5 takeaways from the Broncos' 19-16 overtime loss to the Chargers

New week, same story.

The Broncos lost a 19-16 game in overtime to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night football. They sprinted to a 10-0 lead but couldn’t provide a knockout punch.

Now, the Broncos hold a 2-4 record and face a severe uphill battle to make the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

Special teams provide the final blow

The Broncos nearly got a third chance with the ball in overtime.

Returner Montrell Washington waved for a fair catch at his own 32 but a Charges defender pushed PJ Locke into his lap and he wasn’t able to catch the ball. Los Angeles recovered the muff and a few plays later, the Chargers kicked the walk-off field goal.

The field goal was in doubt up until the ball was in the air. Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins dealt with some sort of hamstring tightness during the game. He spent much of the game with a wrap around the thigh of his kicking leg and the Chargers’ punter took over kickoff duties.

Still, Hopkins was a perfect 4-for-4 on the night.

The defense clutches up

Once again, the Broncos’ defense gave the offense countless opportunities to win the game.

Once again, the offense couldn’t take advantage.

Baron Browning added another sack after his breakout performance last week while also contributing an interception, a couple of pass breakups and a couple of tackles for loss.

Jonathan Cooper provided two of the Broncos’ eight hits on Justin Herbert.

Pat Surtain helped contain Mike Williams to two short catches.

Rookie defensive lineman Matt Henningsen notched a sack.

Alex Singleton recorded 19 solo tackles, which ties Derrick Brooks for the second-most in a single game since 1994.

All night, the Broncos were all over the Chargers’ offense.

Los Angeles was able to grind its way down the field for some long possessions. Their 50% conversion rate on third downs was too high. But the Broncos came through when needed needing to hold the Chargers to a field goal or getting off the field on fourth down on all but one occassion.

Russell Wilson drops off

The beginning of the game was wonderful for the Broncos’ offense. They put together a couple of long drives and wound up with 10 points in their first two possessions.

The rest of the game was a different story.

After starting out with 10 consecutive completions, Wilson only hit on five of his next 18 attempts. He put up 188 yards and a touchdown without turning the ball over. Overall, it was a slightly disappointing performance, but his inability to generate points when the Broncos were desperate is concerning.

The big play of the day was a 47-yard bomb to KJ Hamler, but the wide receiver had to wait around for the ball to get to him, which allowed the defense to catch up to him and stop him from scoring.

Wilson hit Jerry Jeudy three times for 54 yards, his second-best total of the season, but he wasn’t able to find his favorite target, Courltand Sutton. Sutton caught two balls for 14 yards.

Not all of the blame belongs on Wilson’s shoulders but he was a key player in the Broncos’ inability to move the ball in the second half and overtime.

Latavius Murray and Greg Dulcich carve out roles

Melvin Gordon was hardly visible on Monday. He carried the ball three times for eight yards. All of those carries came in the first quarter.

Instead, the Broncos rode with Latavius Murray. The 32-year-old back served as a workhorse, carrying the ball 15 times for 66 yards. Those numbers are nothing special but for a plug-in veteran a 4.4-yard average is a good return.

But what will happen at the running back position the rest of the season? Is Latavius Murray the No. 1 back? Will Mike Boone or Melvin Gordon regain some of their touches? Is a trade for a back on the block like Cam Akers or Christian McCaffrey a possibility?

Another key tweak in the offensive personnel was the arrival of Greg Dulcich off the injured reserve list. He was the broncos’ second-leading receiver with 44 yards on two catches and he provided the Broncos’ only touchdown of the game.

Damarri Mathis struggles

The Broncos had a penalty problem in Los Angeles. They were called for 10 penalties that cost them 151 yards. Only two of those penalties, and 15 of the yards, were on the offense.

Rookie cornerback Damarri Mathis filled in for Ronald Darby, who tore his ACL last week, and he struggled in his starting debut. He was called for four pass interference penalties, which cost the Broncos 87 yards. He made a couple of good pass breakups and strong tackles but taking over the NFL lead in pass interference calls in just one game of action was the key storyline.