Broncos Can’t Hold On, Lose 23-20 to Chargers to Fall to 1-2

First place in the AFC West was on the line in a Week 3 matchup between the 2-0 Los Angeles Chargers and the 1-1 Denver Broncos.

The first quarter was nothing short of abysmal for Bo Nix and the Broncos offense. Three drives, three three-and-outs, and just seven yards gained on nine offensive plays ran. Luckily, after allowing an opening drive field goal, the Broncos defense was stout and also forcing the Chargers to punt.

The tides started to turn as the Broncos defense halted a 12-play, 61-yard drive with a Brandon Jones interception: both Denver’s first interception of the season and Justin Herbert’s first interception of the year. Denver didn’t score on the ensuing drive, and the Chargers even scored a touchdown on their next drive (with rookie running back Omarion Hampton scoring his first career touchdown), but Jones’ interception may have just saved the game from getting out of hand early.

The first half has been a slug fest in Los Angeles, but the #Chargers finally break through with the game’s first touchdown: and rookie RB Omarion Hampton’s first score. pic.twitter.com/ejw0C0K5S3
— Sak Sports Blog (@SakSports) September 21, 2025

The Chargers led 10-0 with 1:53 remaining in the first half, but Nix was able to quickly move the Broncos offense to midfield before hitting Courtland Sutton for a 52-yard passing touchdown to cut in to Los Angeles’ lead.

After struggling offensively throughout the first half, Bo Nix finds Courtland Sutton for a 52-yard touchdown to make it a three-point game again pic.twitter.com/jUd1E7GJ9g
— Sak Sports Blog (@SakSports) September 21, 2025

Coming out of halftime, Denver received the second half kickoff and picked up where they left off. J.K. Dobbins ripped off a 41-yard run to start the drive, and moments later, scored a 19-yard tip-toe rushing touchdown to give the Broncos a 14-10 lead.

J.K. Dobbins tip-toes for a 19-yard touchdown run, giving the #Broncos a 14-10 lead over the #Chargers pic.twitter.com/pf6ok25htC
— Sak Sports Blog (@SakSports) September 21, 2025

Then, the game really got drunk, as the Broncos forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Denver settled for a field goal and a 17-10 lead, but scored 17 straight points at this point.

AND ON THE NEXT PLAY, THE BRONCOS FORCE A FUMBLE ON THE KICKOFF

Slow, 3-0 game has officially gone nuts pic.twitter.com/h7NwccYqWo
— Sak Sports Blog (@SakSports) September 21, 2025

Herbert and the Chargers responded with a field goal of their own, then the two teams traded quick punts before the Broncos added another field goal, re-gaining their seven-point lead.

Herbert came out gunning for the Chargers late in the fourth quarter, and quickly marched down the field, eventually finding Keenan Allen for a game-tying 20-yard touchdown catch.

HERBERT BREAKS THE SACK AND FINDS KEENAN ALLEN FOR THE TD ⚡️

DENvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/f95wNegDdP
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025

Getting the ball with 2:31 left, the Broncos gained no yards on three plays and ran just 0:54 of clock, which ended up being the reason they lost the game.

Receiving the ball with 1:43 left at their own 32-yard line, the Chargers task was simple, and they delivered. Three quick passes ignited the drive, and then it was pretty much just about getting the ball closer, for the eventual game-winning 43-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker.

CAMERON DICKER WINS IT FOR THE CHARGERS! pic.twitter.com/4xQX54k2sk
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025

The Chargers won 23-20, with the field goal passing through the uprights as time expired, to improve to 3-0 and create a cushion very early in the AFC West standings. The Broncos fall to 1-2, a full two games behind the Chargers through just three weeks, and can now only split the season series with Los Angeles at best.

Bo Nix finished 14-of-25 for 153 yards and a touchdown, with an additional 33 yards on the ground. Nix missed some big throws, including a couple to Marvin Mims Jr. that could have changed the outcome of the game. Despite being stuffed most of the afternoon, running back J.K. Dobbins finished with 83 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries thanks to some long runs.

Justin Herbert enjoyed a prolific 28-for-47 day, passing for 300 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Quentin Johnston had six catches for 89 yards, while veteran Keenan Allen had seven catches for 65 yards and a touchdown.

SEE ALSO: Colorado Beats Wyoming 37-20 in Renewed Rivalry, Ralphie VII’s Debut

The Broncos will host Jake Browning and the 2-1 Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football at Empower Field next week, while the Chargers will travel to MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Giants in their first non-divisional game of the season.

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