The Denver Broncos lost to the Los Angeles Chargers 34-27 on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. Here are five quick takeaways from the defeat.
1. Denver’s penalties killed them: The Broncos were penalized seven times for 61 yards. Two of the most costly penalties came from cornerback Tremon Smith and linebacker Justin Strnad. Smith committed a 15-yard penalty on a punt fair catch that spotted L.A. a free field goal just before halftime. Strnad’s hit on a sliding Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert turned a fourth down into a first down and L.A. later scored a touchdown. Those two penalties cost seven points in a game that ended up being decided by a touchdown.
2. Sean Payton had a bad game: Perhaps the coach can be forgiven for attempting to score again with 41 seconds left before halftime, a decision that resulted in a Denver punt and the penalty that led to a Chargers field goal. Had it worked, Payton would have been praised for aggressiveness and the Broncos could have put the game out of reach. The coach isn’t off the hook for his decision to punt in the fourth quarter, though. Trailing by three points, Payton opted to punt on 4th-and-6 just one yard shy of midfield with 4:35 remaining in the game. Following that decision, L.A. essentially put the game out of reach on their ensuing drive.
3. The pass interference no-call should have been a moot point: Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still definitely got away with pass interference against Broncos receiver Marvin Mims in the fourth quarter, but that sequence never would have happened if quarterback Bo Nix threw a better pass. Mims was open by several yards and Nix underthrew him, allowing Still to catch up. Had Nix led the receiver, Mims could have scored a touchdown to give the Broncos a four-point lead. Yes, it should have been DPI. But Nix needs to throw a better ball.
Should this have been ruled pass interference on the Chargers? Clear early contact to Mims Jr as he went up for the ball. pic.twitter.com/iMFXdxCk0Y
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) December 20, 2024
4. The defense came up short: Denver’s offense only managed two field goals after halftime, but they are not alone in the blame for Thursday’s loss as Vance Joseph’s unit allowed three touchdowns in the second half. The defense was undisciplined with several crucial penalties and countless missed tackles.
5. The sky is not falling just yet: With two games remaining, the Broncos can still make the NFL playoffs. Denver would clinch a spot with one more win, and they can clinch even earlier with help from three other teams. If the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts all lose or tie on Sunday, the Broncos would clinch a Wild Card spot. That’s unlikely to happen, though, so Denver’s game against the Bengals in Week 17 could have massive playoff implications. The path remains simple for the Broncos — win and you’re in.
