The Chargers used a scorching first half on the way to a 23-16 road win over the Broncos on Sunday.
Here is a game recap from Week 6.
First Quarter
Justin Herbert, Rashawn Slater, Derwin James, Jr., Khalil Mack, Denzel Perryman and Eric Tomlinson were the Chargers captains. The Bolts won the toss and elect to defer. The Bolts started on defense and flashed right away as Elijah Molden intercepted Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix on the opening possession.
The Chargers offense started at the Denver 31-yard line and picked up a first down through the air to Quentin Johnston. The Bolts eventually settled for a 20-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker to take an early 3-0 lead.
Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh was evaluated in the blue medical tent and went to the locker room early in the first quarter. He later returned to the sideline.
The Chargers defense kept up their strong start by forcing Denver into a three-and-out on its second possession. The Bolts offense struck with an 83-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by a 38-yard touchdown pass to rookie Kimani Vidal, who scored on his first NFL touch.
Up 10-0, the Chargers defense forced another Broncos punt as rookie Tarheeb Still recorded a pass breakup deep down the field on third down.
The Bolts started at their own 9 and moved the chains on a third-down completion to Joshua Palmer before the end of the first quarter. The Chargers lead 10-0.
Second Quarter
The Bolts offense converted a pair of third downs — one on the ground and one through the air — to get near the red zone before Derius Davis had a 10-yard run to get down to the 16. Palmer then drew a defensive pass interference call on third down to keep the drive alive. But the Bolts stalled out inside the 5-yard line as Dicker kicked a 33-yard field goal to give the Chargers a 13-0 lead.
Mack then got the ball back to the offense as he forced a fumble that was recovered by Teair Tart at the Bolts own 44. Herbert hit McConkey to move the chain on third down and get into Denver territory. Will Dissly then took a screen pass for 20 yards to get down to the Denver 23. J.K. Dobbins then moved the chains on third down again to get to the 12. The Bolts later faced third-and-2 from the 4 before Dobbins powered his way into the end zone to add to the lead. The Chargers led 20-0 at halftime.
Third Quarter
The Bolts began the second half with the ball and picked up a first down but eventually punted it away as they used up four minutes off the clock. Denver was able to cross midfield on its ensuing drive but a pair of penalties forced the Broncos to punt it back to the Bolts. The Chargers moved the chains on a wild 30-yard reception from Simi Fehoko.
Herbert later found McConkey for another third-down conversion before Dobbins ripped off a 14-yard run. Herbert was later sacked, however, and the Bolts had to settle for a 46-yard field goal from Dicker that pushed their lead to 23-0. The Chargers defense, meanwhile, kept swarming as Morgan Fox's third-down sack on Nix forced a three-and-out. The Bolts led 23-0 at the end of the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Denver finally got on the board in the fourth quarter as the Broncos put together a 95-yard touchdown drive. The Bolts went three-and-out on their ensuing drive as the Broncos got the ball back down 23-7. Denver scored to make it 23-13 but the ensuing 2-point play was denied on a big hit from Denzel Perryman. The Chargers got their run game going on the next drive as Dobbins muscled his way into Broncos territory to force Denver to use all three of its timeouts. The Bolts eventually punted before Denver kicked a field goal with 59 seconds left. Denver's onside kick was unsuccessful as the Chargers held on for a 23-16 win.
