Broncos struggle on offense again but get an ugly victory over still winless Chargers

The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers were popular picks to win the AFC West this season. It didn’t take long for that to look bad. Sunday’s game was between two teams that each have a multitude of issues. The Chargers season is practically done after losing to the Broncos to fall to 0-5. No team has ever made the playoffs after an 0-5 start, and the Chargers still have a tough schedule ahead. It’s not like the Broncos look like a playoff team either, though they’ll be happy to leave Los Angeles with a win and a 3-2 record. Denver beat a severely decimated Chargers team 23-17, but it was a struggle. The offense, with head coach Sean Payton taking back play-calling from offensive coordinator Davis Webb after four ineffective games, still couldn’t move the ball with any ease. The defense came through but the job was easier because the Chargers had to play multiple rookies on the offensive line due to injuries. The Broncos are 3-2 but haven’t played to that level this season. Bo Nix had just 123 yards passing, Denver had just 224 yards as a team, but that was enough to beat a bad and depleted Chargers team. At least there’s some hope in Denver. The Chargers are set to play out the string for about three months. A lethargic start for both teamsThe Broncos weren’t reborn in the first half against the Chargers, even though Payton was back to calling plays. Though, in comparison to the first four games, it was better. Denver, which had 13 first-half points through four games, scored 10 before halftime on Sunday. They had just 129 yards though. That was still better than the Chargers. Playing without receiver Quentin Johnston and offensive tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, and with receiver Ladd McConkey active but not playing due to injury, the Chargers had just 74 yards in the first half. The Chargers also lost receiver Tre Harris to a hamstring injury during the game. The Broncos didn’t do much to distance themselves and finally the Chargers caught up. Hayden Rucci, who had just 200 yards and one touchdown in his college career at Wisconsin and did not have a catch in his NFL career before Sunday, caught a 7-yard touchdown from Justin Herbert to tie the game. The Broncos were playing a Chargers team that had an offensive line comprised mostly of rookies and a receiving crew that many fans couldn’t recognize, and they still were tied 10-10 late in the third quarter. Chargers take the leadThe Chargers got a spark from an unexpected player. Kimani Vidal broke through several tackles on an impressive run and scored from 42 yards out to give Los Angeles a 17-10 lead late in the third quarter. The Broncos got a big play from special teams when Marvin Mims Jr. returned a punt to the 27-yard line. But the offense is struggling, and it gained just three yards before Wil Lutz missed a 42-yard field goal. That’s how things were going for the Broncos. But the Chargers couldn’t take advantage. They were stuffed on a fourth-and-1 right after the missed field goal and Denver got the ball inside Chargers territory again. This time the Broncos did something with it. Courtland Sutton scored on a 5-yard touchdown catch to tie it. The Broncos got a turnover when Herbert, behind a shoddy offensive line, fumbled on a sack. Denver moved it to the 1-yard line and chose to kick a field goal on fourth down for a 20-17 lead. Then Herbert threw a fourth down interception with 3:19 on a fourth down. Denver tacked on a field goal in the final two minutes after that. Denver’s defense sacked Herbert on the final play to end it. The Chargers looked bad. Justin Herbert didn’t surpass 100 yards passing until the final minute of the game. The defense played well but it wasn’t enough. The Broncos will take it. Wins aren’t easy for them to come by. For the 2026 Chargers, they haven’t experienced a win at all.