Broncos eliminated from playoffs despite beating Chargers

Field Level Media|published: Sun 31st December, 19:38 2023

Dec 31, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke (6) gets caught up with Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keelan Doss (86) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. credits: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Jarrett Stidham threw for 224 yards and a touchdown in his first start in nearly a year but the Denver Broncos were eliminated from the playoff hunt despite a 16-9 win against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon.

Stidham took over starting duties from Russell Wilson this week after the Broncos (8-8) lost three of their previous four games and he completed 20 of 32 passes without a turnover. Denver was eliminated when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals.

Easton Stick completed 24 of 38 passes for 220 yards in his third straight start for the Chargers (5-11) since Justin Herbert went down with a broken right index finger against the Broncos on Dec. 10.3

Alex Erickson caught seven passes for 98 yards for Los Angeles, which has lost four in a row and seven of eight.

Wil Lutz booted a 32-yard field goal to give the Broncos a 3-0 lead with 3:55 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Chargers punted on their first three drives before Stick connected on a 27-yard pass to Erickson that moved Los Angeles into field-goal position and Cameron Dicker booted a 36-yarder to tie it 3-3 with 9:43 left in the first half.

Denver struck back on its next drive, as Stidham threw a short pass to Lil'Jordan Humphrey and he weaved through four Los Angeles defenders before falling across the goal line to complete the 54-yard touchdown and give the Broncos a 10-3 lead with 6:37 left in the first half.

Lutz tacked on a 43-yard field goal with 1:53 left in the half to extend the lead to 13-3, but missed wide on a 48-yarder as time expired to keep it a 10-point lead at the break.

The Chargers failed to convert their seventh straight third down to start the game and had to settle for a 50-yard field goal by Dicker that cut the lead to 13-6 with 6:20 left in the third quarter.

Lutz booted his third field goal of the game, a 20-yarder to stretch the lead to 16-6 with 11:19 left in the game.

Dicker's 50-yard attempt was blocked with 6:19 left, but he was good from 52 yards with 1:17 remaining to make it 16-9.

Denver recovered the ensuing onsides kick to seal the win.

—Field Level Media

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