The overtime ineptitude of Broncos and Chargers hadn’t been seen in NFL in 30 years

Monday night’s game shaped up as a battle between the Chargers’ Justin Herbert and the Broncos’ Russell Wilson.

Instead, the biggest star was Los Angeles kicker Dustin Hopkins. Despite dealing with a hamstring injury, Hopkins made four field goals, including a game-tying 35-yard kick and the winner in overtime from 39 yards, and the Chargers prevailed 19-16.

“Before every kick, you knew that it was going to feel like somebody stabbed you with a knife,” Hopkins told ESPN of the hamstring injury, which occurred in the second quarter. “I was just kind of committed to swinging and dealing with the pain after the kick.”

In the second half and overtime, the teams combined for 175 total yards of offense. The extra period was unlike any seen in the NFL in the past three decades, OptaSports said. Denver and LA combined for zero first downs and four punts in overtime.

There was no word on what game in 1992 had an overtime quite like Monday’s.

Fortunately for the Chargers, they took advantage of a big mistake by the Broncos on LA’s last punt. Montrell Washington muffed the punt after he was bumped by teammate P.J. Locke, who was blocked into Washington. That gave Washington no chance to make a clean catch.

“It was a short punt and we need to make a call to let (Locke) know he has to move,’‘ Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett told reporters after the game. “P.J. went to engage into a block and unfortunately got pushed into Montrell.”

The Chargers picked up 7 yards, but no first downs, on their final drive after recovering the fumble. Still, they were close enough for Hopkins to make the winning kick.

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