Four-man rush provides excellent protection as a pass is fired over the middle, with Mims in motion. Williams takes the handoff and charges forward for a first down. After playing at Memphis, he’s a free agent pickup. Under pressure from the play action, a pass is expertly delivered to Nate Atkins, securing another first down. On second and seven, Watson finds a gap shredded by Tampa Bay’s defense. Off the fake, a catch is made, and Blake Watson races down the sideline, drawing a flag at the end.
A three-yard penalty is assessed, and Estimate, the running back, punches it in for a touchdown behind B. Powers. That drive took almost six minutes. Herbert, off play action, swings it out, finding room inside with a nice move to the 41. Scott Matlock needs three and gets much more, sprinting to the 40-yard line before being tripped up. Quick pace from Denver, nearly offside, as Joshua Palmer races to the three-yard line. Edwards, the running back, in motion, leverages his backfield position and leans in for a touchdown, just barely stopped outside the goal line.
Nicks, normally tight, stands eight yards from the line, fakes a toss under pressure, and uses his legs to reach the 43-yard line, enough for the first down. With a minute and 40 in the quarter, B. Nicks employs nifty footwork to find an open spot. Rolling, he hits Courton Sudden twice, who now has 900 receiving yards this season, spinning his way to the three-yard line. Javonte fake, Nicks rolls, and throws a touchdown to Michael Burton, the fullback. Nicks, now five of five, delivers to Lad Maki, the promising rookie from Georgia.
A four-man rush results in a first down for Stone Smart. In motion, Edwards is stopped in the backfield by Zach Allen, forcing a 37-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker. They transition from third and inches to fourth and three. A deep drop for Mayfield last week, barely touched, mirrors tonight’s protection for Mims, who remains in bounds until Derwin James halts him at the three-yard line. On second and goal, a pass is caught for a touchdown by Devon B.
Herbert targets the right side, connecting for third down and three, hanging in the pocket and firing. Rookie Blake Watson, newly active, fakes a toss, and Nicks runs, chased by Bosa, gaining a first down. With 4:20 to halftime, Nicks faces pressure and the Chargers capitalize, sending James through. A catch is made past the 40-yard line, taking advantage of the blitz with a pass to Mononi, securing a first down.
From the 26, Herbert dances in the pocket but is intercepted at the goal line by Chris Abrams-Drain, the impressive rookie from Missouri. He’s thrown for 155 yards and two touchdowns, taking us to a timeout called by Jim Haral. Dangerous Davis lines up for a return, the ball is loose amidst a flag, offering options for a free kick, a rarity. Can he make history? Yes, he does.
Nicks in a clean pocket throws a strike to Troy Franklin, reaching the 42-yard line on third and seven. Extra pressure leads to a caught pass, but a first down remains elusive. With three receivers to the right, a timely pass is delivered, moving Portland Shuton to the 30-yard line. Mims, however, is tackled at the 23-yard line. With a potential block or runback, Lut’s kick remains solid from the 36. Herbert, off the fake, dances and runs to the 45-yard line. Maki fires over the middle, securing a first down with the frequency of snaps increasing.
84 snaps into the game, more than any other NFL defensive lineman, Herbert buys time and fires a pass caught at the 25-yard line, advancing to the 14 for a first down. Smartly maneuvering, Herbert avoids a sack, steps up, and slides at the 11, drawing a flag for unnecessary roughness against defense number 40. Edwards finds space, crossing into Bronco territory, maintaining possession despite losing the ball at the 30-yard line. Herbert executes a shovel pass to Haskins inside the 10, culminating in a Chargers touchdown.
Nicks connects for a first down at the 46, identifying a soft spot with ease. Protected well, Williams gains the sideline and a first down, aiming for an onside kick. Lās kick is good, seeking a big hop. The Chargers recover and maintain possession, securing the victory. Despite potential playoff elimination, the Chargers finish strong, overcoming a 24-10 deficit in the first half to secure a 24-13 win.
ovhxrr