Broncos-Chargers Instant Reaction: Denver blows another winnable game

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — This was another game the Denver Broncos should have won. But yet again, they came up short.

The Broncos fell to the Chargers 23-20. Los Angeles sealed the win on a last second 43-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker.

Bo Nix threw for just 153 yards and 1 touchdown. J.K. Dobbins ran 11 times for 83 yards. Courtland Sutton led the Broncos in receiving with 6 catches for 118 yards and 1 touchdown.

The Broncos led 20-13 early in the 4th quarter but the Chargers scored the last 10 points of the game. Nix and the Broncos went three-and-out after they got the ball back with the score tied 20-20 with 2:31 remaining, which set up the Chargers’ game-winning kick.

Here’s what stood out throughout the game.

The Courtland Connection

In the first half, the Broncos’ only hope of offense came on completions from Bo Nix to Courtland Sutton.

The Broncos picked up their first first down of the game with 10 minutes left in the 2nd quarter on a pass from Nix to Sutton. Their second first down was another Nix to Sutton completion. Following the trend, their third first down was from Nix to Sutton.

The Broncos’ first score of the game—and fourth first down pickup—was a 52-yard touchdown pass from Nix to Sutton on 4th-and-2 just before halftime.

COURTLAND SUTTON WIDE OPEN TD

DENvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/d19K5VaYe4

— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025

Sutton ended the game with six catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.

Nix, however, missed Sutton with just over a minute left in the game on a play that would have put the Broncos in scoring range to win the game.

Offense delayed to game

The Broncos’ offense didn’t have a delay-of-game penalty called on them in the first quarter. They were just delayed to the game.

To start the game, Denver’s offense was nonexistent. In the first quarter, the Broncos had 13 nets yards, one rushing yard, 12 passing yards, no punts, no points and three punts.

Leading up to their final drive of the first half, the Broncos’ offense had 32 net yards.

After the slow start, however, the offense caught fire, scoring 17-unanswered points from the end of the second quarter to the end of the third.

Revenge game

Sunday was supposed to be a J.K. Dobbins revenge game as he played his former team for the first time.

However, the Chargers’ defense had other plans in the first half.

In the first half, the former Chargers running back had -4 yards on four carries. Denver’s rushing attack overall struggled mightily in the first half, only racking up 11 total yards on eight carries.

In the second half, though, Dobbins flipped that on its head.

The first drive after halftime, Denver marched down the field for a three-play, 66-yard touchdown drive. Dobbins was responsible for all 66 yards, including the 19-yard touchdown run and a 41-yard run to get the drive going.

Another defensive slow start

For the third time in three weeks, the Broncos’ defense allowed their opponent to score on their opening drive.

On Sunday, Denver’s defense allowed the Chargers to get into the red zone, but held them at the 14-yard line and forced them to kick a field goal.

Leading up to Sunday’s game, Sean Payton stated he was not pleased with the Titans and Colts scoring on their first series of the games. He won’t be happy with it happening for a third time.

Casa Bonitto

After the slow start on defense, Denver’s defenders bounced back in a big way, thanks in large part to their dangerous pass rush.

Led by the highest-paid-defensive player in Broncos’ history, the Broncos got after Herbert time and time again. Nik Bonitto’s two sacks led the way with Jonathon Cooper, John Franklin-Myers and D.J. Jones each adding one as well.

That pressure slowed down the Chargers hot start and allowed the Broncos to make a comeback.

Bad penalties

The Broncos were their own worst enemy on Sunday. Denver’s offense, defense and special teams had costly penalties.

An offsides on punt return gave the Chargers the ball back. A Talanoa Hufanga unnecessary roughness gave the Chargers 15 more yards late in the fourth quarter. A a costly face-mask penalty by Garett Bolles backed Denver’s offense up late in the game.

Denver’s 10 penalties on the game racked up to 90 yards.