Los Angeles Chargers survive in overtime vs. Denver Broncos. Here is what we learned.
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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Week 6’s final game was a contentious AFC West battle that went into overtime.
The Denver Broncos jumped out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead and didn’t trail though four quarters.
The Monday night tilt was all tied at 16 apiece going into overtime.
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In overtime, Denver’s Montrell Washington muffed a punt on the second possession, which put the Los Angeles Chargers in prime scoring range. A few plays later, Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins converted a game-winning 39-yard field goal to lift the Chargers to a 19-16 win.
It wasn’t pretty for the Chargers, who found a way to win against a stingy Broncos defense.
Justin Herbert passed for 238 yards, and finished with just a 66.3 passer rating.
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The Chargers (4-2) have now won three straight games. Here’s what we learned on Monday night:
Kicker Dustin Hopkins deserves game ball
On a nagging hamstring, Hopkins made the game winning 39-yard field goal in overtime. He was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goal attempts.
Justin Herbert, Mike Williams, Chargers offense frustrated by Denver
Williams had a big third down catch to set up the winning field goal, but he was bottled up by Pat Surtain most of the game.
Williams only produced two catches and 17 yards.
Khalil Mack and Derwin James shine in win
Mack and James were the best defensive players on the field. Mack was disruptive rushing the passer.
Mack had a sack and a pass deflection in the first half. He routinely pressured Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson. He had five tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and a pass deflection.
James produced a team-high 10 tackles and one sack.
Wilson was sacked four times in the loss. Chargers LB Drue Tranquill had two sacks.
The Broncos’ red zone woes and third-down inefficiency continue
Denver went into Week 6 with the worst red zone offense in the NFL. The Broncos finished 0-for-1 in the red zone. Denver’s lone touchdown came on a 39-yard TD catch and run by rookie TE Greg Dulcich.
The Broncos finished 4-of-14 on third down.
Russell Wilson cooks in first quarter only
Russell Wilson started the game 10-for-10 passing for 116 yards and tossed a touchdown all in the first quarter. His first incompletion didn’t come until midway through the second quarter.
The rest of the game was a different story. Wilson only produced five completions after the first quarter. He was inaccurate and looked out of sorts. The Broncos offense was completely out of rhythm after the first quarter.
Wilson finished going 15-of-28 passing for 188 yards.
Denver – which fell to 2-4 on the season – scored three points after halftime.
Refs have busy night
Broncos cornerback Damarri Mathis had a forgettable night. He was flagged for pass interference four times. The referees called a tight game on both sides.
The Broncos and Chargers were penalized 17 times by the end of regulation, and there. were a total of 19 penalties on Monday night.
Denver was penalized 10 times for 151 yards.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles Chargers survive in overtime vs. Denver Broncos. Here is what we learned.