The Los Angeles Chargers got their season back on track Thursday night with a hugely important victory over the Denver Broncos. The win vaulted the Chargers back into the No. 6 spot in the AFC playoff race.
The Chargers have winnable upcoming games against the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders so the team could conceivably finish at 11-6 and be in position to make a run in the upcoming playoffs.
Looking back at Thursday night’s action, these players earned game balls for their performances.
Los Angeles Chargers Week 16 game balls
Game Ball #1: Gus Edwards
Gus Edwards wasn’t dominant, but he made big plays when the Chargers needed them, which included scoring two touchdowns. He also had a 43-yard run in the fourth quarter that helped seal the deal.
Game Ball #2: Offensive line
Edwards wouldn’t have been able to make the plays he did without the holes the offensive line opened up but where the unit really stood up was in the passing game.
Justin Herbert had a clean pocket to throw out of for the majority of the night and pressure was kept off of him. Denver, one of the best pass-rushing teams in the league this season, had just two sacks.
Game Ball #3: Ladd McConkey
The rookie McConkey continues to be the best (and sometimes only) weapon Herbert has in the passing game. He makes plays when the team really needs them and that was the case against Denver.
He finished with six receptions for 87 yards and extended his streak of games with at least 50 receiving yards to eight. The last rookie wide receiver to accomplish that was Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014.
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