The Denver Broncos got off to a rare fast start in Los Angeles, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions and building a 21-10 lead over the Chargers. But they surrendered a rare free kick field goal as the first half came to a close, and it proved to be a turning point in the game.
Despite their strong start, the Broncos were unable to maintain their momentum in the second half. They were held scoreless, while the Chargers scored 17 unanswered points to take a 27-21 lead. The Broncos had several opportunities to regain the lead, but they were unable to capitalize on them.
The loss was a devastating blow to the Broncos, who were on the verge of clinching their first playoff berth since 2015. They had been playing some of their best football of the season, and a win over the Chargers would have all but guaranteed them a spot in the postseason. Instead, they will have to wait at least another week to see if they can clinch a playoff spot.
The Broncos’ breakdowns on both sides of the ball were a major factor in their loss. They were unable to stop the Chargers’ offense, which was led by quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, and he also ran for a score. The Broncos’ defense was unable to contain him, and they were also unable to generate any pressure on him.
On offense, the Broncos were unable to sustain any drives in the second half. They were held to just 34 total yards, and they were unable to score any points. The Chargers’ defense was able to shut down the Broncos’ running game, and they were also able to pressure quarterback Drew Lock. Lock was sacked several times, and he was also intercepted once.
The Broncos’ special teams unit also had a rough day. They surrendered a rare free kick field goal, which gave the Chargers a boost of momentum heading into the second half. They also had several other miscues, including a missed field goal and a punt that was returned for a significant gain.
Despite the loss, the Broncos are still in a good position to make the playoffs. They have a one-game lead over the Kansas City Chiefs, and they also have a tiebreaker over the Las Vegas Raiders. However, they will need to regroup and refocus if they want to make a deep run in the postseason. They will have to play better on both sides of the ball, and they will also need to improve their special teams play.
The Broncos will look to bounce back next week when they host the Detroit Lions. The Lions are a struggling team, and the Broncos should be able to beat them if they play to their potential. However, the Broncos cannot afford to take anything for granted. They need to come out and play a complete game, and they need to make sure that they are focused and ready to go.