INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers are one step closer to clinching a playoff spot.
Justin Herbert and the Chargers beat the Denver Broncos 34-27 in a pivotal prime-time AFC West battle.
Herbert engineered a go-ahead, 78-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter, and the Chargers were able to preserve their lead and hold on.
Denver and Los Angeles entered Week 16 allowing 17.6 points per game, tied for the top mark in the NFL. Yet, both offenses were able to move the football at different portions of Thursday’s game.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Chargers, who have swept the season series against Denver. The victory gives the Chargers a 97% chance to reach the postseason, according to NFL.com.
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USA TODAY Sports breaks down the winners and losers from Thursday’s matchup:
Herbert was stellar Thursday night, aside from a bad interception in the second quarter.
The Chargers quarterback led Los Angeles on a go-ahead, 78-yard touchdown drive early in the fourth quarter that gave the Chargers momentum. His 19-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Derius Davis was a highlight, off-platform throw that showcased the QB’s arm strength.
Later in the fourth quarter, Herbert orchestrated a six-play, 90-yard touchdown drive. He scrambled for 16 yards on third-and-10. A few plays later, he tossed a shovel pass to RB Hassan Haskins and the running back scampered for a 34-yard touchdown.
Herbert passed for 284 yards, two touchdowns and one interceptionm in the win. The Chargers QB completed passes to 10 different players. He’s on pace to throw for the most yards in a player’s first five seasons.
Herbert currently has 20,466 passing yards. Peyton Manning passed for an NFL-record 20,618 yards in his first five seasons.
Dicker converted a 57-yard fair catch kick. It was the first successful fair catch kick since 1976, and the longest one in league history.
A Broncos fair catch interference at the end of the first half led to the rare opportunity.
Dicker also made a 37-yard field goal.
Both teams came into Thursday night allowing an NFL-low 17.6 points per game.
However, the Chargers’ defense gave up 21 points in the first half as Bo Nix led the Broncos on three consecutive scoring drives of at least 70 yards to begin the game.
But Los Angeles’ defense settled in during the second half, holding Denver to 119 yards and two field goals after halftime.
Denver was 5-for-13 on third downs in the game.
The Chargers’ slot wide receiver knows how to get open. McConkey had six catches on six targets for 87 yards.
The Chargers have a 97% chance to make the playoffs after Thursday night’s victory, per NFL.com.
The Broncos are currently 1-6 versus opponents with winning records this season.
They have a difficult schedule remaining: Denver is on the road versus the Cincinnati Bengals next week and has a home date with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18.
The Broncos got called for a fair catch interference that led to Dicker’s successful fair catch kick to end the first half. Late in the third quarter, the Broncos were flagged for an unnecessary roughness that extended the Chargers’ drive. RB Gus Edwards rushed for a 5-yard touchdown after the penalty.
The two penalties assisted in 10 Chargers points.
The Broncos went 2-for-8 on third downs in the second half and didn’t have a drive over 47 yards.
Denver’s defense wasn’t much better. The Broncos gave up three touchdown drives in the second half, including a six-play, 90-yard touchdown drive that put the game out of reach.
Denver was outscored 21-6 after halftime.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
