Vance Joseph may not be a popular coach in Denver right now, but his decision to go for a fake punt in the first half helped the Broncos take the 7-6 lead in the second quarter. Unfortunately for the Broncos, they weren’t able to turn Chris Harris’ interception into points, and the Chargers answered with a touchdown of their own to take the 13-7 lead into halftime.
To begin the contest, Denver’s defense bent and didn’t break twice, holding the Chargers’ deadly offense to a mere two field goals and the 6-0 lead.
After the Broncos offense punted on their first two drives, Joseph elected to run a fake punt from the Denver 47-yard line, which was successful. On the next play, Philip Lindsay took off up the gut and to the house, 41 yards with speed to give the Broncos the 7-6 lead.
Then, Chris Harris Jr. intercepted Philip Rivers’ pass, giving Denver phenomenal field position, which was squandered when the Broncos went for it on 4th-and-1 from the 16 yard line and were stuffed.
Following that squandered drive, the Chargers took back the lead when Rivers connected with Keenan Allen on a 13-yard touchdown pass, taking it into halftime leading 13-7.
After LA’s touchdown, Denver put together a nice little two-minute drive, moving the ball to the 40 of LA, but ended up having to punt with 1:03 left on the clock.
Notes:
Lindsay’s 48 yards lead all runners in the game at the break.
Adam Gotsis recorded a sack in the first half, getting to Rivers in the first quarter. Bradley Chubb sacked Rivers to end the half, and Von Miller got to the 36-year old quarterback late in the second quarter.
LA had 10 penalties for 85 yards called on them in the half.
