NFL News & Analysis

NFL Week 6 Game Recap: Los Angeles Chargers 19, Denver Broncos 16

Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the defense of Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (49) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

In a tight, defensive battle, a muffed punt in overtime proved to be the difference in the Los Angeles Chargers19-16 overtime victory against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on Monday night.

The Chargers improved to 4-2 and tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West lead while the Broncos fell to a disappointing 2-4.

Offensive spotlight: Neither quarterback was overly impressive Monday night, as both failed to lead productive offenses Monday night.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert passed the ball pretty well against a tough Broncos defense throughout the contest, finishing 37-of-57 for 238 passing yards and an interception. He struggled to push the ball downfield, totaling 4.2 yards per attempt and posting a 5.9-yard average depth of target, but he was able to generate one big-time throw en route to a 75.0-plus passing grade on first review.

Broncos QB Russell Wilson started off hot, flashing some of the traits that enticed the Broncos to acquire him in the first place, but quickly cooled down, causing the Broncos offense to struggle for most of the second half. Wilson finished 15-of-28 for 188 passing yards and a touchdown. To his credit, he was able to complete multiple explosive (15-plus yards) gains, but he struggled to do much outside of that, and Denver's offense sputtered as a result.

Defensive spotlight: Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II continued his impressive play in coverage, as he spent most of the night covering Chargers No. 1 receiver Mike Williams and yielded only one reception for four yards despite four targets. Additionally, the low number of targets aimed at the second-year cornerback was also a result of his tight coverage throughout the game. Surtain has yet to allow a touchdown this year and has only allowed multiple first-down receptions once through six games.

Rookie spotlight: Rookie tackle Jamaree Salyer put together his second impressive pass-blocking performance in three games, as he allowed just two pressures across 61 snaps in pass protection en route to an 80.0-plus grade on first review. He didn't fare as well as a run blocker, but his ability to keep the boat afloat at left tackle in Rashawn Slater‘s absence has been vital for the Chargers offense.

Offensive line spotlight: A hamstring injury forced Broncos right guard Quinn Meinerz to miss most of Denver's first five games, but he came back with a vengeance on Monday night, allowing zero pressures across 34 pass-blocking snaps while impressing in the run-blocking department as well. The second-year offensive lineman finished with an impressive 80.0-plus grade on first review.

Box Score

Passing
Denver Broncos
Player Fantasy Comp/Att Yds YPA TD Int
Russell Wilson 13.82 15 / 28 188 6.7 1 0
Los Angeles Chargers
Player Fantasy Comp/Att Yds YPA TD Int
Justin Herbert 9.42 37 / 57 238 4.2 0 1
Rushing
Denver Broncos
Player Fantasy Car Yds YPC TD Long
Russell Wilson 13.82 4 23 5.8 0 10
Latavius Murray 7.4 15 66 4.4 0 14
Mike Boone 1.4 1 1 1 0 1
Melvin Gordon III P 0.8 3 8 2.7 0 4
Los Angeles Chargers
Player Fantasy Car Yds YPC TD Long
Austin Ekeler 24.3 14 36 2.6 1 11
Justin Herbert 9.42 2 9 4.5 0 5
Sony Michel 7.2 8 28 3.5 0 7
Receiving
Denver Broncos
Player Fantasy Tgt Rec Yds YPT TD
Greg Dulcich 12.4 3 2 44 14.7 1
Jerry Jeudy 8.4 7 3 54 7.7 0
Latavius Murray 7.4 1 1 -2 -2 0
KJ Hamler 6.4 3 2 44 14.7 0
Courtland Sutton 3.4 3 2 14 4.7 0
Eric Tomlinson 2.6 1 1 16 16 0
Kendall Hinton 1.8 1 1 8 8 0
Andrew Beck 1.7 1 1 7 7 0
Mike Boone 1.4 4 1 3 0.8 0
Montrell Washington 0 1 1 0 0 0
Los Angeles Chargers
Player Fantasy Tgt Rec Yds YPT TD
Austin Ekeler 24.3 16 10 47 2.9 0
Joshua Palmer 14.7 12 9 57 4.8 0
Donald Parham Jr. 8.3 3 3 53 17.7 0
Gerald Everett 7.9 7 5 29 4.1 0
Sony Michel 7.2 3 3 14 4.7 0
DeAndre Carter 4.7 5 3 17 3.4 0
Mike Williams 3.7 6 2 17 2.8 0
Michael Bandy 1.4 2 1 4 2 0
Zander Horvath 1 1 1 0 0 0

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