The Denver Broncos struggles in the first quarter are officially becoming a problem, because now they’re spilling into the second quarter.

After surrendering a 7:00 touchdown drive to open Thursday’s game in San Diego, the Broncos went down 10-0 by giving up an 18-play, 10:08 drive that spanned the first and second quarters. After a pair of offensive possessions apiece, San Diego had held the ball for 17:03 to just 4:53 for the Broncos and outgained Denver 160 yard to 38. The second drive was the longest of Philip Rivers career.

San Diego used a similar blueprint to what the Atlanta Falcons used to keep the Denver defense on the field in Week 5, routinely targeting the tight ends and running backs and utilizing crossing routes to create mismatches and find pass catchers unguarded.

Denver’s defense eventually responded, forcing three-and-outs on San Diego’s next two possessions, including one that began at midfield with 2:08 to play in the half.

The Denver offense, meanwhile, found no rhythm during the first half, producing just 60 total yards and two first downs. Denver’s only points came after a special teams miscue by San Diego that gave the Broncos the ball at the Chargers’ 11-yard line. Trevor Siemian and the offense produced zero positive yards after the change in possession and had to settle for a field goal.

Through six games, Denver has now been outscored 41-13 in the first quarter – a troubling number for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

As always, the team at Mile High Sports was documenting the action as it unfolded. Here’s what they had to say, along with some of our favorite follows from the Denver media, about Denver’s continued first-half struggles.