Broncos vs. Chargers Open Thread/Live Blog | Week 8
In an AFC West throwdown between a couple of 2-4 clubs, the Denver Broncos will host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8. Although their respective records are the same, the two teams are on a completely different trajectory.
The Chargers are rolling, having finally won their first game with Justin Herbert at quarterback, while the Broncos are coming off an ugly loss and Drew Lock's worst game as a pro. As a measuring stick, especially considering it is the first head-to-head matchup between these two young quarterbacks, Week 8's bout between these teams is likely to reveal which direction the rest of the season will take.
Will the Broncos bounce back, specifically, Lock and the offense, and answer the bell against a divisional foe? We'll know soon enough.
Meanwhile, join us as we live-blog and discuss LACvsDEN here in our weekly Open Thread. Dive into the conversation — it's easy — by simply going to the top of the site and in the bottom right-hand corner of the Mile High Huddle logo, click the follow button.
You can log in with Facebook or Google and either way, it's free. From there, sound off in the comment section and share your takes and observations with our staff, subscribers, and fellow members of the MHH community as we react to the game in real-time.
What to Watch For
Bradley Chubb | OLB: Needs 0.5 sacks to increase his sack streak to four games, which would be the second-longest of his career (2018, Games 6-10).
Melvin Gordon | RB: Needs 70 receiving yards to reach 2,000 receiving yards in his career.
Kareem Jackson | S: Needs one pass defensed to become the 13th player (ninth active) since he entered the league in 2010 to record 100 passes defensed.
Jerry Jeudy | WR: Needs 14 yards to become the third Broncos rookie WR to reach 300 receiving yards by his seventh game (Eddie Royal - 2008, 461 yds; Rich Upchuch- 1975, 370 yds.).
Albert Okwuegbunam | TE: Needs five catches to become the second tight end in NFL history (Keith Jackson, 17 - Phi., 1988) to record 14 catches through the first three games of his career.
Michael Ojemudia | CB: Needs one forced fumble to become the ninth rookie cornerback to force three fumbles in a single season.
Tim Patrick | WR: Needs 113 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for his career.
Brandon McManus | K: Needs 17 points to pass Matt Prater (2007-13) for the third-most points (682) in franchise history.
Sam Martin | P: Needs seven punts to become the ninth active player with 500 career punts.
Inactives
First Quarter
Chargers win the toss. Defer.
Broncos receive. Touchback.
Two runs to Melvin Gordon to open the game. One yard gained, bringing up 3rd-&-9.
Lock completes to Jerry Jeudy short of the sticks. Gains only three yards. Punt.
Herbert self-sacks on first down. Malik Reed credited.
On 3rd-&-long, Herbert is picked off by Justin Simmons, returns it all the way to the Chargers' 16-yard line.
Lock is in business.
Broncos penalized for illegal formation on first down, knocks them out of the red zone.
Lock scrambles for no gain. On second down, he fires incomplete to Jeudy.
On third down, Lock hits KJ Hamler underneath well short of the sticks. Broncos have to settle for a field goal.
Brandon McManus connects from 35 yards.
Broncos 3, Chargers 0
Chargers move the chains on 3rd-&-5 as Herbert connects with Keenan Allen short of the sticks, but A.J. Bouye is unable to tackle him short.
On 2nd-&-6, Chargers' left tackle Sam Tevi penalized for holding, putting them behind the sticks.
Two incompletions later, and the Chargers punt.
Bryce Callahan returns it eight yards to the Denver 40-yard line.
Broncos go three-and-out after Garett Bolles is penalized for a block in the back on first down.
Chargers pinned deep but Herbert is slapping together a drive.
John Kelley picks up 22 yards on second down.
On 3rd-&-9, Herbert winds up and hits Mike Williams for a 19-yard gain. Chargers now in Broncos' territory.
On 3rd-&-2, Broncos get pressure, Herbert scrambles and is hit hard short of the sticks. Chargers likely to settle for a field goal as the first quarter comes to an end.
Broncos 3, Chargers 3
Second Quarter
Chargers are going for it on 4th-&-1 from the Broncos' 25-yard line.
The give goes to Kelley but he's swallowed up by Dre'Mont Jones. Turnover on downs.
On 3rd-&-6, Lock connects with Jeudy on a slant, moving the chains. Broncos pick up their first first down of the day.
On 2nd-&-10, Lindsay tackled for a loss. Broncos' O-line really struggling today. Brings up 3rd-&-12.
Lock completes to Gordon for a 5-yard gain, tackled well short of the sticks. Broncos forced to punt.
Sam Martin punts 46 yards but K.J. Hill returns it 30 yards. Chargers start off on their own 40-yard line.
On 3rd-&-2, Chargers call a quick slant to Justin Jackson, moving the chains.
Broncos get the stop on third down as Herbert throws incomplete to Allen. Punt.
Broncos starting to move the ball. Lock relaxing a little more in the pocket with a few shorter completions that have moved the chains.
Lock uncorks deep on first down, missing Jeudy by a step down the left sideline.
Broncos move the chains with a Lock-to-Hamler connection for 12 yards. Chargers penalized for illegal use of hands and Bolles penalized for holding. Offset.
The Bolles' holding foul ultimately costs the Broncos all their momentum. On 3rd-&-12, Lock hits Noah Fant for nine yards. Punt.
Martin booms the punt but the ball bounces into the end zone. Touchback.
On 2nd-&-8, Herbert hits Jackson as an outlet who promptly picks up 34 yards.
On the ensuing play, Herbert hits Allen for 22-yard gain. Chargers now deep in Broncos' red zone.
Chargers punch it in on third down as Herbert hits Allen. L.A. takes the lead.
Chargers 7, Broncos 3
Broncos try to run a two-minute offense but it is ineffectual. Three-and-out after Lock's 3rd-&-4 pass to Jeudy falls incomplete. Punt.
Chargers moving the ball like a hot knife through butter. Now have crossed the 50-yard line with 35 seconds to go after Herbert hits Pope for an 11-yard gain.
Herbert hits fullback Gabe Nabers for a touchdown on the goal-line. Chargers extend lead.
Chargers 14, Broncos 3
Third Quarter
Chargers receive.
The momentum continues as Herbert leads the Chargers 75 yards on 10 plays, punctuating the drive with a 24-yard dime to Williams.
Chargers 21, Broncos 3
Lock and the Broncos have no spark coming out of halftime. Three-and-out.
Chargers go 40 yards on eight plays but stall on third down. Field goal extends the lead.
Chargers 24, Broncos 3
The pressure is on Lock. On 3rd-&-8, he connects with DaeSean Hamilton over the middle of the field.
Two plays later, Lindsay takes it 55 yards to the house.
Chargers 24, Broncos 10
Chargers threaten but can't move the chains on 3rd-&-10 from their own 48-yard line. Punt.
On second down, Lock picked off by Rashawn Jenkins. Lock failed to look off the safety, stared down Jeudy down the right sideline. Turnover.
Chargers start on the Broncos' 24-yard line.
On 3rd-&-5, Herbert targets Williams in the end zone. Picked off by Bryce Callahan.
On ensuing possession, Broncos moving the ball but DaeSean Hamilton gets flagged for an illegal block above the waist.
Two plays later, Bolles flagged for false start as the third quarter comes to an end.
Chargers 24, Broncos 10
Fourth Quarter
On 3rd-&-16, Lock connects over the middle with Jeudy, who has room to run and picks up 43 yards.
Lock hits Albert Okwuegbunam for a 9-yard touchdown. The rookie tight end gets one foot and his rear end in-bounds. Broncos narrow the margin.
Chargers 24, Broncos 17
Chargers drive, picking up 46 yards on eight plays. Stall on third down but the 47-yard field goal makes it a two-score game.
Chargers 27, Broncos 17
Lindsay picks up 20 yards on the right side, but Nasir Adderley flagged for a late hit out of bounds, giving Broncos an extra 15 yards.
On 1st-&-10, Lock connects with Hamilton over the middle, who takes it 40 yards to the house. Broncos narrow the margin further.
Chargers 27, Broncos 24
Herbert moving the ball. Dumps off the screen to Jackson, who promptly picks up 15 yards.
Next play sees Jackson carry for 18 yards. Chargers are now on the Broncos' 17-yard line.
Kelley picks up four yards but Hunter Henry penalized for a crack-back block. Backs the Chargers up to the 31-yard line.
Broncos have given up 209 rushing yards at home.
Herbert throws short on third down, but Henry breaks three tackles to pick up 13 of the 21 needed, giving the kicker and easy attempt.
Michael Badgley connects on the 33-yard chip-shot. Chargers extend lead.
Chargers 30, Broncos 24
Tyrie Cleveland returns the kick out of the end zone, but fails to get to at least the 25-yard line. Broncos will start from their own 19-yard line.
Gordon gets the carry on first down, picking up six yards.
Lock dumps off to Gordon on second, picking up three yards. Brings up 3rd-&-1.
Two-minute warning.
Broncos move the chains on third down, with Gordon picking up 10 yards.
A quick dump off to Gordon picks up two yards.
On 2nd-&-8, Lock misses a wide-open shot at Fant.
On 3rd-&-8, Lock hits Okwuegbunam, ball falls incomplete. Chargers flagged for pass interference, giving Broncos a new set of downs.
On 3rd-&-5, Lock hits Gordon who stretches for the first-down market. Upon review, Gordon picks it up.
Broncos call their final time out.
On 4th-&-forever, Lock targets Okwuegbunam in the back of the end zone. Falls incomplete but the Chargers flagged for pass interference.
Broncos get the ball on the 1-yard line with one second to go.
Lock rolls right, hits Hamler in the end zone for the touchdown. Review holds up the call.
Broncos 30, Chargers 30
On the extra-point, the Chargers get flagged for the illegal formation. McManus' attempt is good. Penalty declined.
Broncos' comeback is complete.
Broncos 31, Chargers 30
