The Denver Broncos opened up the second half with an immediate big play. JK Dobbins ran outside and ran free for a 41-yard gain to instantly get the Broncos into scoring range in Los Angeles Chargers territory. Two plays later, Dobbins would take a swing pass from Bo Nix for a 19-yard touchdown to take their first lead of the game.
3 plays. 66 yards. 7 points.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Chargers return man fumbled right into the waiting hands of the JL Skinner as the momentum continued to shift Denver’s way.
Nix would just miss on a wide open deep ball to Marvin Mims in the end zone, but the Broncos would ultimately capitalize on the turnover with a field goal to extend their lead to a full touchdown.
The ticky tack flags from officials began to flow against the Broncos defense on the next drive. First an illegal contact penalty on Pat Surtain that didn’t seem like a penalty, then a super late pass interference call on Talanoa Hufanga only after the crowd complained, then a holding call on John Franklin-Myers to push the Chargers into Broncos’ territory.
After those early penalties on the drive, the Chargers didn’t need any more help to methodically drive down the field inside the Broncos 10 yard line. As is typical of the Broncos defense this year, they began to lock things down a bit. On a third and goal from the six, Herbert tried to attack Surtain and the pass was broken up to bring out the field goal unit.
With a chance to put a team away, the Broncos offense once again produced a three and out. They just haven’t figured out how to take advantage of… an advantage.
After yet another three-and-out, the Broncos defense came out at the end of the third quarter to try to keep the score in Denver’s advantage. Nik Bonitto exploded off the edge for another sack on Justin Herbert on first down, then a deep incompletion setup a third and 18 from their own five-yard line. They would finally get their own three-and-out to give the ball right back to the Broncos.
JK Dobbins began to take over a bit at the end of the third quarter with multiple solid gains on the ground. The quarter would end with the Broncos nearing field goal range.