The San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos met in an AFC West matchup on Thursday Night Football, with the Chargers pulling off the upset.
Week 6 of the 2016 NFL season started out with an AFC West matchup on Thursday Night Football, as the San Diego Chargers played host to the Denver Broncos. The two teams came into the game headed in different directions, as the 4-1 Broncos were tied for the division lead with the Oakland Raiders. The Chargers entered Thursday’s contest at 1-4, good for last place in the AFC West.
San Diego got the scoring started in the first quarter, as Philip Rivers hit tight end Hunter Henry for a five-yard touchdown. The play capped a 12-play, 75 yard drive, putting the Bolts up 7-0. The two teams would trade field goals in the second quarter, as they headed to halftime with San Diego up 10-3.
The biggest highlight of the first half may have been by Rivers, who passed Hall of Famer Dan Fouts for first place on the Chargers all-time passing list. Rivers, who has been one of the best quarterbacks in the AFC for many years, set the record on a 12-yard pass to Henry.
After the half, the Chargers had a golden opportunity to take a commanding lead, but had to settle for a field goal by Josh Lambo. Melvin Gordon scampered down to the six-yard line on a 48-yard rush, but the team was not able to punch it in. San Diego did get the ball right back, as Korey Toomer forced and recovered a fumble to give the Chargers possession deep in Broncos territory. However, they had to settle for another field goal, putting them up 16-3.
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San Diego’s defense played inspired defense, flying all over the field throughout the game. The issue for the Bolts was that they were unable to turn good field position into touchdowns, as another Lambo field goal gave them a 19-3 lead. Denver tried to cut the lead late in the third quarter, but Brandon McManus could not hit from 56 yards out.
Denver would score a touchdown in the fourth quarter to bring the game close, as Trevor Siemian hit Bennie Fowler to cut the lead to 21-10.
The bugaboo all year for San Diego has been their inability to close out games, but that all changed in this one. Instead of fumbling away another victory, the Chargers actually forced a huge fumble late in the game, leading to the win. A field goal with 0:27 second left made it a one-score game, but the Bolts held on for the second win of the season.
Highlights
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Three Stars
1. Philip Rivers
It was a record-setting night for Rivers, who passed Dan Fouts for first all-time on the Chargers passing list. Rivers hit Hunter Henry for a 12-yard reception for the record. The 2016 season has been a tough one for the Chargers, but Rivers has been consistent all season long. He was effective again on Thursday night, throwing for 178 yards and a touchdown.
The biggest thing about Rivers this season is that he continues to keep his team in games. Despite some heartbreaking losses, Rivers has kept his head up. Many people wrote off San Diego in this game, but it was Rivers’ performance in the first half that gave the team confidence that they could hang with the Broncos.
2. San Diego Defense
After allowing 34 points to the Oakland Raiders last week, and 35 to the New Orleans Saints the week before, the Chargers came into the game with a lot of question marks on defense. However, they stepped up at home against the Broncos, allowing only one touchdown in the game. They stymied second-year quarterback Trevor Siemian, who was coming back from missing last week due to injury. Siemian was able to get a lot of his yards in the fourth quarter, when the Chargers backed off to preserve the victory.
The biggest play of the game was made by Jatavius Brown, who after sacking Siemian, forced a huge fumble on star wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. The play ended a huge Broncos drive in the fourth quarter, and just may have saved head coach Mike McCoy’s job. Brown finished the game with 14 tackles.
3. Denver Broncos Defense
Not much offensive power in this game, as the two defenses pick up some stars in this one. The Broncos defense were put in tough situations all game, and time and time again, held the Chargers out of the end zone. In fact, the only touchdown of the game came in the first quarter for San Diego, when Rivers hit Henry for a 5-yard TD.
Denver’s defense is regarded as one of the best in the league, and they proved why on Thursday night. In a game where the offense struggled to move the ball for the first three quarters, Von Miller and company kept the pressure on the Chargers. The unit sacked Rivers twice, hit him six times, and had six tackles for a loss. Another big effort by a big time defense.
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Next Week
The San Diego Chargers will hit the road to face the red-hot Atlanta Falcons in Week 7. Denver will have extra time to prepare for their home game against the Houston Texans, as they will welcome back former quarterback Brock Osweiler for a Monday night matchup next week.