Week 5 · 2026
Broncos Turn Late Pressure Into a 23-17 Win Over Chargers
Denver Broncos 23 at Los Angeles Chargers 17
The First Punch
A final sack stopped the Chargers’ last push, but the game began with Denver striking first. The Broncos arrived in Los Angeles at 2-2, hoping to restart their championship chase after last season’s hard ending. The Chargers were 0-4 and still searching for a breakthrough in Justin Herbert’s new offense. Denver safety Brandon Jones recovered a fumble, when a player loses the ball, at the Chargers’ 40-yard line. Bo Nix then threw a 34-yard pass to Evan Engram, putting the ball at the 5. J.K. Dobbins ran the final 2 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The Broncos’ defense made each Chargers drive difficult, but Los Angeles fought back in the second quarter. Cameron Dicker kicked a 42-yard field goal, and Denver led 10-3 at halftime after Wil Lutz made a 34-yard kick.
Chargers Find a Spark
Los Angeles came out with more speed after the break. Herbert ran 10 yards, then raced 23 more around the right side to Denver’s 7-yard line. Two plays later, he threw a touchdown pass to tight end Hayden Rucci. The score was tied 10-10, and the Chargers had new momentum. Late in the third quarter, Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu forced Nix to fumble near midfield. Los Angeles recovered the ball, and Kimani Vidal burst through an open lane on the next play. His 42-yard touchdown run gave the Chargers a 17-10 lead. Their first win suddenly seemed close.
Denver Slams the Door
Denver did not let the lead last. After Lutz missed a 42-yard field goal, Nix moved the Broncos forward with a 13-yard pass to Courtland Sutton and a 10-yard catch by Jaylen Waddle. Nix then found Sutton for a 5-yard touchdown with 8:53 left, tying the game at 17. Now Denver’s pass rush took over. Defensive end Zach Allen sacked Herbert, meaning he tackled the quarterback behind the line, and forced another fumble. Denver recovered at the Chargers’ 23, and Lutz kicked a 19-yard field goal for a 20-17 lead. Another strip-sack, followed by an interception from Brandon Jones, gave Denver control. Lutz added a 36-yard field goal, and the Broncos won 23-17. Denver finished with five sacks and improved to 3-2, while Los Angeles fell to 0-5.