Justin Herbert threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns, including a 19-yard touchdown pass to Derius Davis early in the fourth quarter that put the Chargers ahead. The Los Angeles Chargers rallied past the Denver Broncos 34-27 on Thursday night, moving closer to securing a playoff spot.
One of the highlights of the Chargers’ comeback was Cameron Dicker making the first successful fair-catch kick in the NFL in 48 years. Dicker made the 57-yard kick on the final play of the first half, pulling the Chargers within 21-13.
Gus Edwards ran for two touchdowns for Los Angeles (9-6), who now need losses by Indianapolis and Miami on Sunday to clinch their second playoff spot in three years.
Denver (9-6) could have clinched a playoff spot with a win but saw their four-game winning streak end. Despite this, the Broncos still have an 85% chance of making the playoffs, but they face tough challenges ahead with games at Cincinnati on Dec. 28 and against Kansas City in Week 18.
Bo Nix completed 29 of 40 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns for Denver, which was swept by the Chargers for the first time since 2010.
The Broncos seemed to be on track to secure their first playoff spot since 2015 after taking a 21-10 lead by scoring on their first three drives. However, after Wil Lutz made a 41-yard field goal to give Denver a 24-13 lead midway through the third quarter, the Chargers made their comeback.
Edwards, who had 14 carries for 68 yards, ran for a 5-yard touchdown to get the Chargers within 24-19, but their 2-point conversion attempt failed when Herbert was stopped short of the goal line.
After Denver was forced to punt for the second time in three possessions, the Chargers took their first lead. On first-and-10 from the Denver 19-yard line, Herbert scrambled left and threw across his body to Davis, who caught the pass with 12:29 left in the game.
Herbert then threw a 2-point conversion pass to Joshua Palmer, who tipped the ball with his left hand before catching it as he went out of bounds to give the Chargers a 27-24 lead.
The Chargers sealed the win with 2:27 remaining when Herbert threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Hassan Haskins.
Lutz made a 55-yard field goal with 57 seconds left to get Denver within a touchdown, but Los Angeles recovered the onside kick, ending any hopes of a Broncos comeback.
Herbert completed passes to 10 different players, including Ladd McConkey, who had six receptions for 87 yards.
Nix had two touchdown passes in the first half and completed 15 of 21 passes for 155 yards before halftime.
It was the first time this season that the Chargers’ defense allowed scores on three consecutive possessions to start a game.
The Broncos took a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter when Audric Estime ran for a 3-yard touchdown. It was the third time this season Denver scored on their opening possession.
The Chargers tied the game on their next drive when Edwards ran for a 1-yard touchdown. But Denver regained the lead when Nix rolled to his right and threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Burton early in the second quarter.
One play after Marvin Mims caught a screen pass from Nix and ran for 53 yards, Devaughn Vele caught a 6-yard touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone to give the Broncos a 21-10 lead with 6:22 remaining in the first half.
