The Denver Broncos (7-6) kept their playoff hopes alive with a 24-7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers (5-8) on the road in Week 14.
Following a Chargers punt on the opening drive of the game, a Russell Wilson pass to wide receiver Marvin Mims was intercepted by Los Angeles defensive back Michael Davis at Denver’s 13-yard line.
The Chargers failed to capitalize on that short field position as they went on to fail to convert a 4th-and-3 at the Broncos’ 6-yard line. After getting the ball back deep in their own territory, Denver punted.
On L.A.’s ensuing drive, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had a pass tipped by pass rusher Baron Browning and then intercepted by Jonathon Cooper, who returned it four yards to the 3-yard line. Broncos running back Javonte Williams punched it in on the next play to take a 7-0 lead.
Los Angeles later faced a 4th-and-2 within field goal range in the second quarter and the Chargers failed to convert again, giving Denver the ball back at its own 30-yard line with 3:11 remaining in the first half. The Broncos then went three-and-out.
Los Angeles replaced an injured Herbert (finger) with backup quarterback Easton Stick on their final drive before halftime. Stick promptly went three-and-out and Denver then drove 65 yards before settling for a 23-yard Wil Lutz field goal to take a 10-0 lead into halftime.
In the second half, the Chargers went for it on 4th-and-1 at the Broncos’ 40-yard line and failed to convert, marking their third turnover on downs of the game. Four players later, Wilson threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton to extend the lead to 17-0.
In the fourth quarter, Los Angeles finally converted a fourth-down attempt, only to turn the ball over on downs later that drive. The Chargers finished the game 0-of-12 on third down and 1-of-6 on fourth down.
After a Denver punt, Los Angeles running back Austin Ekeler scored on a three-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to make it 17-7. The Broncos matched that score when Wilson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Adam Trautman to make it 24-7. That ended up being the final score.
On the injury front, Denver outside linebackers Nik Bonitto (knee) left in the first quarter, but that did not slow down the pass rush — the Broncos’ defense finished the game with six sacks and a forced fumble. Denver guard Quinn Meinerz (illness) was also ruled out at halftime.
Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Detroit Lions (9-4).
