The Los Angeles Chargers punted to start the second quarter where the Denver Broncos would take over at their own nine yard line. They would — predictably — go three-and-out after the run game does nothing as has been the case on most drives this season. A poor punt from Jeremy Crawshaw would set Justin Herbert and the Chargers up with good field position on their next drive.
They were able to turn that good field position into a decent drive. The Broncos defense woke up with a tackle for loss and
back-to-back pressures to force the 42-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker.
Broncos 7, Chargers 3.
On Denver’s next drive, they found a bit of legs in their run game behind J.K. Dobbins. Though by little, I mean he had one decent run then two runs for three yards to bring up fourth and inches. Bo Nix plunged forward for what was called a first down, but challenged. The review didn’t really show anything conclusive and they lost the challenge. Denver would keep the ball near midfield with a fresh set of downs on that drive.
An end-around to Jaylen Waddle would pick up eight yards into Chargers’ territory. A good run by RJ Harvey for another first down and a quick pass to Troy Franklin outside for another would bring Denver to the 30. A defensive pass interference call on Waddle would set Denver up in the red zone two plays later.
Things would stall there, but the Wil Lutz field goal put them back up by a touchdown.
Broncos 10, Chargers 3.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Broncos were able to get the ball back with less than 90 seconds left in the half. From their own 19 yard line and one timeout left, Nix and the Broncos had a chance to put points up before halftime.
On the very first play, Nix went deep to Jaylen Waddle. The throw was very underthrown, but the defender was all over Waddle to draw the defensive pass interference call to put Denver immediately in fringe field goal territory. Courtland Sutton then got called for offensive pass interference followed by a sack on Nix to bring up a third and forever and that is how the half would end.
