Chargers keep playoff hopes alive

The Los Angeles Chargers played the second half of their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos like a desperate team trying to keep its playoff hopes alive. And well they should have. 

Lose and they would fall back two games to the Broncos for second place in the AFC West Division. Win and the Chargers would find themselves back in the playoff hunt. Justin Herbert and the Chargers chose to win. 

Herbert and the Chargers rallied from a halftime deficit to beat the Broncos 34-27 in a game they had to come up victorious. 

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1). Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/Courtesy of The Compton Bulletin/File Photo

“We talked about it all week, how important these games are, especially in December and January and we knew the implications of it,” Herbert said after the game. “We emphasized all week, ‘Hey this is a playoff game to us.’ It’s the environment, it’s the team. [The Broncos are] obviously a very talented and incredible team, so for us to be able to pull away with one there, I thought it was awesome for us.”

The battle for second place in the AFC West was a tale of two halves. Bo Nix and the Broncos were going up and down the field against the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense, generating 16 first downs and three touchdowns to lead at intermission. 

Down 21-13, Herbert and the offense of the Chargers got themselves together for a strong second-half showing. The Chargers outscored Denver 21-6 in the third and fourth quarters to seal their ninth win of the season. 

“It really starts in that locker room,” Herbert said. “Every single guy in that locker room gives their all. So it’s my responsibility to give my all. We really play for each other, we play for the Chargers organization and we care about each other. When you’re in that environment, it’s easy to go out there and give it your all. I know that I’m in great condition, I’m safe to be out there and we just got it done tonight.” 

After giving up a ton of first downs to the Broncos in the first half, the Chargers defense put Nix and Denver’s offense on lockdown, holding the Broncos to just six first downs and six points in the last two quarters. 

Los Angeles Chargers placekicker Cameron Dicker (11) has provided the team with a steady foot this season. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/Courtesy of The Compton Bulletin/File Photo

“Obviously, a disappointing loss,” Denver head coach Sean Payton said. “It was disappointing because there was a lot at stake and we know that. We had a fast start, I was encouraged by that. Then uncharacteristically this season, we didn’t finish or play nearly well enough in the second half, both offensively and defensively.” 

After the game, Nix summed up Denver’s second-half meltdown pretty simply. 

“Well, we didn’t come out and execute like we did in the first half and didn’t get as many yards and touchdowns,” Nix said.  

If the Chargers play their final two opponents (the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders) the way they played the second half against Denver, they should be in good shape to make the postseason.  

“Just a total team effort by everybody,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Defense, offense, special teams. The guys. Just pull it down. It was phenomenal. Talking about it the other day, it’s a test, it’s a challenge. It’s how you’ve got to respond. I knew how our guys would respond and they did, but that was the guys. They just went back to work and stayed the course.”


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