Justin Herbert pace improved Chargers offense in win vs. Broncos: Key takeaways

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By Daniel Popper, Nick Kosmider and Lauren Smith

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw for a season-high 237 yards, the Los Angeles offense posted a season-best 350 yards, and the defense kept the Broncos off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter, holding off a late rally to pick up a 23-16 win in Denver.

Herbert tossed a 38-yard touchdown to rookie Kimani Vidal out of the backfield in the first quarter, and J.K. Dobbins added a 4-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter as the Chargers took a 20-0 lead into halftime. Los Angeles (3-2) led by as many as 23.

The Chargers’ defense held the Broncos (3-3) scoreless most of the way, but Denver cut the lead as close as seven late with a 16-point fourth quarter.

Rookie quarterback Bo Nix connected with rookie Troy Franklin and Courtland Sutton on a pair of late touchdowns, and a Wil Lutz field goal with 59 seconds to play made it 23-16. But the onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, and the Chargers ran out the clock from there.

The game started with a scary moment for Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh. He left the field early in the first quarter in what he deemed as arrhythmia, according to the CBS broadcast. Harbaugh returned to the sideline midway through the first quarter.

kimani vidal’s first nfl touch is a td

📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/D8GD2ZOroo

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 13, 2024

Injuries pile up for Chargers

The Chargers are leaving Denver with a victory despite an avalanche of injuries. It started Saturday when running back Gus Edwards (ankle) and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (shoulder) were placed on injured reserve. On Sunday, edge rusher Joey Bosa (hip) and cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) were both inactive for the second straight game.

During the game, receiver Quentin Johnston suffered an ankle injury. Receiver Ladd McConkey was evaluated for a head injury. Right guard Trey Pipkins (shoulder), cornerback Deane Leonard (hamstring) and tight end Hayden Hurst (groin) all didn’t finish the game. Left tackle Rashawn Slater, who was questionable for the game with a strained pec, missed a series, as well. — Daniel Popper, Chargers beat writer

Los Angeles defense bends, but doesn’t break

The Chargers battled through the injury chaos to build a 23-0 lead. The offense dominated possession in the first half, holding the ball for 21 minutes, 13 seconds. The defense carried a shutout into the fourth quarter.

Down the stretch, the Broncos were able to claw their way back into the game because of the injuries. Starting outside cornerback Kristian Fulton left the game with a hamstring injury in the second half.

The Chargers had two rookies on the outside in Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart. The Denver receivers — in particular Sutton — were able to create more separation after Fulton went out.

The first three quarters amounted to one of the best stretches for coordinator Jesse Minter’s defense this season. The Chargers are still looking for a complete performance on that side of the ball, though. — Popper

that’s j.k. for six

📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/YoNvo5Dd2c

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 13, 2024

Herbert, offense effective early

Offensively, Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman finally turned Herbert loose. Herbert threw 34 times. His previous high on the season was 27 in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Herbert finished with 237 passing yards, by far his most on the season. He passed his season high in the first half alone.

Giving Herbert more chances to throw and create helped the offense considerably, especially in the first half. The offense sputtered in the second half. The Chargers still have not scored a fourth quarter touchdown since Week 1.

Dobbins finished with 98 yards rushing, and he had some crucial runs on the Chargers’ second-to-last offensive possession to take about three minutes off the clock, with the Broncos within 10 points. — Popper

TD, Troy Franklin.

First career TD for the rook.

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/CuAGYl3jS4

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 13, 2024

Broncos offense too late to arrive

The Broncos ran one play in opponent territory during the first half. Denver running back Javonte Williams fumbled on that play and it was recovered by the Chargers. There may be no better way to describe how abysmal the Broncos’ offense was for most of the game.

The Broncos believed they had taken at least a small step forward offensively last week after scoring three second-half touchdowns against the Raiders. On Sunday, they took two giant leaps back. Bo Nix had a 0.0 passer rating in the first half (3-of-10 for 22 yards, one interception). There were protection issues, a key drop and two turnovers, but Nix was also wildly inaccurate.

The Broncos came alive late. Nix hit rookie Devaughn Vele for a 37-yard gain on fourth down and then threw a 2-yard touchdown to Franklin on the next play to put Denver on the board, ending the threat of the first shutout loss in Sean Payton’s career as a head coach. The Broncos converted another fourth down on their next drive on a Nix scramble, and the rookie then threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Sutton, who made a breathtaking catch in the back of the end zone.

But the Broncos failed the two-point conversion, leaving them in need of two scores. They ran out of time as the Chargers melted the clock, a painful reminder of how negatively impactful Denver’s third scoreless first half of the season had been. — Nick Kosmider, Broncos beat writer

Surtain injury could impact two games for Denver

The Broncos lost star cornerback Pat Surtain II to a concussion on their first defensive play Sunday. The injury could also keep him out of Thursday’s game with New Orleans. Though there is no aspect of the league’s return-to-play policy around concussions, players who suffer the head injury in a Sunday game aren’t typically able to pass through the protocol and be independently cleared for a game the following Thursday.

Without Surtain, who blanketed an opponent’s top receiver in every other game this season, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert attacked all areas of the field while throwing for his season-high 237 yards — 184 of which came as Los Angeles built a 20-0 lead in the first half. — Kosmider