Justin Herbert’s magnificent start to the season has hit new heights, and the Chargers are 3-0 this season … and already 3-0 against the AFC West. Herbert led back-to-back scoring drives late — the first capped by a tremendous touchdown pass to Keenan Allen, the second capped by Cameron Dicker’s game-winning field goal — as the Chargers rallied past the Broncos 23-20.
Los Angeles is the first team to start 3-0 with all three wins in division play since the 2006 Bears.
The Chargers led 10-0 in the second quarter after Omarion Hampton’s first career NFL touchdown. The rookie first rounder powered in from 3 yards put just after his fellow running back, Najee Harris, suffered what appeared to be a serious, non-contact ankle injury.
Finally, the Broncos got things going on their penultimate drive of the half. Facing a fourth and 2 near midfield, Sean Payton called a timeout and drew up a deep ball to Courtland Sutton. The Chargers blowing the coverage — it appeared like a miscommunication — made it an easy pitch and catch, and Nix made no mistake this time for a 52-yard score.
That kicked off what was a tremendous stretch sandwiching halftime for the Broncos. Down 10-7 at halftime, Denver got the ball, and JK Dobbins ripped off a 41-yard rush. Two plays later, he made another highlight-reel play, catching a backward Bo Nix pass and avoiding multiple would-be tacklers en route to a 19-yard touchdown.
Derius Davis then fumbled the following kickoff return, and a Wil Lutz field goal made it 17-10, Broncos, with all 17 points having been scored in a five-minute span.
Herbert and Dicker, however would prove the heroes. Halfway through the fourth quarter, he shook off a pass rusher and found Allen for a touchdown, the veteran wide receiver working back to the ball and reeling it in. Then, after Los Angeles forced a three and out, Herbert led the Chargers to the Denver 25, and Cameron Dicker nailed a 43-yard field goal as time expired.