Broncos rally late for 23-17 win, send Chargers to 0-5

The Broncos still have plenty of work to do on the offensive side of the ball, but they'll get a chance to do it coming off of a win.

Head coach Sean Payton's decision to take back offensive playcalling responsibilities didn't lead to a clear improvement over previous weeks, but the unit was able to do enough to take advantage of Chargers mistakes in the fourth quarter to pull out a win. The 23-17 win moves them to 3-2 on the season and it leaves the Chargers to wait at least another week for their first win.

The Chargers scored a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter to jump into a 17-10 lead and they had a chance to pin the Broncos deep in their own territory with a punt with around 10 minutes left to play. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh opted to go for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 41-yard-line, however, and Justin Herbert was stuffed way short on a sneak.

Bo Nix threw a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton on the ensuing drive and Broncos defensive lineman D.J. Jones forced a Herbert fumble on the ensuing drive. The Broncos opted to kick a field goal after their drive stalled on the 1-yard-line and then added another after safety Brandon Jones picked Herbert off on the next Chargers possession.

Herbert now has nine turnovers on the season and the Chargers helped set up the first Broncos touchdown of the day with another turnover, so it was another chapter in the nightmare that has been unfolding for the team since Week 1. They'll be in Kansas City next Sunday to face a well-rested Chiefs team that's looking to move to 5-0.

The Broncos only had 95 yards of offense in the second half, they went 1-of-12 on third downs and they had no first downs on any of the drives that were not set up by Chargers turnovers, so Payton certainly didn't correct all that was wrong when Davis Webb was sending in the plays. He'll have a short week to try to make progress and a tough defense to work against in Seattle on Thursday night.