Chargers-Broncos takeaways: Most of L.A.’s Mile High goals were fulfilled

The Chargers defense kept rookie Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) on the run. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

The Chargers ended a two-game losing streak and vanquished their Mile High demons with a 23-16 win over the Denver Broncos.

It was the Chargers’ first win in Denver since 2018, the year Derwin James Jr. was drafted in the first round.

“Wow,” the star safety said of ending the road losing drought against their AFC West rival. “Man, it’s major, man, y’all know the division game count plus-two.”

What we learned:

Fourth quarter a different game

After being shut down for three quarters, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) burned the Chargers and linebacker Daiyan Henley with passes and runs in the fourth quarter. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

The Broncos, a franchise that began in 1960, had never been shut out at home. The Chargers, with a 23-0 lead, came within a quarter of the historic feat.

The three-quarter masterpiece, a reporter began while speaking to outside linebacker Khalil Mack, must have been a big deal.

“Not really, man,” Mack interjected. “We’re looking to do it all four quarters.”

The Chargers have taken major steps under first-year defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, turning the unit that ranked 24th in the NFL in points allowed last season to first through six weeks. But the late-game drop offs are preventing the Chargers from truly savoring the turnaround with so much still needing improvement.

Read more: Jim Harbaugh, Chargers feeling better after first win in Denver since 2018

The Chargers, who lead the NFL by yielding 13.2 points per game, gave up back-to-back 10-7 halftime leads in losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

On Sunday, quarterback Bo Nix threw for 176 of his 216 passing yards in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on a shorthanded Chargers secondary that lost cornerback Kristian Fulton while the Broncos were in desperation mode.

Nix scrambled for two critical first downs in the fourth…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-broncos-takeaways-most-l-100033908.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-10-14 10:00:33

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