The Denver Broncos got the best of the Los Angele Chargers in what could be the game of the week. Drew Lock‘s touchdown pass to KJ Hamler with zero seconds on the clock tied the game at 30, and Brandon McManus hit the extra point to give the Broncos the wild comeback victory.
The Chargers led 24-3 early in the second half. The Broncos suddenly woke up, though, and outscored L.A. 28-6 the rest of the way, resulting in the 31-30 victory. Both young quarterbacks ended the day with 40+ pass attempts. Lock was 26-41 for 248 yards. Rookie sensation Justin Herbert went 29-43 on his way to 278 yards. They each threw for three touchdowns, while Lock had one interception to Herbert’s two.
Chargers
The Chargers got what they need from their run game, but failed to make the defensive plays necessary to secure the win. Justin Jackson rushed for 89 yards and Troymaine Pope added 67 more. They were also both involved in the passing game, combining for eight catches for 81 yards through the air.
Mike Williams bounced back from a week 7 dud with 99 yards on five receptions, including a touchdown. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins picked up his first interception of the year when he picked off Lock in the 3rd quarter. It was Denver’s only turnover in the game.
Broncos
The Broncos Phillip Lindsay ran for 83 yards on six carries, including a 55-yard touchdown that sparked the Broncos comeback. Fellow running back Melvin Gordon III ran for just 26 yards on his eight carries. He did chip in 6 receptions, though gaining just 21 yards on them.
It was a great day for Denver’s offensive rookies. Fourth-round tight end Albert Okwuegbunam caught his first career touchdown on his only reception of the game. First-round wide receiver Jerry Jeudy set a new career-high for yards with 73 on his four receptions. Finally, as mentioned before, second-round receiver KJ Hamler caught the game-winning touchdown. Like Okwuegbunam it was the first of his career.
Defensively, Nick Chubb‘s sack of Herbert brought him to 5.5 on the season. Defensive backs Justin Simmons and Bryce Callahan both picked up their second interceptions on the season.
Highlights
55 yards to the 🏡!@I_CU_boy | 📺: CBSpic.twitter.com/Hn2e0UUdYL
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 1, 2020
Just like college.@DrewLock23 hits @AOkwuegbunam for SIX!#LACvsDEN | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/yfmeS6SETP
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 1, 2020
THE ROOKIE CALLED GAME.@Kj_hamler | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/iaeSZj7QmZ
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 2, 2020
What’s Next
The Chargers will host the Raiders next week in an AFC West showdown. They’ll look to clean up their defense, specifically allowing big plays. Denver hit a few of them in this one, and the Raiders have their own plethora of dynamic playmakers.
The Broncos, meanwhile, will look to make it two straight wins when they travel to Atlanta in Week 9. Undoubtedly they’ll look to build on their big rookie performances in that one against a suspect Falcons defense. Expect the Broncos to come out more disciplined from the start, as they’ve now had brutal first halves in two straight games.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
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