Broncos hang on for ugly 23-17 win over Chargers

The Denver Broncos (3-2) hung on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers (0-5) with an ugly 23-17 win at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season on Sunday afternoon.

Following a punt on Denver's opening drive, Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga forced a Charlie Kolar fumble and fellow safety Brandon Jones recovered the ball. After that takeaway, running back J.K. Dobbins scored on a two-yard touchdown run to give Denver a 7-0 lead with just under seven minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The score was set up by quarterback Bo Nix's 34-yard toss to tight end Evan Engram two plays earlier:

After that touchdown, the Chargers and Broncos exchanged two punts each before L.A. converted a 42-yard Cameron Dicker field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3 with 8:18 remaining in the second quarter. Denver later added a 34-yard Wil Lutz field goal to make it 10-3, which ended up being the halftime score.

In the third quarter, L.A. ate up nine minutes and 28 seconds on a 14-play, 73-yard drive that ended with quarterback Justin Herbert's seven-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hayden Rucci. That score tied the game at 10-10. Later in the third quarter, after Nix lost a fumble, Chargers running back Kimani Vidal scored on a 42-yard run to give L.A. a 17-10 lead.

Broncos punt returner Marvin Mims gave Denver some life in the fourth quarter when his 27-yard return set Denver's offense up at the Chargers' 27-yard line. However, the Broncos only gained three yards before Lutz missed a 42-yard field goal attempt.

On L.A.'s ensuing drive, Denver's defense stuffed Herbert on 4th-and-1 to give the ball back to the Broncos' offense at the Chargers' 41-yard line. Five plays after that turnover on downs, Nix threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton to tie the game at 17-17.

On L.A.'s next drive, Herbert was sacked by Zach Allen and fumbled the ball. Broncos pass rusher Que Robinson recovered it at the Chargers' 23-yard line. After getting down to the one-yard line, Denver initially lined up to go for it on 4th-and-1 before coach Sean Payton called timeout and opted instead to have Lutz kick a 19-yard field goal to make it 20-17 with 5:07 remaining in the game.

Herbert threw an interception right to Jones on L.A.'s ensuing drive, and the Broncos took over at the Chargers' 34-yard line.

That turnover led to another Lutz field goal to increase the lead to 23-17 with 1:08 remaining. L.A. got down to Denver's 40-yard line on their next possession, and the game came down to one final play with three seconds left. Herbert was then sacked by cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian to secure a 23-17 win over Denver.

On the injury front, safety Talanoa Hufanga suffered an ankle injury late in the third quarter. He was later ruled out in the fourth quarter. Devon Key filled in at safety after Hufanga left the game.

Up next, Denver will have a short week before hosting the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football in Week 6. Both clubs will wear their beautiful throwback uniforms in that AFC vs. NFC showdown.

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