The Chargers lost their fourth-straight game, falling to the Broncos on Sunday 16-9.
To recap the Week 17 game between Los Angeles and Denver, here is everything to know.
It was over when...
The Broncos maintained a lead throughout the entire game. But Will Lutz’s 20-yard field goal with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter to extend Denver’s lead to 16-6 and then Cameron Dicker’s missed 50-yard field goal with six minutes left essentially sealed the deal.
Game notes
- The Chargers were 2 of 11 on third down.
- The Broncos controlled the time of possession battle, 33:46 to 26:14.
- There was only one touchdown in the game.
Quick hits
- Easton Stick was without his top two wide receivers Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer, making it difficult to create any offensive spark. Stick went 24-for-38 for 220 passing yards with no touchdowns.
- Alex Erickson led the way with seven catches for 98 yards.
- Quentin Johnston didn’t get his first catch of the game until five minutes into the fourth quarter. Johnston finished with three receptions for 29 yards.
- Austin Ekeler got the bulk of the carries, amassing 46 yards on 13 carries. Ekeler did have one fumble. Joshua Kelley got two carries, while Isaiah Spiller only had one. Spiller was used in the passing game, hauling two passes for ten yards.
- Defensively, Derwin James was the bright spot. James made plays all over the field, finishing with 12 tackles, two passes defended and a sack. This came a week after his snaps were reduced against the Bills.
- Eric Kendricks led the team in tackles with 14.
- Khalil Mack achieved the outstanding feat of 100 career sacks, making him the 49th player to accomplish it. He also set a new season high (16).
- With Kenneth Murray out, Nick Niemann started in place of him. Niemann had 11 tackles and one for loss. Rookie Daiyan Henley got some playing time, but it was limited. Henley had four tackles.
- The Chargers allowed two passes of over 40 yards. On Lil’Jordan Humphrey’s 54-yard touchdown, there were multiple missed tackles in the open field, which has been an ongoing issue in the secondary and needs to be resolved this offseason.
- Cameron Dicker continued to play like an All-Pro player, making two field goals from over 50 yards. Dicker attempted a third from that distance but it was tipped by a Broncos defender.
What's next?
The Chargers close out the season on the road against the Chiefs next Sunday, January 7. The time of the game is still to be determined.
