GALLERY: Broncos escape Chargers’ fourth-quarter comeback on ‘MNF’

The Denver Broncos defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 24-21 in a dramatic finale to Week 1 of the 2017 NFL season on Monday night.

Quarterback Trevor Siemian threw for two touchdowns and rushed for one to stake Denver a 17-point fourth-quarter lead before Philip Rivers and the Chargers came storming back.

A pair of turnovers late in the game nearly spelled doom for Denver, but a blocked field goal in the game’s final seconds preserved the win.

Our partners at USA Today Sports Images had photographers on hand capturing the top moments in Denver’s dramatic season opening victory.

Debut Performances

First-year head coach Vance Joseph and rookie wide receiver / returner Isaiah McKenzie were fired up ahead of their first regular season NFL game with the Broncos. Joseph earned his first win and McKenzie had an impressive 31-yard punt return on his first touch.

Reunion

Former Chargers head coach Mike McCoy, now the offensive coordinator in Denver, reconnected with his quarterback of the past four years, Philip Rivers. The QB passed for 192 yards and three touchdowns, two of which came in the fourth quarter.

First Things First

Bennie Fowler III recorded Denver’s first touchdown of the year – a five-yard pass from Trevor Siemian on third down to give the Broncos an early lead. The duo connected on a 10-yard strike earlier in the drive. Fowler had both of Denver’s touchdown receptions in the game.

Over the Top

Chargers running back Melvin Gordon evened the score on the next possession with an acrobatic leap over safety Justin Simmons. Gordon’s 11-yard catch and run to the end zone was L.A.’s only offense until the fourth quarter.

Slippery Siemian

Trevor Siemian showed he has a few moves when he danced his way into the end zone, cutting upfield against Joey Bosa (not pictured) and leaving the 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year in the dust. The score gave Denver a 14-7 halftime lead.

Bro Hug

Siemian and rookie left tackle Garett Bolles were exuberant after the quarterback’s rushing touchdown. After the game, Bolles’ wife joked on Twitter, “He doesn’t even hug me like that…”

Toughing It Out

It wasn’t all rosy for Trevor Siemian on the night, however. He was sacked four times in the game, including this piledriver from Chris McCain in the second quarter.

Sack Barrett

In his first full game back from an offseason hip injury, Shaquil Barrett showed he hasn’t lost a step. He logged a sack – Denver’s only one of the game – in the third quarter.

Don’t Call It a Comeback

Keenan Allen pulled down one of two Chargers fourth-quarter touchdowns. This one cut Denver’s lead to 14 points.

Too Close for Comfort

On L.A.’s very next drive (after a Jamaal Charles fumble), Philip Rivers hit Travis Benjamin on a 38-yard touchdown strike on the first play of the drive to pull within three points.

No Breathing Room

Virgil Green responded on Denver’s very next play with a 44-yard reception to put the Broncos in field goal range. Back-to-back sacks pushed them back, however, and Brandon McManus missed a 50-yarder that would have given Denver a six-point cushion.

Second Time’s the Charm

Chargers kicker Younghoe Koo nailed his first attempt at a game-tying field goal in the closing seconds of the game, but Vance Joseph had called a timeout just before the snap. Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris took advantage on the second try, getting a hand on Koo’s next kick and effectively ending the game.