The Chargers are nonetheless determining how one can run the soccer — a objective that may solely get harder — however they’ve efficiently run one thing extra essential.
The desk.
For the primary time in franchise historical past, they’ve began the season with consecutive victories over all three AFC West opponents, finishing the job Sunday with a 23-20 comeback victory over the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium.
Cameron Dicker clinched the victory with a 43-yard discipline objective as time expired, enhancing his file to eight for eight on successful kicks.
The Chargers got here into the sport with wins over Kansas Metropolis and Las Vegas, however wanted to high Denver for his or her first 3-0 begin since 2002 and a clear sweep of the primary half of divisional video games.
It was a well-recognized mixture that introduced the Chargers again from the sting of defeat: Justin Herbert to Keenan Allen.
These two related on a 20-yard landing within the waning minutes, tying a house opener that had been steadily slipping away from the Chargers within the second half. Throughout one stretch, they had been outscored, 17-0.
Herbert accomplished 28 of 47 passes for 300 yards, with a landing and an interception. Quentin Johnson made six catches for 89 yards and Allen had seven receptions for 65 yards.
Chargers huge receiver Quentin Johnston catches a go over Broncos cornerback Riley Moss within the second quarter Sunday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Occasions)
Working the soccer will solely get harder for the Chargers, who misplaced operating again Najee Harris to an Achilles tendon damage within the first half. The severity of that’s unknown, nevertheless it regarded unhealthy on replays and he needed to be helped from the sphere.
For almost all of the primary half, it regarded as if the Chargers had been heading for a lopsided victory, however Denver had one thing to say in response: Nix that.
Second-year quarterback Bo Nix jump-started the Broncos with an enormous play on the finish of the primary half that shocked the Chargers and had 1000’s of orange-clad followers at SoFi Stadium erupting in cheers.
It was a 52-yard, fourth-down landing go to a wide-open Courtland Sutton with 38 seconds remaining within the second quarter — Denver’s longest fourth-down landing go since 1978. Nix completed with 153 yards on 14-of-25 passing.
Cameron Dicker kicks the successful discipline objective as time expires within the Chargers’ 23-20 win over the Broncos on Sunday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Occasions)
The Broncos (1-2) had been trying to spoil a pristine season begin for the Chargers.
With the damage to Harris, the majority of Chargers ball-carrying duties trip on the shoulders of rookie first-round choose Omarion Hampton, who ran for 70 yards — together with a landing — and caught six passes for 59.
After being stymied by the Chargers protection all through the primary half, the Broncos broke by with Sutton’s landing and would go on to tip the scales with 17 unanswered factors.
Broncos operating again J.Okay. Dobbins, who performed for the Chargers final season, had a painfully gradual begin with minus-seven yards on his first 4 carries. Like his staff, he would come alive. Early within the second quarter, he caught a display screen go, did a tightrope run down the Los Angeles sideline and dived into the tip zone for a 19-yard landing.
Chargers linebacker Troy Dye (43) tackles Broncos huge receiver Troy Franklin within the third quarter Sunday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Occasions)
Denver followers will lengthy bear in mind the landing to Sutton within the waning moments of the primary half. Some may name it essentially the most inventive and impactful play name by coach Sean Payton in his quick tenure with the staff. Going through a fourth-and-two from their 48, the Broncos made it appear to be they deliberate to run for the primary down.
After a Chargers timeout, the Broncos got here out in a distinct line configuration that included proper sort out Mike McGlinchey lined up at proper guard, tight finish Adam Trautman lined up at left sort out, and large left sort out Garett Bolles at tight finish. Every part pointed to Denver operating to the suitable.
However Nix rolled proper, and threw throughout his physique to an uncovered Sutton streaking down the sphere for a landing.
It was an excellent play, however one decreased to a mere footnote within the wake of a come-from-behind victory by the Chargers.
