With a chance to secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC after the Miami Dolphins knocked off the New England Patriots in the early game, the Denver Broncos wasted no time in getting on top of the San Diego Chargers. On the second play from scrimmage, Brock Osweiler found Demaryius Thomas on a curl route that Thomas turned into a 72-yard touchdown.
That would be the only points the Broncos would score in the half, though, as four Denver turnovers would keep the Chargers in the game. At the half, Denver had accumulated 279 yards of offense to the Chargers’ 93, but led just 7-6 at the half.
San Diego responded to the Broncos opening touchdown on their first possession and put points on the board with a 50-yard field goal by Josh Lambo.
Denver ripped off some impressive runs by both Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson to start the next drive, then went to the jugular with a dagger down the sideline for 47 yards to Emmanuel Sanders. Unfortunately, Sanders got too fancy trying to extend the play and had the ball ripped from his hands by Steve Williams.
But the defense responded, as they have nearly all year, getting a three-and-out on the Chargers’ ensuing possession.
Denver converted a tough third-and-10 to open the next drive on a big catch by Thomas. But another Broncos receiver made a mistake inside Chargers territory and gave the ball back. Jordan Norwood had a ball bounce off his hands and into the hands of, who else, Steve Williams.
Denver held its ground on the next drive, but may have lost a key player on defense when Darian Stewart left the field and sought the trainers after a third-down pass breakup.
Osweiler again got the Broncos into San Diego territory, but he was not content to let his receivers be the ones turning the ball over. Steve Williams came in unblocked off a corner blitz and hit Osweiler from behind, causing a fumble and Denver’s third turnover.
And again, the defense forced a punt; this time on a three-and-out. But Denver couldn’t get anything going on the next drive and were forced to punt from their own 49.
San Diego took over on their own 12-yard line and the Denver defense got a huge sack on third down, taking down Rivers at his five. The sack was Denver’s 50th on the year, which will likely be good enough for best in the league.
But just when it felt like momentum would finally start going the Broncos’ way, Brock Osweiler was hit as he threw on the very first play of the next drive and Adrian Phillips picked off the wobbling pass for San Diego’s fourth takeaway of the half. After holding the Chargers to zero points on the previous three, they put up a field goal.
Denver went three-and-out on their ensuing possession and things were starting to get tense at Sports Authority Field, with Broncos fans starting to boo.
The Broncos defense got another stop, and another sack on Rivers, to give the ball back to the offense with just under one minute to play. Denver couldn’t get anything going on the drive and took a 7-6 lead into the locker room at halftime.
San Diego will receive the second-second half kickoff.
As always, the team from Mile High Sports was on-hand to offer insight and analysis, along with that of our friends in the Denver media, on the action as it unfolded. Our full “tweetcap” of the first half is below…
The Broncos looking to get out to a fast start…
Broncos in the hurry up, right outta the chute.
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) January 3, 2016
Two plays in, DT gives the Broncos the lead…
Uh, that just happened!!! DT turns eight yard curl route into 72 yard TD! #DENvsSD
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) January 3, 2016
Second play of the game and Brock his Demaryius for a touchdown. That was all Thomas.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) January 3, 2016
San Diego responded with a 50-yard FG after they couldn’t convert a third down…
Good drive for the #Chargers but it appears that short throws to RBs the only real threat. #Broncos 7, #Chargers 3 with 10:10 left in 1st Q.
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) January 3, 2016
On the ensuing drive, the Broncos went to the ground…
#Broncos CJ Anderson just trucked Jahleel Addae…
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) January 3, 2016
Then hit Emmanuel Sanders with what could have been a dagger play, until…
Emmanuel Sanders with a big play and then he fumbles it at the five. Major mistake by the #Broncos receiver
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) January 3, 2016
Thankfully, the defense responded as they have much of the year…
Wolfe just recorded his 8th tackle for loss of the season. Bolts forced to punt.
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) January 3, 2016
DT continued to come up big, pulling down a third-and-10 to open the next drive…
DT looks fully engaged #Broncos
— Robin Carlin (@robincarlin) January 3, 2016
But another mistake by a receiver cost the Broncos inside Chargers territory…
Two giveaways in 3 series. Osweiler's pass skips off Norwood's hands and is picked off by Steve Williams.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 3, 2016
Denver got a stop on the next drive, but a big injury concern popped up…
Stewart makes a great play but quickly walks to sideline and throws his helmet. Definitely hurt on the play. #DENvsSD
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) January 3, 2016
Jordan Norwood got redemption on a big third down on the next drive…
Brock on the deep post to Norwood for 34 yards on 3rd and 5. Norwood takes a pop and holds on! #SDvsDEN
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) January 3, 2016
Denver’s offense was firing well through 15 minutes of play…
#Broncos controlling game with 237 total yards to just 68 for the #Chargers but two turnovers have kept score at 7-3 after one quarter.
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) January 3, 2016
But a third turnover put the Broncos in a very precarious position…
This is what you don't want to do. Give a bad team hope. #Broncos are doing that. 3 really bad turnovers
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) January 3, 2016
It really was the Steve Williams show for San Diego…
#Chargers Steve Williams now has two forced fumbles, one recovery and an INT. Wow!
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) January 3, 2016
Thankfully, the Denver defense continued to bail out the offense…
Defense comes through again. As painful as the turnovers are they aren't turning into SD points. #SDvsDEN
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) January 3, 2016
And as the quarter wore on the defense continued to prove why it is one of, if not the best in the league…
#Broncos should clinch sack title.. Wolfe registered the team's 50th of season.. #Patriots finished with 49 earlier today..Team record is 57
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) January 3, 2016
But Denver simply could not shake the turnover bug…
Osweiler's arm hit on the pass after Schofield gets beat again. Interception. No, seriously. #SDvsDEN
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) January 3, 2016
Despite their four turnovers, the Broncos were surprisingly keeping the Chargers in check…
What's more amazing, #Broncos' four turnovers or the #Chargers' three points off turnovers?
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) January 3, 2016
It’s an opportunity the Broncos really couldn’t afford to let slip away…
Any top-third team in the NFL would be up 14-plus on the #Broncos right now with these turnovers. They are lucky the #Chargers are in town.
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) January 3, 2016
But in Denver, there are high standards…
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/683780251181162496