Chargers flex their will against Broncos

Inglewood, CA (The Compton Bulletin) – There were a lot of dynamics playing out when the Los Angeles Chargers played the Denver Broncos. The first and obvious note is that both starting quarterbacks once operated as the lead signal-callers for the University of Oregon at one point in time. 

Denver’s Bo Nix is in his second year. Meanwhile, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been around the block for a while. The second notable fact is that the Chargers and Broncos are longtime AFC West Division rivals. So there is no love lost between these two teams.

With that said, the Chargers came into the contest having already dispatched the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders with victories. Beat the Broncos, and it would be the first time since 2002 that the Chargers would have started the season at 3-0. 

That’s precisely what the Chargers did. Outscoring the Broncos 10-3 in the fourth quarter, the Chargers rallied from an early game deficit to win the ballgame, 23-20, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Sept. 21, 2025. 

Afterward, Herbert talked about the level of opponents that the Chargers had beaten in their first three games and what it means.

“Three very good opponents,” Herbert remarked. “A lot of respect for all three of them. We knew they were going to be tough and none of them have been easy. I think the way that all three phases of our team have fought through it and battled is really good to see. Obviously, [there are] things to clean up but I’m excited [and] looking forward [to it].”

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh seemed to take a sense of gratification in the fact that his team’s early-season wins have been against divisional opponents.    

“Good. [You] can’t be 4-0 unless you’re 3-0. Yeah, just happy, happy, happy,” Harbaugh said during a postgame press conference. 

Grit and determination best describe the Chargers’ win against the Broncos. When it comes to the numbers, the Chargers dominated the game in many of the most important categories, yet it would take a late field goal from Cameron Dicker to clinch the win for LA. 

The Chargers had more first downs (29-9), registered more third down conversions (8-17 to 2-13), had way more offensive plays (80-48), and accumulated more total yards (376 to 265). 

And by the way, Herbert (28 of 47 passing for 300 yards and one touchdown) clearly outplayed Nix (14 of 25 for 153 yards and one touchdown). 

Winning division games, however, takes a lot more than piling up a bunch of numbers. The Chargers won their matchup against the Broncos by winning the game within the game. LA had to overcome losing running back Najee Harris, who left the game because of an injury.  

“Yeah, not good and just hoping for the best,” Harbaugh said.  

After seeing Denver go up 20-13 early in the fourth quarter, the Chargers scored 10 unanswered points to close out the visitors. It may show up in the stat sheet as a simple 20-yard touchdown pass, but Herbert’s connection to wide receiver Keenan Allen late in the game and with LA down by seven points was the play of the game.  

The Herbert-to-Allen combo tied the game. The Chargers’ defense was then asked to make a stand against Nix and the Denver offense one more time to give Herbert and his crew an opportunity to win the ballgame.  Aside from giving up a field goal in the final period, the Chargers’ defense played lights out in the quarter.

Derwin James, LA’s do-it-all safety, said the Chargers didn’t do anything more or less in keeping Denver’s offense in check in that fourth quarter.

“We didn’t try to do nothing extra or nothing more besides ourselves,” James said. “We stuck to the fundamentals. We got a foundation. We just hang our hats on our foundation. We knew the plays were coming.”

Herbert and the Chargers took advantage of getting the ball back, driving down the field for the game-winning kick from Dicker. 

“I don’t think I have the vocabulary to really express how great I feel with this win and just the admiration for our team and for our players and coaches and just everybody,” Harbaugh said. 

“It’s just another game – three wins, three games and it’s taken everybody in all these games – Gritty, spectacular, that’s about the best word I can come up with to describe it. [It’s] just a great thrill of winning. [It’s a] wonderful, wonderful feeling of victory, great thrill of victory. That’s about all I got,” he added. 

This article first appeared in The Compton Bulletin. The Compton Bulletin is an editorial partner with News4usOnline

Featured Image: Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) gets off a pass against the Denver Broncos in a 23-20 win at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer, courtesy of The Compton Bulletin