Mile High Report
After a hot start to the game, the Denver Broncos flamed out in the second half and lost to the Los Angeles Chargers 34-27.
Win and you’re in. That’s all the Denver Broncos had to do on Thursday Night Football to secure their first playoff berth in nine years.
But after a hot start, the team collapsed in every phase in the second half and lost to the Los Angeles Chargers 34-24. Talk about a punch to the gut.
The Broncos still control their own destiny and can secure a playoff spot with a win in one of their last two games. Yet Broncos Country has reason to be concerned about that happening after tonight’s devastating defeat. Flashbacks to the team’s 2006 campaign are already rolling through my brain. Does anyone else feel the same?
Here are some instant reactions and thoughts from tonight’s heartbreaking loss.
The Broncos’ biggest issue all season long has been their lackluster ability to run the football. Against a top-ranked Chargers’ defense, Head Coach Sean Payton made that a point of emphasis in his first drive. His play call sheet had ‘Run it!’ in all caps on the top—and that’s precisely what they did to jumpstart their offense.
Payton showed his prowess as a play caller and showcased every different running back the Broncos had active for today’s game. The result? Six first downs, 43 rushing yards and 31 passing yards. That’s 74 total yards which was capped off with a 3-yard touchdown run by rookie Audric Estime.
The Broncos’ defense allowed a Chargers’ touchdown on the second drive, but Bo Nix and company followed up with another of their own. The offense embarked on 14 play drive that went and 70 yards, took nearly six minutes off the clock, and resulted in a 1-yard Michael Burton touchdown reception.
Los Angeles followed up with a field goal. And guess what? Denver answered the call again. On the Broncos’ third drive, they excelled in both phases once again and after 9 plays and 75-yards—a third first half touchdown courtesy of Devaughn Vele.
Overall, the Broncos finished the first half with 21 points, 236 yards (147 passing, 89, running) and were 60-percent on third down conversions. They controlled the clock for nearly five more minutes than the Chargers. Nix was 15-of-21 for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half. This was arguably the best the Broncos’ offense has looked through two quarters all season long.
Broncos Country was feeling confident and riding high after the first 30 minutes of play, but any hope and promise that showed in the first half quickly evaporated in the second half. And that last series of play calls right before the end of the first half might have been the signal that bad things were on the horizon.
I guess Sean Payton forgot what...
