week to organize for subsequent week’s sport. However the Broncos did not deal with the enterprise proper in entrance of them.
With Denver having an opportunity to clinch its first playoff spot for the reason that franchise’s Tremendous Bowl 50 win, the Chargers rallied to get the win and sweep the Broncos. That loss strikes the Broncos right down to the No. 7 and ultimate playoff spot within the AFC behind the Chargers. The Broncos have subsequent Saturday’s sport in Cincinnati and the regular-season finale at house to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in entrance of them.
The Broncos had leads of 21-10 and 24-13, however a smattering of defensive penalties within the second half — together with an pointless roughness penalty on linebacker Justin Strnad for a success on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert on what turned out to be the Chargers’ go-ahead drive — had been expensive. The offense additionally slumped within the second half, delaying Denver’s playoff return by no less than just a few extra days.
Describe the sport in two phrases: Did not pay attention. Payton had written on his name sheet: “Run It!” And regardless of the Broncos’ early success on the bottom — they ran the ball on seven of 10 performs to attain a landing on their opening possession, they ran it simply 14 occasions the rest of the sport. Payton continues to wrestle to discover a rhythm within the run sport at the same time as he continues to say how vital will probably be for the Broncos.
Troubling pattern: Week after week, Payton has lamented the impression of premature Broncos penalties. That was a problem once more Thursday night time, because the Chargers acquired 9 factors straight because of penalties. Cornerback Tremon Smith was flagged for honest catch interference on what would have been the final play of the primary half. As a substitute, Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made a 57-yard honest catch free kick to finish the half.
Linebacker Justin Strnad was flagged for pointless roughness for a late hit on Herbert on what was a cease on a third-and-13 deep in Broncos territory. As a substitute of settling for a area purpose try, the Chargers scored a landing on the following play. Then edge rusher Jonathon Cooper was flagged for a horse-collar sort out early within the fourth quarter that stored a Chargers drive going — the Broncos additionally had two offside penalties on the identical drive — when Denver desperately wanted the ball again.
QB breakdown: Bo Nix got here into Thursday having thrown 5 interceptions within the earlier two video games. He had a detailed name within the third quarter, as operating again Javonte Williams held on to the ball simply lengthy sufficient earlier than Chargers security Derwin James Jr. wrestled it away from him on the bottom.
However whereas the tip consequence wasn’t what he wished, because the Broncos’ offense sputtered within the second half, Nix had zero turnovers on 29-of-40 passing for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Nix led Denver to a few landing drives to open the sport, one in all which was arrange by a 53-yard catch-and-run completion to Marvin Mims Jr., the workforce’s second completion of greater than 50 yards this season. — Jeff Legwold
Subsequent sport: at Cincinnati Bengals (4:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 28)
