By The Associated Press’s Joe Reedy
INGLEWOOD, California. The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos 34-27 on Thursday night, moving one step closer to securing a postseason berth thanks to Justin Herbert’s 284 yards and two touchdowns, which included a game-winning 19-yard pass to Derius Davis early in the fourth quarter.
Cameron Dicker made the first successful fair-catch kick in the NFL in 48 years as part of the Chargers’ comeback. On the last play of the first half, he made a nice 57-yard field goal to bring the Chargers within 21–13.
Los Angeles (9-6) has to lose to Miami and Indianapolis on Sunday to guarantee its second postseason appearance in three seasons, and Gus Edwards ran for two touchdowns.
Denver (9-6) had a chance to secure a postseason berth, but their four-game winning streak was ended. According to the NFL, the Broncos still have an 85% chance of making it, but they still have two difficult games left: at home against Kansas City in Week 18 and at Cincinnati on December 28.
For the first time since 2010, the Chargers swept Denver, where Bo Nix was 29 of 40 for 263 yards and two touchdowns.
After scoring on their opening three drives to take a 21-10 lead, the Broncos looked to be well on their way to securing their first postseason appearance since 2015. However, the Chargers came roaring back after Wil Lutz’s 41-yard field goal halfway through the third quarter gave the Broncos a 24–13 lead.
On Thursday, December 19, 2024, in Inglewood, California, Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards (4) scores a rushing touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos. (Photo by Ryan Sun/AP)
When Herbert was stopped short of the goal line, Edwards, who had 14 carries for 68 yards, raced off 5 yards off left end to put the Bolts within 24-19, but the 2-point conversion was unsuccessful.
The Chargers seized their first lead when Denver went three-and-out for the second time in three drives. Herbert rushed left and threw across his body off his left foot to Davis with 12:29 left on a first-and-10 from the Denver 19, where he completed 23 of 30 passes with an interception.
For the 2-point conversion, Herbert then found Joshua Palmer in the rear of the end zone. Palmer went out of bounds after securing the ball with his left hand after tipping it, making the score 27–24.
With 2:27 left, Herbert’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Hassan Haskins put Los Angeles out of reach.
On Thursday, December 19, 2024, in Inglewood, California, Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (22) tackles Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (30) during the first half of an NFL football game. (Photo by Ryan Sun/AP)
With 57 seconds left, Lutz scored a 55-yard field goal to put Denver within a touchdown, but Nick Niemann of Los Angeles recovered the onside kick to end any dreams of a comeback.
Ladd McConkey, who had six receptions for 87 yards, was one of the ten players to whom Herbert completed passes.
Before halftime, Nix completed 15 of 21 passes for 155 yards, including two touchdowns in the first half.
The Los Angeles defense let up points on three consecutive possessions to begin a game for the first time this season.
Halfway through the first quarter, the Broncos led 7-0 thanks to a 3-yard run from right guard Audric Estime. Denver made it to the end zone on its first possession for just the third time this season.
Los Angeles evened it on its next drive when Edwards burrowed in from the 1, but Denver went back on top when Nix rolled right and connected with Burton on a 1-yard TD early in the second quarter.
One play after Marvin Mims took a screen pass by Nix 53 yards, Devaughn Vele caught a 6-yard pass in the left corner of the end zone to make it 21-10 with 6:22 remaining in the first half.
On Thursday, December 19, 2024, in Inglewood, California, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) tries a handoff in the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers. (Photo by Ryan Sun/AP)
Dicker makes history
A rarely used fair-catch kick, which enables a team that has recently completed a fair catch to attempt a free kick for three points, was used by coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers. The opposing team must be ten yards distant when the kick is attempted from the line of scrimmage.
The Chargers were able to try it because Denver s Tremon Smith committed fair-catch interference on what would have been the final play of the first half when Los Angeles Derius Davis attempted to field Riley Dixon s punt at the Chargers 38.
For an untimed down, the penalty moved the ball to the Denver 47. The Chargers were also the last team to successfully execute a free kick when Ray Wersching converted from 45 yards for San Diego on Nov. 21, 1976, against Buffalo.
Injuries
Chargers: S Marcus Maye (ankle) and LB Denzel Perryman (hamstring) were injured in the first half and did not return.
Up next
Broncos: At Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28.
Chargers: At New England on Dec. 28.
AP NFL:https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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AP Sports Writer
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos 34-27 on Thursday night, moving one step closer to securing a postseason berth thanks to Justin Herbert’s 284 yards and two touchdowns, which included a game-winning 19-yard pass to Derius Davis early in the fourth quarter. The Chargers’ comeback also included Cameron Dicker making the first successful fair-catch kick in the NFL in 48 years. On the last play of the first half, he made a nice 57-yard field goal to bring the Chargers within 21–13. Los Angeles needs losses by Indianapolis and Miami on Sunday to make the playoffs. Denver failed to clinch a playoff berth and had its four-game winning streak snapped.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos 34-27 on Thursday night, moving one step closer to securing a postseason berth thanks to Justin Herbert’s 284 yards and two touchdowns, which included a game-winning 19-yard pass to Derius Davis early in the fourth quarter.
The Chargers’ comeback also included Cameron Dicker making the first successful fair-catch kick in the NFL in 48 years. On the last play of the first half, he made a nice 57-yard field goal to bring the Chargers within 21–13.
Los Angeles (9-6) has to lose to Miami and Indianapolis on Sunday to guarantee its second postseason appearance in three seasons, and Gus Edwards ran for two touchdowns.
Denver (9-6) had a chance to secure a postseason berth, but their four-game winning streak was ended. According to the NFL, the Broncos still have an 85% chance of making it, but they still have two difficult games left: at home against Kansas City in Week 18 and at Cincinnati on December 28.
For the first time since 2010, the Chargers swept Denver, where Bo Nix was 29 of 40 for 263 yards and two touchdowns.
After scoring on their opening three drives to take a 21-10 lead, the Broncos looked to be well on their way to securing their first postseason appearance since 2015. However, the Chargers came roaring back after Wil Lutz’s 41-yard field goal halfway through the third quarter gave the Broncos a 24–13 lead.
When Herbert was stopped short of the goal line, Edwards, who had 14 carries for 68 yards, raced off 5 yards off left end to put the Bolts within 24-19, but the 2-point conversion was unsuccessful.
The Chargers seized their first lead when Denver went three-and-out for the second time in three drives. Herbert rushed left and threw across his body off his left foot to Davis with 12:29 left on a first-and-10 from the Denver 19, where he completed 23 of 30 passes with an interception.
For the 2-point conversion, Herbert then found Joshua Palmer in the rear of the end zone. Palmer went out of bounds after securing the ball with his left hand after tipping it, making the score 27–24.
With 2:27 left, Herbert’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Hassan Haskins put Los Angeles out of reach.
Lutz narrowly made a 55-yard field goal with 57 seconds remaining to get Denver within a touchdown, but Los Angeles’ Nick Niemann recovered the onside kick to dash any hopes of a comeback.
Ladd McConkey, who had six receptions for 87 yards, was one of the ten players to whom Herbert completed passes.
Before halftime, Nix completed 15 of 21 passes for 155 yards, including two touchdowns in the first half.
It was the first time this season Los Angeles’ defense allowed scores on three straight possessions to start a game.
Audric Estime s 3-yard run off right guard gave the Broncos a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. It was only the third time this season Denver reached the end zone on its opening possession.
Los Angeles evened it on its next drive when Edwards burrowed in from the 1, but Denver went back on top when Nix rolled right and connected with Burton on a 1-yard TD early in the second quarter.
One play after Marvin Mims took a screen pass by Nix 53 yards, Devaughn Vele caught a 6-yard pass in the left corner of the end zone to make it 21-10 with 6:22 remaining in the first half.
Dicker makes history
Coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers took advantage of a seldom-used fair-catch kick, which allows a team that has just made a fair catch to try a free kick for three points. The kick is attempted from the line of scrimmage, and the defending team must stand 10 yards away.
The Chargers were able to try it because Denver s Tremon Smith committed fair-catch interference on what would have been the final play of the first half when Los Angeles’ Derius Davis attempted to field Riley Dixon s punt at the Chargers 38.
The penalty moved the ball to the Denver 47 for an untimed down. The Chargers were also the last team to successfully execute a free kick when Ray Wersching converted from 45 yards for San Diego on Nov. 21, 1976, against Buffalo.
Injuries
Chargers:S Marcus Maye (ankle) and LB Denzel Perryman (hamstring) were injured in the first half and did not return.
Up next
Broncos:At Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28.
Chargers:At New England on Dec. 28.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
More sports news
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