Chargers vs. Broncos highlights: LA surges past Denver to close in on playoff berth
Week 16’s iteration of “Thursday Night Football” was all Denver Broncos ... until it wasn’t.
The Los Angeles Chargers came back from an 11-point deficit to take home the prime-time win, 34-27. To complete the comeback, they excelled in all phases of the game.
Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 284 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Los Angeles’ offensive play-makers also combined for 117 rushing yards — including 28 from Herbert and two rushing touchdowns — both of which were from tailback Gus Edwards.
Defensively, the Chargers were able to create chaos in their pass-rush, particularly in the second half, and kept Broncos quarterback Bo Nix out of rhythm.
And on special teams, Los Angeles accomplished something no team had since 1976: scored three points on a fair-catch kick. It was the first time any team had attempted such a play since 2019, and kicker Cameron Dicker’s 57-yarder was the longest successful attempt in NFL history.
The Chargers now hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Broncos with their second win over Denver this season. The win also boosted Los Angeles’ playoff odds to 97%, according to NFL.com.
For the Broncos, the loss slightly hurt their playoff chances. However, they still remain on the right side of the playoff bubble and have an 85% chance to make the postseason.
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Chargers vs. Broncos highlights
Chargers' Nick Niemann recovers onside kick attempt
Nick Niemann, a linebacker and member of Los Angeles' hands team, was able to hold onto the high-bouncing kick by his fingertips.
The Chargers take over possession with 57 seconds left and will try to kneel out the clock.
Chargers 34, Broncos 27: Denver moves to within a score with long field goal
Will Lutz pulled his team back within one score on his second field goal of the night. The 55-yard kick was Lutz's longest made field goal of the year.
With under one minute to play, he'll attempt an onside kick to keep the Broncos' winning hopes alive
Chargers 34, Broncos 24: Hassan Haskins scores on long catch-and-run
Just two plays after Gus Edwards' explosive, 43-yard play put the Chargers in Denver territory, Hassan Haskins broke away on a 34-yard catch-and-run off of a screen pass.
The score gave Los Angeles its first two-score lead of the night.
The Chargers, who once trailed by 11 points in the third quarter, now lead, 34-24. There are just under two minutes left to play as the Broncos drive.
Gus Edwards breaks away on 43-yard run
Edwards, who had already scored two touchdowns, had the Chargers' most explosive play of the night when he broke through multiple tackles for a long run. The play advanced Los Angeles from its own 26 to Denver's 31.
Chargers 27, Broncos 24: Derius Davis gives the Chargers their first lead
Derius Davis, a second-year receiver, scored the first receiving touchdown of his NFL career on a 19-yard bullet pass from quarterback Justin Herbert. It was the second touchdown of Davis' career including a punt return score he had as a rookie.
Joshua Palmer added some extra juice with a nice, one-handed snag in the back of the end zone for a two-point conversion.
It's 27-24 Chargers with 12:23 left to play.
Broncos 24, Chargers 19: Gus Edwards scores second touchdown of night
It's a five-point game after veteran running back Gus Edwards hit pay dirt from five yards out and the Chargers failed their two-point conversion attempt.
The Broncos still lead, 24-19, with under three minutes to go in the third quarter.
Broncos 24, Chargers 13: Will Lutz extends Broncos lead to 11
Will Lutz attempted his first field goal of the night from 41 yards out and knocked it through for the three points, giving Denver another two-score lead.
The Broncos hold a 24-13 with 8:31 left in the third quarter.
Denzel Perryman questionable to return
Near the start of the second half, the Chargers announced that linebacker Denzel Perryman is questionable to return to action after sustaining a groin injury.
Troy Dye is listed as the linebacker behind him on the depth chart.
Broncos 21, Chargers 13: Cameron Dicker connects on fair-catch kick
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh dug deep into the rule book for the final points of the first half. A 15-yard fair-catch interference penalty against the Broncos on a punt with no time left on the clock in the first half. The half can't end on a defensive penalty, so the Chargers had an opportunity for an untimed down with 0:00 on the clock.
Harbaugh sent Cameron Dicker out to attempt a fair-catch kick. No Broncos players were allowed to rush and the play looked similar to a traditional kickoff, though from midfield and Dicker aiming for the uprights. Dicker's 57-yard attempt was good, and it was the first successful free kick in the NFL since 1976. It also was the longest fair-catch kick in NFL history.
Ray Wersching was the last kicker to successfully make a fair-catch field goal, doing so for the Chargers against the Bills on Nov. 21, 1976. Between Wersching's free kick field goal and that of Dicker on Thursday night, NFL kickers were 0-9 on such attempts.
Rookie CB Kris Abrams-Draine intercepts Justin Herbert
It's all about the rookies for Denver tonight! Kris Abrams-Draine, filling in for the injured Riley Moss, was the latest first-year to make an impact against the Chargers.
The cornerback read Justin Herbert's throw perfectly and secured the takeaway for the Broncos just in front of the goal line. It gave Denver the ball once again on its own 18 and less than a minute to play.
Broncos 21, Chargers 10: Devaughn Vele's second career touchdown extends Denver lead
Devaughn Vele, the seventh-round rookie out of Utah, caught a 6-yard pass from quarterback Bo Nix to give the Broncos a two-score lead. It was the final piece of a six-play drive in which Denver only attempted passing plays.
It's 21-10 Broncos with 6:22 in the second quarter.
Broncos 14, Chargers 10: Cameron Dicker good on 37-yard field goal
Broncos defensive end Zach Allen brought down running back Gus Edwards behind the line of scrimmage on a third-and-inches play. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh opted to try the field goal on the ensuing fourth-and-3, and Cameron Dicker converted on his first field goal chance of the night.
It's 14-10 Broncos with under nine minutes to play in the first half.
Broncos 14, Chargers 7: Michael Burton puts the Broncos back in front
Denver fullback Michael Burton ran a short out route to the flat, and quarterback Bo Nix made the easy toss for a 1-yard touchdown. It was the third score of the 10-year veteran's career and second in three weeks.
The Broncos lead, 14-7, with just over 12 minutes to go until halftime.
End of first quarter: Broncos 7, Chargers 7
Both teams have one rushing touchdown through 15 minutes: Rookie Audric Estime has it for the Broncos, and veteran Gus Edwards was responsible for the Chargers'.
Denver has the ball on the Los Angeles 33-yard line on first-and-10 to begin the second quarter.
Broncos 7, Chargers 7: Gus Edwards evens things up on the Chargers' second drive
Los Angeles running back Gus Edwards drove his way through a pile and leaned forward for his third touchdown of the year. It also brought his team back even with Denver just one drive after the Broncos took an early lead.
It's 7-7 with three minutes left in the first quarter.
Marcus Maye questionable to return
Chargers safety Marcus Maye, who was filling in for Elijah Molden, headed to the locker room to receive X-rays on his ankle. The team designated him as questionable for the remainder of the game.
Los Angeles' safety depth will be tested further with Molden hurt, Maye now questionable and Alohi Gillman on IR.
Broncos 7, Chargers 0: Audric Estime nearly untouched on first career touchdown
Audric Estime, the Broncos' rookie running back out of Notre Dame, followed his blockers on a 3-yard touchdown run. His first career score was the finishing touch on a 10-play, 72-yard drive by Denver to open the scoring.
It's 7-0 Broncos halfway through the first quarter.
Chargers vs. Broncos start time
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
The Chargers and Broncos game will kick off Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season with "Thursday Night Football" at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Chargers vs. Broncos TV channel
Live stream: Amazon Prime Video
"Thursday Night Football" will be exclusively available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Watch "Thursday Night Football" with an Amazon Prime Video subscription
Who are the 'Thursday Night Football' announcers for Amazon Prime Video?
Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth for Prime Video, with Kaylee Hartung (sideline) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) providing additional coverage.
The Prime Video pregame, halftime and postgame shows feature Charissa Thompson as host, as well as former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.
Taylor Rooks is the feature reporter for Prime Video's "Thursday Night Football" coverage. Albert Breer provides reports and analysis.
Playoff clinching scenarios for TNF
The Broncos clinch playoff berth with:
- Win or tie
- Dolphins loss or tie + Bengals loss or tie + Colts loss or tie
The Chargers clinch a playoff berth with:
- Win + Dolphins loss or tie + Colts loss or tie
- Tie + Dolphins loss + Colts loss + Bengals loss or tie
➤ Playoff picture entering Week 16
Chargers inactives vs. Broncos
- QB Easton Stick (emergency third QB)
- CB Cam Hart
- CB Elijah Molden
- LB Shaquille Quarterman
- OL Brenden Jaimes
- OL Jordan McFadden
- TE Will Dissly
Broncos inactives vs. Chargers
- QB Zach Wilson (emergency third QB)
- CB Riley Moss
- RB Jaleel McLaughlin
- CB Levi Wallace
- LB Levelle Bailey
- OT Frank Crum
- DE Matt Henningsen
Chargers vs. Broncos picks, predictions
Here's how the Paste BN Sports staff feels the Week 16 "TNF" matchup between the Chargers and Broncos will shape up:
- Tyler Dragon: Chargers 23, Broncos 19
- Jordan Mendoza: Broncos 20, Chargers 16
Chargers vs. Broncos odds, moneyline, over/under
The Chargers are favorites to defeat the Broncos, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.
- Spread: Chargers (-2.5)
- Moneyline: Chargers (-145); Broncos (+120)
- Over/under: 41
Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Thursday Night Football odds and Monday Night Football odds.
New to sports betting? Paste BN readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites.
FEELING LUCKY? Here are the best parlay bets and odds for NFL games this week
Thursday Night Football best bets
Looking to make the “TNF” game a little bit more interesting? Here are some of the best bets for tonight’s Chargers-Broncos tilt. All odds are via BetMGM as of Thursday.
- Ladd McConkey, OVER 66.5 receiving yards (-115)
- Kimani Vidal UNDER 40.5 rushing + receiving yards (-115)
- Courtland Sutton anytime TD (+180)
Where is Chargers vs. Broncos?
The “TNF” matchup between the Chargers and Broncos is taking place in Inglewood, California, at SoFi Stadium.
SoFi Stadium, which also is the home for the Los Angeles Rams, opened in 2020. SoFi Stadium hosted Super Bowl 56 — the first Super Bowl held in the Los Angeles area since the 1992 season — in which the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals. That season (2021), SoFi Stadium became the first NFL stadium to host a conference championship game and the Super Bowl in the same season. The Rams also were the second team to play a Super Bowl (following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 55) in their home stadium.
➤ Ranking NFL's stadiums from 1 to 30: Where does SoFi Stadium rate?
Chargers vs. Broncos weather updates
It's going to be a beautiful evening in Inglewood, California. According to the Weather Channel, it will be near 70 degrees at kickoff. This game will be played indoors at SoFi Stadium, so Mother Nature will not have a role in this game.
AFC West standings
- y - Kansas City Chiefs: 13-1
- Denver Broncos: 9-5
- Los Angeles Chargers: 8-6
- Las Vegas Raiders: 2-12
y – clinched division
Chargers playoff odds
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Chargers have odds of -1100 to make the playoffs entering Week 16. That gives L.A. a 91.7% chance of qualifying for the postseason.
Broncos playoff odds
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Broncos have odds of -1200 to make the playoffs entering Week 16. That gives Denver a 92.3% chance of qualifying for the postseason.
Chargers' remaining schedule
The Chargers' remaining four opponents have a combined winning percentage of .333, per Tankathon. That is tied for the fifth-easiest remaining schedule among the NFL's 32 teams.
Below is a look at the Chargers' remaining schedule:
Broncos' remaining schedule
The Broncos' remaining three opponents have a combined winning percentage of .643, per Tankathon. That ranks 7th among the NFL's 32 teams, meaning that Denver will finish the season with a tougher schedule than average.
Below is a look at the Broncos' remaining schedule:
Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins?
The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl wins with six.
The Broncos have appeared in eight Super Bowls (that's tied with three other teams for the second-most ever) and have three Lombardi Trophies, the most recent won during the 2015 season in Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers. The Chargers have appeared in just one Super Bowl, losing to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX.
NFL franchises with most Super Bowl wins:
- New England Patriots — 6
- Pittsburgh Steelers — 6
- Dallas Cowboys — 5
- San Francisco 49ers — 5
- Green Bay Packers — 4
- Kansas City Chiefs — 4
- New York Giants — 4
➤ Super Bowl winners: All-time scores, results for NFL title game
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