Allen and Jones takeaways lift Broncos past Chargers, 23-17

Zach Allen forced a fumble, Brandon Jones intercepted Justin Herbert and Wil Lutz turned both fourth-quarter takeaways into field goals as Denver rallied past the Los Angeles Chargers 23-17 on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.

The Broncos scored the final 13 points to improve to 3-2 and earn their first AFC West win of the season. Los Angeles fell to 0-5, its first five-loss start since 2003, according to the Associated Press.

Denver’s comeback began with a stop that never enters the turnover column. Trailing 17-10, the Broncos stuffed Herbert’s fourth-and-one sneak at the Chargers’ 41-yard line with just over 10 minutes left. Five plays later, Bo Nix found Courtland Sutton for a five-yard touchdown, and Lutz’s extra point tied the game at 17 with 8:53 remaining.

Sutton had made a 13-yard catch to start that possession. His touchdown finished a short drive that also benefited from a roughing-the-passer penalty, giving Denver another chance after Lutz had missed from 42 yards earlier in the quarter.

The Chargers’ next possession lasted two plays. Allen sacked Herbert and knocked the ball loose, with Que Robinson recovering at the Los Angeles 23. J.K. Dobbins gained 14 yards on the next snap, and Evan Engram’s catch moved the Broncos to the one-yard line. Sean Payton chose the field goal on fourth-and-goal; Lutz’s 19-yarder put Denver ahead 20-17 with 5:07 left.

Herbert then lost nine yards on a sack by defensive tackle D.J. Jones, recovered his own fumble and tried to rebuild the drive. On fourth-and-six, Brandon Jones intercepted the pass intended for Marquez Valdes-Scantling and returned it to the Chargers’ 34. Lutz made a 36-yard field goal with 1:08 remaining, extending the lead to six.

Los Angeles had one last possession. Ja’Quan McMillian sacked Herbert on the final play, denying the Chargers a throw into the end zone. Denver finished with five sacks, including two by Nik Bonitto, while its three takeaways produced 13 points.

The defense had supplied Denver’s first opportunity, too. Talanoa Hufanga forced a Charlie Kolar fumble on the Chargers’ opening possession, and Brandon Jones recovered. Dobbins scored from two yards out for an early 7-0 lead. He finished with 68 rushing yards on 18 carries.

Los Angeles erased a 10-3 halftime deficit with a 14-play, 73-yard drive capped by Herbert’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Rucci. After Tuli Tuipulotu forced and recovered a Nix fumble late in the third quarter, Kimani Vidal ran 42 yards for the touchdown that put the Chargers ahead.

Nix completed 16 of 27 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown as Payton resumed calling plays. Herbert was 14 of 24 for 121 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Denver gained 224 yards and converted one of 12 third downs; the Chargers gained 237 yards.

Hufanga left in the third quarter with an ankle injury and did not return, the AP reported. Chargers receiver Tre’ Harris also left in the third, while linebacker Bud Dupree exited in the second with a neck injury and did not return. Denver hosts Seattle on Thursday; Los Angeles visits Kansas City next Sunday.

Sources

Official final-game report · ESPN: final box score, play-by-play and AP game report · Field Level Media: Denver’s late defensive comeback