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.
“It’s more fun when you win when you battle through an injury because you feel like it was worth something,” Hopkins said postgame. “It feels good to come through for the guys.”
For Hopkins, it was the most made field goals without a miss in a game by a Chargers kicker since 2019.
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.
“They try to keep a roof on the coverage. It was kind of hard to push the ball down the field, get our big plays and get into a rhythm,” Williams said to USA TODAY Sports. “But we were able to get a win and that’s all that really matters.”
Most of the Chargers offense came on short throws underneath. Running back Austin Ekeler had 10 catches for 47 yards and wide receiver Joshua Palmer hauled in nine catches for 57 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.
“I got to lead these guys. I got to make an impact,” Mack, who has six sacks this season, said to USA TODAY Sports. “I got to make big plays in big-time moments.”
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.
“We could’ve been cleaner in the second half. The reality is that’s just not good enough. We got to be better,” Wilson said postgame. “We have to play sharper, find ways to make plays, find ways to continue to get first downs and touchdowns.”
Wilson said after the game he was battling a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter.
“It’s a little unfortunate but just trying to find a way to win a game,” Wilson said.
Wilson had 10 total passing yards in the fourth quarter and overtime.
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.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles Chargers survive in overtime vs. Denver Broncos. Here is what we learned.