Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers only had to think about Patrick Surtain II for one play on Sunday.
Surtain left the game with a concussion on the first defensive play for Denver, and Herbert led a steady offense that took advantage of Surtain’s absence, securing a 23-16 victory over the Broncos.
“We’ve got a lot of respect for him as a defender, but it’s always the next play,” Herbert said. “We’re not worried about who’s out there. … It’s about us. As long as we’re executing and doing everything we can as an offensive unit, I think we’re going to like the result.”
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who had to receive treatment for an irregular heartbeat at the start of the game, described it as a “great and glorious win.”
Harbaugh returned to the sidelines in the first quarter after receiving an IV and magnesium and coached the rest of the game. He mentioned he would see his cardiologist on Monday.
“He’s tough,” Herbert said. “He did a really good job of hiding because I was unaware of it.”
With Surtain out, Denver didn’t blitz as much, and the Chargers (3-2) took a 23-0 lead after three quarters. For much of the game, it looked like they would give the Broncos (3-3) their first home shutout in 65 years.
After two turnovers and five punts, the Broncos’ offense started to find its rhythm. Bo Nix led the team on a 95-yard scoring drive, finishing with a 2-yard touchdown pass to fellow Oregon alum Troy Franklin.
He also connected with Courtland Sutton for a diving 15-yard touchdown with 5:22 left in the game. However, a failed 2-point conversion kept them down by more than a touchdown.
The Broncos forced a punt and reached the Chargers’ 32-yard line on their next drive. Wil Lutz kicked a 40-yard field goal to bring the score to 23-16 with 59 seconds remaining, but he struggled with onside kicks.
His first attempt at an onside kick, and a redo due to offsetting penalties, both failed, allowing the Chargers to secure their first win over Denver in two years and their first against Sean Payton in seven attempts.
“Just didn’t perform how we want, but we feel like the fight was there,” Nix said.
The game featured two of the league’s top defenses. With Chargers star Joey Bosa missing his second straight game due to a hip issue, it seemed the matchup would favor the Broncos, who had not lost since Week 2.
Surtain’s concussion completely changed the dynamics, ending the Broncos’ three-game winning streak.
“It was very unfortunate because he’s not just a huge part of the defense, but the team,” Sutton said.
Herbert achieved season highs with 21 completions and 237 yards, playing a game focused on keeping control of the ball and running down the clock.
“I thought he was as precise as he could be, or a quarterback could be,” Harbaugh said. “There were some great throws, some great moves to avoid the pressure. He was just putting the ball in the appropriate spot throughout the entire game. I was super impressed.
“Hopefully this reminds everybody that Justin Herbert is really good at playing quarterback. He was putting it on the money.”
It was easier for him without Surtain on the field.
Surtain got injured while breaking up Herbert’s first pass to Ladd McConkey. He will probably miss the next game as well since it’s on Thursday night against New Orleans.
Without Surtain, the Broncos struggled to stop the Chargers, who scored two field goals and two touchdowns before kneeling to end the first half, during which they had the ball for more than 21 minutes.
The Broncos only had one play in Chargers territory in the first half, which ended in a fumble by running back Javonte Williams.
“We did all the things you can’t do in a game like that,” Payton said after the Broncos lost the turnover battle and converted only three of 11 third downs, compared to the Chargers’ 11 of 18. “We didn’t do a number of things well today.”
Rookie running back Kimami Vidal’s first NFL play was a 38-yard catch-and-run touchdown that made the score 10-0. J.K. Dobbins, who ran for 96 yards, scored on a 4-yard touchdown run, and Cameron Dicker made field goals from 20 and 33 yards.
The last field goal capped a 20-play, 76-yard drive that took 10:29 and happened right after Herbert recovered a fumble caused by Jonathon Cooper on a strip-sack.
“Man, I thought we had some time over there to chill,” Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack said. “That was different. That was a huge deal, especially playing in this altitude, to let the defense rest. And that’s another reason we were able to have success.”
Surtain’s absence on Sunday showed how valuable he is to the Broncos, just like his impressive two-interception game against Las Vegas the week before, which earned him AFC defensive player of the week honors.
Surtain got hurt one play after Chargers safety Elijah Molden intercepted Nix’s first pass and returned it 25 yards to the Denver 31.
