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What went wrong for the Broncos in loss to the Chargers on TNF?

What went wrong for the Broncos in loss to the Chargers on TNF?

Well a lot went wrong, but let’s see if we can narrow it down to just a couple of things...


In the Dublin to Denver podcast above, the guys gave their opinion on what went wrong for the Denver Broncos in their 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. However, I have a laundry list to share myself. So let’s air out those grievances.

After thinking about last night’s game a lot, I’ve got a few main grievances that cost the Broncos a game they had well in hand to win.

  1. Sean Payton’s decision-making on the final drive...
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Sean Payton outcoached by Jim Harbaugh in Denver Broncos loss to LA Chargers

Sean Payton outcoached by Jim Harbaugh in Denver Broncos loss to LA Chargers

Sean Payton was outcoached by Jim Harbaugh in last night’s loss.

Payton’s Denver Broncos led 21-10 before half, when his first coaching gaffe cost the team three points.

Then, down in the fourth quarter, the Broncos coach made multiple more mistakes that led to the 34-27 loss.

Sean Payton was outcoached by Jim Harbaugh despite his best efforts

If you had to assemble a top-10 coaches in the NFL, it’s likely three of them would come from the AFC West.

Andy Reid is still the best coach in the league, although Dan Campbell of the Lions is making his...

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Photos from the Broncos 34-27 loss to the Chargers

Photos from the Broncos 34-27 loss to the Chargers

Here are all the best shots from the Denver Broncos brutal loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16.

What a hangover.

The Denver Broncos had everything going for them in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers, but for some reason went away from what was working and proceeded to get blown out. The turning point, though, came at the end of the first half where Sean Payton decided to try to make something happen with less than a minute to go.

Rather than take the blame for poor play calling, he blamed the penalty. While technically...

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Just Run It: Hey Sean Payton, you said it yourself

Just Run It: Hey Sean Payton, you said it yourself

There it was in black and white. Two words that said it all.

RUN IT!!!

Amazon Prime, December’s hardest working company, appeared to have delivered Christmas early in Broncos Country. Back in Denver, where fans of the orange and blue were nestled into their couches, watching the Broncos beat down the Chargers, the Amazon camera zoomed in on Broncos head coach Sean Payton. The shot captured the words that have been atop Christmas lists in Denver for most of the season.

RUN IT!!!

It was as if the coach himself wanted the world to know he’d been listening – that...

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Winners and Losers from the Broncos 34-27 loss to the Chargers

Winners and Losers from the Broncos 34-27 loss to the Chargers

I give you the winners and losers from the Denver Broncos 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 16.

The Denver Broncos entered tonight with a chance to clinch their first postseason berth since Super Bowl 50. They started out hot and had a 21-13 lead at halftime but totally collapsed in the second half and allowed the Los Angeles Chargers to come back and win the game.

Now, the Broncos need to win one of their final two games or get some help if they want to make the postseason.

As for the...

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Broncos flame out against the Chargers in biggest game of the season

Broncos flame out against the Chargers in biggest game of the season

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...

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Denver Broncos second half collapse capizes them vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Denver Broncos second half collapse capizes them vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Denver Broncos had a chance to secure their first playoff berth in nine years with a win on Thursday Night against the Los Angeles Chargers, but penalties and costly decisions capsized them in the second half and makes their road to the playoffs even more difficult with two games remaining.

Denver Broncos capsize vs. Chargers

In a game where the Broncos offense scored touchdowns on their first three drives, the defense let them down in the biggest game of the season. Denver’s defense struggled with penalties and had no answer for Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey, who carved...

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Broncos collapse in second half in 34-27 loss to Chargers

Broncos collapse in second half in 34-27 loss to Chargers

The Denver Broncos sprinted to a 24-13 lead in this game, but the Los Angeles Chargers dominated from there on to send both teams to 9-6.

The Denver Broncos finally had a game where they started fast, but a series of miscues and penalties derailed them in the second half. Most glaringly may have been Sean Payton’s decision to stop running the ball behind Audric Estime in the second half who was averaging five yards per carry.

The result was three second half points and a 24-13 blown lead to the Los Angeles Chargers. They still need to win one...

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Week 16: Broncos at Chargers - Live Coverage

Week 16: Broncos at Chargers - Live Coverage

Come join us to discuss tonight’s Thursday Night Football game between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16.

The Denver Broncos will square off on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football tonight. The winner of this game will put themselves in prime position to control second place in the AFC West and an easier path into the playoffs. A loss for the home team could put the Chargers playoff hopes in doubt, so they should be fired up more than usual for this one.

Kickoff is set for 6:15 p.m. Mile High...

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Denver Broncos Week 16 inactives for Thursday Night Football

Denver Broncos Week 16 inactives for Thursday Night Football

The Denver Broncos are set to kick things off in just under 90 minutes against the Los Angeles Chargers in the biggest game of the last nine years. A win means that the Broncos would be heading to the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season and would end a drought that has impacted the joy of Broncos fans for years.

Which players are active, and which players are inactive?

Denver Broncos release inactives for Thursday Night Football

The Denver Broncos have released their list of inactive players for tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers on...

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Broncos-Chargers inactives for Week 16

Broncos-Chargers inactives for Week 16

Here are your gameday inactives for the Week 16 Thursday Night Football matchup between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers.

The Denver Broncos have elevated rookie running back Blake Watson in light of Jaleel McLaughlin being out for this game. It will be interesting to see how many reps he gets or if Marvin Mims Jr. gets more looks in the backfield tonight. Additionally, defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike is active tonight to help plug the line against the Los Angeles Chargers penchant to pound the rock.

Overall, the Broncos look fairly healthy as they wait for Riley Moss to...

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Broncos elevate running back Blake Watson and defensive lineman Matt Henningsen from the practice squad

Broncos elevate running back Blake Watson and defensive lineman Matt Henningsen from the practice squad

With Jaleel McLaughlin ruled out with an injury, the Broncos have elevated undrafted rookie Blake Watson from the practice squad.

The Denver Broncos have announced that they are elevating undrafted rookie running Blake Watson and defensive lineman Matt Henningsen from the practice squad to their active roster for tonight’s game vs. the Chargers.

With the Broncos ruling out running back Jaleel McLaughlin for this game due to an injury, the team will call on the undrafted rookie Watson for some depth. I would expect Javonte Williams, rookie Audric Estime, and perhaps Marvin Mims to handle the majority of the carries...

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