Chargers Pull Off Dramatic Win Against Broncos

With just 2:44 remaining in Sunday’s face-off, the Los Angeles Chargers found themselves trailing the Denver Broncos 20-13 at home.

What unfolded next was pretty unexpected—an incredible touchdown that adds another chapter to Justin Herbert’s growing legacy.

On a second-and-six play from the Broncos’ 20-yard line, the Chargers aimed a throw at Herbert. As he took his drop, he faced pressure from Jonathon Cooper, who came charging from the right side.

Herbert swiftly stepped up to sidestep Cooper, but that wasn’t his only challenge; Zach Allen, standing at 6’4″ and weighing 285 pounds, was pushing him from the left. Yet, Herbert managed to wiggle free and rolled left. Linebacker Nick Bonnett stuck close, but Herbert cleverly contorted his body and fired a pass to Keenan Allen in the end zone, making it a touchdown. Talk about a wild completion!

Just how improbable was this connection? According to statistics, it had only a 16.7% chance of success, marking it as Herbert’s least likely completion since the eighth week of last season.

Even with the game tied, there were still under three minutes to play. The Chargers’ defense stepped up, forcing three quick outs from the Broncos in just 54 seconds. Herbert then took over with the Chargers starting at their own 32-yard line, with only 1:43 left on the clock.

It didn’t take him long to make moves:

Herbert quickly connected with rookie tight end Olonde Gadsden on a diagonal route, threading through a pair of defenders to kick off the drive. After two more short completions, one throwing back to Gadsden and the other to Allen, the Chargers were quickly into Broncos territory.

The second completion to Gadsden came later in the play sequence—a secondary option for Herbert, who, at that point, was having to maneuver under pressure.

Herbert’s final pass put the Chargers in position for Cameron Dicker to attempt a game-winning field goal.

On the ensuing play, Herbert took a two-yard jump, and Dicker executed the kick that clinched a 23-20 victory. This win marks a significant milestone for Los Angeles; it’s their first time starting the season 3-0 since Drew Brees was their quarterback back in 2002.

Essentially, the Chargers are now 3-0 for the first time in over two decades.

More impressive, all three wins came against division rivals, propelling the Chargers to a solid lead in the AFC West. This is indeed the first time since the NFL’s reorganization in 2002 that the team has claimed three division victories to open a season.

“Words can’t quite capture how great this victory feels. It’s truly about our team, players, and coaches,” remarked coach Jim Harbaugh following the win. “We’ve won three games, and everyone contributed.”

Sunday’s victory wasn’t solely on Herbert’s shoulders. The defense’s ability to force those last three outs provided a crucial opportunity for Herbert to execute late in the game. Dicker’s field goal couldn’t have come at a better moment, either. Herbert did have a first-half interception that hindered points on the board, but it didn’t derail the team.

“Not every game is a cakewalk. We understood the stakes when we were down, but we knew there were still chances to swing things back. The offense came together by taking the field, and the defense got the ball back with critical stops,” he noted.

Despite some earlier struggles, Herbert was nearly flawless in the fourth quarter.

And over the course of their three games, the Chargers have shown what they’re capable of achieving.