3. Defense keeps battling<\/p>\n
If we’ve learned anything through five games, it’s that Chargers Defensive Coordinator Chris O’Leary’s<\/a> group can play.<\/p>\n “The defense played outstanding again,” Herbert said Sunday.<\/p>\n The Bolts allowed a healthy Broncos offense to rack up just 224 yards on 57 plays, good for just 3.8 yards per play.<\/p>\n Besides Tuipulotu’s turnover, the Chargers limited the Broncos to just 1-of-12 on third downs.<\/p>\n Quarterback Bo Nix threw for just 123 yards and was sacked by Akheem Mesidor<\/a>.<\/p>\n Harbaugh lauded the unit for their efforts postgame.<\/p>\n “Multiple stops, three-and-outs, huge turnover, sudden change, stops. I think our defense played their hearts out,” Harbaugh said.<\/p>\n The Broncos went three-and-out on six of their 13 drives Sunday.<\/p>\n All in all, while the unit allowed 23 points, Denver’s pair of touchdown drives covered 40 and 41 yards, respectively.<\/p>\n A first-half field goal drive went 60 yards while a pair of field-goal drives in the fourth quarter only went 16 and 22 yards, respectively.<\/p>\n “There’s some plays we want back. But ultimately, there’s a lot of things I feel like we can do at an elite level,” Mack said.<\/p>\n 4. Herbert rues 4th-quarter turnovers<\/p>\n Herbert helped will the Chargers into the lead in Week 5 with his play-making ability and unquestioned toughness.<\/p>\n But the Bolts quarterback also faltered late Sunday by committing a pair of second-half turnovers against Denver.<\/p>\n The first came moments after Denver had tied the game at 17.<\/p>\n With Herbert under duress, he tried to throw the ball away late but lost control of it. Denver recovered and kicked the go-ahead field goal.<\/p>\n Herbert then threw an interception on the Bolts next possession, which led to another Broncos field goal.<\/p>\n “Just can’t turn the ball over. You can’t expect to win games when you turn the ball over. Got to do a better job there,” Herbert said.<\/p>\n Herbert has now accounted for nine turnovers, including seven interceptions, through five games.<\/p>\n “Trying to make a play. We did not put him in the best situation to win the game,” Harbaugh said. “He was fighting to do so and was trying to do everything in his power [to win].”<\/p>\n 5. Chargers start 4 rookies along OL<\/p>\n The Chargers rolled out a young offensive line Sunday that featured four rookies and included three players making their first NFL start.<\/p>\n