Frank Schwab Senior writer Updated Sun, October 11, 2026 at 11:54 PM UTC About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this story The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers were popular picks to win the AFC West this season. It didn't take long for that to look bad.
Sunday's game was between two teams that each have a multitude of issues. The Chargers' season is practically done after losing to the Broncos to fall to 0-5. No team has ever made the playoffs after an 0-5 start, and the Chargers still have a tough schedule ahead.
It's not like the Broncos look like a playoff team either, though they'll be happy to leave Los Angeles with a win and a 3-2 record.
Denver beat a severely decimated Chargers team 23-17, but it was a struggle. The offense, with head coach Sean Payton taking back play-calling from offensive coordinator Davis Webb after four largely ineffective games, still couldn't move the ball with any ease. Denver's defense came through, but the job was easier because the Chargers had to play multiple rookies on the offensive line due to injuries. The Broncos are 3-2, but haven't played to that level this season. Bo Nix had just 123 yards passing, Denver had just 224 as a team, but that was enough.
At least there's some hope for the Broncos. The Chargers are set to play out the string for about three months.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix didn't have a big game but did enough to help his team to a win over the Chargers.
The Broncos weren't reborn in the first half against the Chargers, even though Payton was back to calling plays. Though, in comparison to the first four games, it was better. Denver, which had 13 first-half points through four games, scored 10 before halftime on Sunday. The Broncos had just 129 yards, though.
That was still better than the Chargers. Playing without receiver Quentin Johnston, and offensive tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, and with receiver Ladd McConkey active but not playing due to injury, the Chargers had just 74 yards in the first half. The Chargers also lost receiver Tre Harris to a hamstring injury during the game.
The Broncos didn't do much to distance themselves and finally the Chargers caught up. Hayden Rucci, who had just 200 yards and one touchdown in his college career at Wisconsin and did not have a catch in his NFL career before Sunday, caught a 7-yard touchdown from Justin Herbert to tie the game.
The Broncos were playing a Chargers team that had an offensive line comprised mostly of rookies and a receiving crew that many fans couldn't recognize, and they still were tied 10-10 late in the third quarter.
The Chargers got a spark from an unexpected player. Kimani Vidal broke through several tackles on an impressive run and scored from 42 yards out to give Los Angeles a 17-10 lead late in the third quarter.
The Broncos got a big play from special teams when Marvin Mims Jr. returned a punt to the Chargers' 27-yard line. But the offense gained just 3 yards before Wil Lutz missed a 42-yard field goal. That's how things were going for the Broncos.
The Chargers couldn't take advantage. They were stuffed on a fourth-and-1 right after the missed field goal and Denver got the ball inside Chargers territory again. This time the Broncos did something with it. Courtland Sutton scored on a 5-yard touchdown catch to tie it.
The Broncos got a turnover when Herbert, behind a shoddy offensive line, fumbled on a sack. Denver moved it to the 1-yard line and chose to kick a field goal on fourth down for a 20-17 lead. Then Herbert threw an interception with 3:19 on a fourth down. Denver tacked on a field goal in the final two minutes after that. Denver sacked Herbert on the final play to end it.
The Chargers looked bad. Herbert didn't surpass 100 yards passing until the final minute of the game. The defense played well, but it wasn't enough. The Broncos will take it. Wins aren't easy for them to come by. For the 2026 Chargers, they haven't experienced a win at all.
The Chargers tried to mount a last drive comeback with no timeouts. L.A. spiked the ball with three seconds left on the 39-yard line.
On the final play of the game, Justin Herbert tried to but time to launch a ball, but he was sacked, which was a fitting ending for the way this game went. It was the fifth time that Hebert was sacked in this game.
Denver holds on for the win, moving to 3-2. L.A. remains winless after one of the season's biggest shocks and drops to 0-5.
Denver tried to eat as much clock as it could. After the drive stalled, Wil Lutz kicked a 36-yard field goal to put the Broncos up six points.
The Chargers will get the ball back with about a minute left in the game with no timeouts, trailing by six. Los Angeles, as a reminder, is still looking for its first win of the season.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh decided to go for it on fourth down with just over three minutes left in the game, trailing by three.
Justin Herbert dropped back and then threw a laser directly to a defender for an interception.
Denver takes over with a 3-point lead and already on the Broncos' side of the field.
After the Hebert fumble, the Chargers' defense held strong. Denver opted for a fourth-down field goal at the goal line rather than risking a touchdown.
Wil Lutz made the short kick and now the Broncos lead 20-17 with 5:07 left.
Justin Herbert was trying to get away from a sack. He was trying to get free of a defender holding his foot, but when he reached the ball down, it hit a teammate on the ground and popped out.
The Broncos offense finally got a spark. Quarterback Bo Nix fired a pass to the end zone and it found a wide open Courtland Sutton for a five-yard score.
Denver is now tied with L.A. at 17 with 8:53 left in the game.
Los Angeles tried to take advantage of Denver's missed field goal. After three plays, though, the Chargers had fourth and 1. Justin Herbert tried to keep it, but he was stuffed for a turnover.
Denver took over after a great punt return by Marvin Mims. The Broncos still technically went three-and-out though.
Will Lutz lined up for the 42-yard field goal, but he missed left.
The Chargers still lead 17-10 with 12:05 left in the game.
The Chargers responded to the Broncos' three-and-out with one of their own.
It ended with quarterback Justin Herbert getting sacked from behind. He got hit low and high.
Herbert hobbled to the sideline, but he hasn't gone into the medical tent yet.
The Chargers needed just one play for a 42-yard touchdown. The Broncos got the ball back, and then had a three-and-out. Denver is now 0-8 on its last eight third-down attempts.
Denver got the ball back after the Chargers' punt. On first down, Bo Nix tried to scramble but fumbled before hitting the ground.
Los Angeles got the ball back and needed just one play to score. Backup running back Kimani Vidal broke tackles all the way downfield and scored a 42-yard touchdown.
The Chargers lead 17-10 with 57 seconds left in the third quarter.
Los Angeles ran five plays, but after a penalty and two negative-yard rushes, it faced fourth-and-10. With 2:09 left in the third quarter and the game still tied 10-10, the Chargers elected to punt.
The injuries are mounting for the Chargers. L.A. was already without Quinton Johnston, and Ladd McConkey was active but expected to be on a heavy pitch count. Tre Harris is now questionable due to a hamstring injury.
Veteran linebacker Bud Dupree has already been ruled out with a neck injury.
The Broncos were unable to muster any offense after the Chargers' tied the game with Herbert's passing TD.
Denver went three-and-out and punted the ball back to L.A. with 4:08 left in the third quarter.
Los Angeles had the ball for 9:28 to open the second half. The Chargers ran 14 plays and gained 73 yards.
Justin Herbert took matters into his own hands and took over for a 24-yard run.
Later, he found a wide-open Hayden Ricci for the seven-yard score.
The game is tied 10-10 with 5:32 left in the third quarter.
Denver tried to muster some offense right before halftime but couldn't gain enough field position.
Heading into the break, the Broncos lead the Chargers 10-3. Los Angeles will get the ball out of halftime.
Denver ran a 14-play drive where it picked up 60 yards. The Broncos had the ball for 6:30, but the Chargers' defense finally held strong in the red zone.
Veteran kicker Wil Lutz kicked a 34-yard field goal for Denver to put the Broncos up 10-3 with 1:48 left before halftime.
Denver faced fourth and 1 on their own 44-yard line. Head coach Sean Payton opted to go for it.
Bo Nix took it up the middle for two yards and a fresh set of downs.
Los Angeles is on the board, but still trails Denver 7-3.
Cameron Dicker nailed a 42-yard field goal for the Chargers' first points of the game.
The defenses are showing out early for the Chargers and the Broncos, as neither offense has done much.
After Los Angeles punted after a four-play drive to begin the second quarter, Denver then went three-and-out. The Broncos punted it right back to the Chargers.
Source: Sport
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