Broncos Defeat Chargers 23-17 in NFL Matchup

Wil Lutz kicked a go-ahead 19-yard field goal with 5:07 remaining, lifting the Denver Broncos over the Los Angeles Chargers 23-17 on Sunday. Lutz’s 36-yarder with 1:08 left extended the lead and completed a run of 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter for the Broncos (3-2). Denver earned its first division win and first victory at SoFi Stadium since 2023 with coach Sean Payton calling the plays after taking those duties away from offensive coordinator Davis Webb earlier in the week. The Broncos won without injured cornerbacks Pat Surtain II (ankle) and Riley Moss (ribs). The Chargers started 0-5 in 2023, the year before coach Jim Harbaugh took over. They faced challenges with a decimated offensive line featuring four rookies protecting quarterback Justin Herbert, who completed 14 of 24 passes for 121 yards with one touchdown and one interception while being sacked five times. Courtland Sutton caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix, tying the score at 17 midway through the fourth quarter. The Broncos regained possession after Herbert was stopped short on fourth-and-1, and the Chargers struggled on their next drive. The drive ended when Herbert was sacked for an 8-yard loss at his 24-yard line by Zach Allen, who forced a fumble recovered by Que Robinson. After Lutz’s field goal, Herbert fumbled but recovered, then scrambled for a 12-yard gain before being intercepted by Brandon Jones on fourth down. The Chargers took a 17-10 lead late in the third quarter on Kimani Vidal’s 42-yard touchdown run, following a fumble forced and recovered by Tuli Tuipulotu when Nix attempted to scramble. The Chargers tied the game 10-all on Hayden Rucci’s first career touchdown, a 7-yard pass from Herbert in the third quarter. Herbert set up the score with a quarterback sweep, running 23 yards to the Denver 7 for the first down. The Broncos took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter after Kolar’s first career fumble. Following a face mask penalty by the Chargers, J.K. Dobbins scored a 2-yard touchdown, marking his first rushing score of the season. The Chargers reduced the lead to 7-3 with Cameron Dicker’s 42-yard field goal in the second quarter. Lutz’s 42-yard field goal gave Denver a 10-3 lead on its next possession, during which Jim Harbaugh unsuccessfully challenged calls twice, bringing his career challenge record to 16 of 45 in the NFL.