Broncos vs. Chargers final score, results: Justin Herbert leads second-half comeback to boost L.A. in playoff race

The Chargers appear to be on the verge of playoff return after a Week 16 win against the Broncoson “Thursday Night Football.”

Los Angeles entered Thursday’s matchup having lost three of its last four games, but Jim Harbaugh’s squad came back from an 11-point deficit in the first half to beat Denver, 34-27. The win certainly didn’t come easily, as in a battle between two former Oregon quarterbacks, Justin Herbert made some impressive plays to take down Bo Nix.

The Broncos’ offense was on fire in the first half, scoring touchdowns on each of its first three drives as Nix and multiple players in the ground game led the charge. Following a six-yard touchdown pass from the rookie quarterback to Devaughn Vele in the second quarter, Denver led, 21-10. But the Chargers came storming back from there.

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Gus Edwards’ second score of the night, plus two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Herbert, gave Los Angeles an advantage it held onto in the closing minutes. The two AFC West squads came into the matchup with Denver as the conference’s No. 6 seed and Los Angeles as the No. 7 seed, but following the Chargers’ victory, they flipped playoff positions.

Now, the Chargers (9-6) are inching closer to claiming an AFC wild-card spot. Neither squad will catch the Chiefs, already the AFC West champs, but the Broncos also still have a clear path to the postseason sitting at 9-6 with two games remaining. With Denver’s four-game winning streak coming to an end though, things got a tad more interesting at the bottom of the AFC playoff picture on Thursday. 

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights as the Broncos and Chargers matched up on “Thursday Night Football.” Here’s what you may have missed.

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Broncos vs. Chargers score

Broncos vs. Chargers updates, results, highlights in Week 16 ‘Thursday Night Football’ matchup

(All times ET)

11:19 p.m. — Facing a fourth down but with a few seconds remaining, Herbert skies a pass as high as he can throw it to drain the clock. That’ll do it, as the Chargers win their ninth game of the 2024 season by overcoming an 11-point deficit in the first half. They’ll now be set up nicely to secure a playoff spot over the final stretch of the season.

11:15 p.m. — The Chargers recover the onside kick, giving them an opportunity to kill most of the clock as the Broncos burn their final two timeouts. 

Chargers 34, Broncos 27

11:13 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Denver opts to take a quick field goal rather then take time off the clock in hopes of a touchdown. Wil Lutz knocks it down from 55 yards out to make it a seven-point game, and the Broncos will attempt an onside kick.

11:10 p.m. — The Broncos convert a fourth down with just over one minute remaining.

11:06 p.m. — At the two-minute warning, Denver is still looking to do whatever it can to get back in this game, but it would take two scores.

Chargers 34, Broncos 24

11:03 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — What a drive from the Chargers. Capping a 90 yard series,  Herbert goes to Hassan Haskins, who dances in the open field for a 34-yard touchdown. Now holding a 10-point lead with under three minutes remaining, Los Angeles is on its way to picking up a huge win after trailing 21-10 in the first half.

11:01 p.m. — Gus Edwards follows Herbert with a massive play of his own, charging through Denver’s defense up the middle for a 43-yard pickup. The Chargers are in full control right now.

10:59 p.m. — Herbert comes through with a huge gain on the ground. On 3rd & 10, no Broncos defenders are in the area, and he sprints for the first down and more. The 16-yard play keeps the Chargers’ offense on the field.

10:55 p.m. — With under five minutes remaining, Denver punts once again. Its offense has gone fully cold in the second half, and the Chargers are now in command with a three-point lead and possession.

10:53 p.m. — Look out, Bo Nix. Bud Dupree comes flying in to take the Broncos’ rookie quarterback down to begin the pivotal drive. 

10:48 p.m. — The Broncos shut down the Chargers’ drive with a huge sack on Herbert on third down. Drew Sanders gets the job done to force a punt from Los Angeles.

10:40 p.m. — After their offensive explosion in the first half, the Broncos still can’t get much going in the second half. They punt, and the Chargers now have an opportunity to extend their lead.

10:39 p.m. — Looking for an answer, Nix keeps the Broncos’ drive alive with a 13-yard play to Burton on third down.

10:36 p.m. — Justin Herbert now has the most completions by a quarterback before turning 27 in NFL history:

10:34 p.m. — Here’s a look at the two-point snag from Palmer:

Chargers 27, Broncos 24

10:32 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — The Chargers are on top. Herbert puts an excellent touch on a 19-yard pass to Derius Davis, who reels it in for the touchdown. An incredible catch from Palmer then helps Los Angeles convert on its two-point try. 

10:27 p.m. — A defensive offsides hands the Chargers a free set of downs after reaching a 3rd & 5. Los Angeles can take the lead for the first time tonight with a touchdown.

End of third quarter: Broncos 24, Chargers 19

10:22 p.m. — The third quarter comes to a close with the Chargers approaching midfield. It’s a one-score game at SoFi Stadium, with these two AFC West squads set up for a huge fourth quarter. 

10:16 p.m. — Los Angeles gets a key stop on third down to make things even more interesting. Denver punts with under one minute remaining in the third quarter. 

Broncos 24, Chargers 19

10:11 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — A 10-play drive for the Chargers ends in another Gus Edwards score. However, their two-point drive is no good, keeping their deficit at five.

10:08 p.m. — Denver gets to Herbert for a loss of 10 yards, setting up second and long for Los Angeles. 

10:06 p.m. — Looking to make this a one-score game again, Herbert scrambles for an 18-yard gain. 

Broncos 24, Chargers 13

10:00 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The Broncos’ momentum slowed down, but they still come away with points on their first drive of the second half. They now lead by 11. 

9:58 p.m. — Sean Payton opts to go for it on a 4th & 2, and the Broncos convert with a five-yard play to Sutton. Denver’s offense remains alive early in the second half. 

9:55 p.m. — Nix gets the second half going with an 18-yard completion to Troy Franklin. 

9:48 p.m. — An interesting note: That was the first free-kick field goal since 1976.

Halftime: Broncos 21, Chargers 13

9:36 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The Broncos punted with just eight seconds remaining, but due to a fair catch interference, the Chargers get a free kick. Dicker connects on a 57-yard field goal before halftime in a strange turn of events. 

9:29 p.m. — Herbert is picked off! As he throws to the goal line, Kris Abrams-Draine comes away with the ball. The Broncos take over possession with little time remaining in the half.

9:25 p.m. — Herbert goes to McConkey for a 21-yard play, setting Los Angeles up nicely for some points before halftime. 

9:21 p.m. — The Broncos punt for the first time tonight as time ticks down in the first half.

9:19 p.m. — Los Angeles finally breaks through with a positive defensive play. Joey Bosa sacks Nix for a loss of eight yards. 

9:18 p.m. — Nix opens another Broncos drive with a 15-yard gain on the ground.

9:14 p.m. — This game has been about which team can manage defensive stops so far, and the Broncos just got another. Los Angeles’ drive comes to a quick end, as Herbert’s third-down pass falls incomplete. 

Broncos 21, Chargers 10

9:08 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Denver can’t be stopped right now. Nix’s second touchdown pass of the first half goes to Devaughn Vele, making it three touchdown drives for the Broncos. Nix already has 146 passing yards. 

9:07 p.m. — Goodbye, Marvin Mims. The wide receiver breaks free down the left sideline for a massive 54-yard play, pushing Denver into the red zone yet again. 

9:04 p.m. — Another third down, another Broncos conversion. Nix goes to Williams for an 11-yard gain to keep the fresh drive alive.

Broncos 14, Chargers 10

9:00 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Cameron Dicker connects on a 37-yard kick, pulling Los Angeles within four points. 

8:59 p.m. — Edwards gets stuffed on a 3rd & 1 with the Chargers moving toward the end zone. It’s a massive stop for the Broncos defense, now forcing a field-goal attempt from Los Angeles.

8:58 p.m. — Ladd McConkey gets on the board with his first reception, a 27-yard gain. 

Broncos 14, Chargers 7

8:52 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — The Broncos are back in the end zone, as Nix goes to his fullback, Michael Burton, for the score. Between 73 team rushing yards and 71 passing yards from Nix, Denver’s offense is on fire so far.

8:51 p.m. — Consecutive catches from Courtland Sutton push the Broncos back into the red zone, looking to take the lead.

End of first quarter: Broncos 7, Chargers 7

8:44 p.m. — As the first quarter comes to a close, Denver has already had five different plays run the ball. The Broncos will have another 1st & 10 when the second frame begins. 

8:43 p.m. — Nix makes a big play on 3rd & 9, scrambling up the middle to pick up a first down. Denver continues to find early offensive success.

Broncos 7, Chargers 7

8:36 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Gus Edwards barely breaks the plane from one yard out, and the Chargers are on the board. After giving up an easy touchdown drive defensively, Los Angeles answers with some chunk plays before finding the end zone. 

8:35 p.m. — The Chargers got a free play, and Herbert made the most of it by finding Joshua Palmer for 24 yards. Los Angeles is knocking on the door of tying the game, now with 1st & Goal. 

8:34 p.m. — Kimani Vidal picks up 19 yards on the ground to give Los Angeles something to work with. 

Broncos 7, Chargers 0

8:27 p.m.  TOUCHDOWN — Audric Estime is into the end zone. The Broncos found no trouble moving the ball against this Chargers defense, which also allowed 40 points to Tampa Bay last week. It’s the first touchdown of Estime’s NFL career. 

8:26 p.m. — Denver is chugging along on its opening drive, using multiple running backs and short passes from Nix to enter the red zone. 

8:20 p.m. — On a third and short, Javonte Williams picks up more than enough, going for 15 yards after finding a hole to run through. 

8:18 p.m. — The Broncos’ defense gets off to a strong start, forcing a quick three-and-out for the Chargers on their opening drive. Bo Nix will now get his first shot. 

8:16 p.m. — Denver won the coin toss and deferred, so Justin Herbert and the Chargers get the ball first on “Thursday Night Football.”

8:11 p.m. — The Broncos and Chargers are good to go in SoFi Stadium. This matchup will have significant AFC playoff implications for both of these squads, but also teams like the Colts, Dolphins, and Bengals that are currently out of a playoff spot. 

7:25 p.m. — A pair of former Oregon Ducks quarterbacks are under the spotlight tonight:

7:24 p.m. — And here’s the Chargers’ inactives list:

7:20 p.m. — Under an hour from kickoff, here’s a look at the Broncos inactives list tonight:

Broncos vs. Chargers start time

• Date: Thursday, Dec. 19
• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The Broncos and Chargers will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. 

What channel is Broncos vs. Chargers on today?

“Thursday Night Football” will not air on national television. Fans can stream the game exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Viewers in Canada can stream the game on DAZN.

WEEK 16 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers

Broncos remaining 2024 schedule

Here’s a look at Denver’s final two games of the regular season.

Chargers remaining 2024 schedule

Here’s how Los Angeles will wrap up its regular season.