NFL News & Analysis

NFL Week 17 Game Recap: Denver Broncos 16, Los Angeles Chargers 6

2WA0GB4 Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (4) works in the pocket against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

The Denver Broncos pick up the win in a backup quarterback battle in the AFC West over the Los Angeles Chargers, moving to 8-8 on the season.

Offensive spotlight: With Russell Wilson benched prior to this game, it was up to Jarrett Stidham to lead the way for the Broncos, and he did just that, throwing for 224 yards on 20-for-32 passing, which included a touchdown. Lil’Jordan Humphrey provided the lone touchdown in this game on a 54-yard reception in the second quarter. Outside of that, all the Broncos needed for scoring was provided by three Wil Lutz field goals.

The Chargers also had three field goals in this game from kicker Cameron Dicker, but that was all of the scoring from Los Angeles in this one. Easton Stick was without Keenan Allen and Josh Palmer in this game, so he relied heavily on 2016 UDFA wide receiver Alex Erickson, who caught seven passes for 98 yards. Stick went 24-for-38 for 220 passing yards with no touchdowns. The Chargers went just two-for-11 on third downs in this game and just didn’t have the necessary spark to sustain many drives with so many top offensive players out of the lineup. Austin Ekeler provided the major

Defensive spotlight: Khalil Mack came into this game with 15 sacks on the year but had been held without one for three straight games — tying his longest drought of the season. Mack was able to end that drought in this game, delivering a sack that included six total tackles on the day. Derwin James, who had his role changed and was limited a bit last week, returned to his typical full-time safety role this week and had a strong performance that included two pass breakups, a sack and 12 total tackles.

Rookie spotlight: UDFA running back Jaleel McLaughlin has arguably been the most explosive runner for the Broncos this season, leading the team in yards per attempt (5.6) coming into this contest, and that continued for him this week. McLaughlin ran the ball eight times, delivering a team-leading 44 rushing yards at 5.5 yards per carry. 


Box Score

Passing
Los Angeles Chargers
Player Fantasy Comp/Att Yds YPA TD Int
Easton Stick 11.9 24 / 38 220 5.8 0 0
Denver Broncos
Player Fantasy Comp/Att Yds YPA TD Int
Jarrett Stidham 13.56 20 / 32 224 7 1 0
Rushing
Los Angeles Chargers
Player Fantasy Car Yds YPC TD Long
Easton Stick 11.9 5 31 6.2 0 9
Gerald Everett 7.7 1 6 6 0 6
Austin Ekeler 5 13 46 3.5 0 6
Isaiah Spiller 2.9 1 -1 -1 0 0
Joshua Kelley 0.2 2 2 1 0 1
Derius Davis 0.2 1 2 2 0 2
Nick Niemann 0 1 0 0 0 0
Denver Broncos
Player Fantasy Car Yds YPC TD Long
Jarrett Stidham 13.56 6 6 1 0 4
Jaleel McLaughlin 9.2 8 44 5.5 0 11
Javonte Williams 8.8 15 41 2.7 0 16
Samaje Perine 4.6 4 10 2.5 0 5
Receiving
Los Angeles Chargers
Player Fantasy Tgt Rec Yds YPR TD
Alex Erickson 16.8 8 7 98 14 0
Gerald Everett 7.7 9 4 31 7.8 0
Keelan Doss 7.5 8 5 25 5 0
Quentin Johnston 5.9 6 3 29 9.7 0
Austin Ekeler 5 2 1 4 4 0
Stone Smartt 4.3 2 2 23 11.5 0
Isaiah Spiller 2.9 2 2 10 5 0
Denver Broncos
Player Fantasy Tgt Rec Yds YPR TD
Lil'Jordan Humphrey 14.9 4 2 69 34.5 1
Jaleel McLaughlin 9.2 3 3 18 6 0
Javonte Williams 8.8 3 3 17 5.7 0
Jerry Jeudy 8.4 6 3 54 18 0
Brandon Johnson 6.7 6 4 27 6.8 0
Samaje Perine 4.6 2 2 16 8 0
Lucas Krull 3.4 2 2 14 7 0
Adam Trautman 1.9 2 1 9 9 0
Phillip Dorsett 0 2 0 0 0 0
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