The Denver Broncos defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 23–17 in an exciting Week 5 NFL matchup on October 11, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Denver recovered from a third-quarter deficit and scored 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Quarterback Bo Nix connected with Courtland Sutton for the game-tying touchdown, while kicker Wil Lutz delivered two crucial field goals to complete the comeback.
The game featured a strong defensive finish from Denver, a memorable touchdown run by Chargers running back Kimani Vidal, and several costly mistakes from Los Angeles in the closing minutes. Justin Herbert threw a touchdown pass but also suffered a late interception. The Broncos improved to 3–2, while the Chargers fell to 0–5.
Game Overview
The Week 5 AFC West matchup looked promising for Denver early in the game. The Broncos scored a first-quarter touchdown and held a 10–3 lead at halftime. However, Los Angeles responded with 14 points in the third quarter, taking a 17–10 advantage into the final period. Denver then turned the game around with a touchdown and two field goals.
| Game Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers |
| Date | October 11, 2026 |
| Competition | NFL Regular Season, Week 5 |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium |
| Location | Inglewood, California |
| Final Score | Broncos 23, Chargers 17 |
| Winning Team | Denver Broncos |
| Losing Team | Los Angeles Chargers |
Denver’s defense proved decisive when the pressure increased. The Broncos stopped Herbert on fourth down, forced a fumble, and intercepted him during the fourth quarter. Those plays prevented Los Angeles from protecting its lead and gave Denver the opportunities it needed to finish the comeback.
Quarter-by-Quarter Score
The scoring pattern explains how the contest changed during the afternoon. Denver controlled the first half, the Chargers dominated the third quarter, and the Broncos took charge again in the fourth.
| Quarter | Denver Broncos | Los Angeles Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| First Quarter | 7 | 0 |
| Second Quarter | 3 | 3 |
| Third Quarter | 0 | 14 |
| Fourth Quarter | 13 | 0 |
| Final Score | 23 | 17 |
The Broncos scored 10 points before halftime. Los Angeles answered with two third-quarter touchdowns, but Denver’s defense shut out the Chargers in the final period. The visitors’ late scoring surge ultimately decided the game.
Bo Nix Passing Stats and Performance
Bo Nix guided Denver’s offense through a difficult matchup against the Chargers. He completed 16 of 27 passes for 123 yards, throwing one touchdown without an interception. Although his passing total was modest, he made an important play when Denver needed a score. His five-yard touchdown pass to Sutton early in the fourth quarter tied the game at 17–17.
Nix also contributed 10 rushing yards on four attempts. Denver’s offense did not produce many explosive plays, so the quarterback needed to protect the football and make the most of his opportunities. His touchdown drive gave the Broncos momentum, and the defense followed with takeaways that helped secure the win.
| Passing Statistic | Bo Nix |
|---|---|
| Completions | 16 |
| Attempts | 27 |
| Passing Yards | 123 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 82.8 |
| Rushing Yards | 10 |
Nix’s performance was not built around high passing yardage. Instead, he delivered the key touchdown at the right moment and avoided throwing an interception. That combination allowed Denver to remain in contention until the defense could change the game’s direction.
Justin Herbert Stats: Chargers Quarterback
Justin Herbert completed 14 of 24 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also rushed six times for 54 yards, making his running contribution a significant part of the Chargers’ offensive production. His touchdown pass to tight end Hayden Rucci tied the game at 10–10 during the third quarter.
Herbert helped Los Angeles take a 17–10 lead when Vidal broke free for a 42-yard rushing touchdown later in the period. However, the Chargers could not sustain that momentum. Denver stopped Herbert on fourth down, forced a fumble on a later possession, and intercepted him with just over three minutes remaining.
| Passing Statistic | Justin Herbert |
|---|---|
| Completions | 14 |
| Attempts | 24 |
| Passing Yards | 121 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 68.2 |
| Rushing Attempts | 6 |
| Rushing Yards | 54 |
Herbert’s rushing yards helped the Chargers move the ball, but his late turnovers proved costly. Los Angeles needed to protect the football after taking the lead, yet Denver’s defense created the decisive plays in the fourth quarter.
J.K. Dobbins Leads the Broncos Rushing Attack
J.K. Dobbins was Denver’s leading rusher, finishing with 18 carries for 68 yards and one touchdown. His two-yard scoring run in the first quarter gave the Broncos an early 7–0 lead. Dobbins continued to carry much of the rushing workload as Denver tried to control the tempo and keep the Chargers’ offense off the field.
Dobbins averaged 3.8 yards per carry and recorded a long run of 14 yards. Nix added 10 rushing yards, while Jaylen Waddle gained nine yards on one attempt. Denver’s ground game did not produce a huge total, but Dobbins’ early touchdown helped establish a lead that the team later recovered in the fourth quarter.
| Broncos Rushing Leader | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| J.K. Dobbins | 18 | 68 | 1 |
| Bo Nix | 4 | 10 | 0 |
| Jaylen Waddle | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| RJ Harvey | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| Tyler Badie | 1 | 6 | 0 |
Dobbins’ touchdown was Denver’s first scoring play of the game. His workload also gave the offense a reliable option while Nix worked through a challenging passing matchup.
Kimani Vidal and the Chargers Rushing Stats
Kimani Vidal delivered one of the game’s biggest offensive highlights. He carried the ball eight times for 57 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. That score put Los Angeles ahead 17–10 and appeared to give the home team control heading into the final quarter.
Omarion Hampton added 33 yards on 14 carries, while Keaton Mitchell gained 11 yards on six attempts. Herbert’s 54 rushing yards also helped the Chargers finish with more rushing production than Denver. However, Los Angeles could not turn that advantage into a victory because its offense struggled to respond to Denver’s fourth-quarter pressure.
| Chargers Rushing Leader | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimani Vidal | 8 | 57 | 1 |
| Omarion Hampton | 14 | 33 | 0 |
| Keaton Mitchell | 6 | 11 | 0 |
| Justin Herbert | 6 | 54 | 0 |
Vidal’s long touchdown was a turning point in the third quarter. Unfortunately for the Chargers, the lead did not last. Denver’s defense limited their final-quarter opportunities and forced the mistakes that changed the result.
Receiving Leaders and Key Touchdowns
Denver’s receiving attack was led by tight end Evan Engram, who caught four passes for 55 yards. Courtland Sutton finished with two receptions for 18 yards and scored the important five-yard touchdown that tied the game in the fourth quarter. Marvin Mims Jr. also caught two passes, gaining six yards.
For Los Angeles, Charlie Kolar recorded three catches for 37 yards, while Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught two passes for 22 yards. Hayden Rucci had one reception for seven yards, but it was an important one: his touchdown catch from Herbert tied the score during the third quarter. The Chargers struggled to create enough passing production to hold off Denver’s late comeback.
| Team | Receiver | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | Evan Engram | 4 | 55 | 0 |
| Broncos | Courtland Sutton | 2 | 18 | 1 |
| Broncos | Troy Franklin | 2 | 16 | 0 |
| Chargers | Charlie Kolar | 3 | 37 | 0 |
| Chargers | Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 2 | 22 | 0 |
| Chargers | Tre Harris | 2 | 16 | 0 |
| Chargers | Hayden Rucci | 1 | 7 | 1 |
The receiving statistics show that Denver relied on timely plays rather than a high-volume passing attack. Sutton’s touchdown mattered most because it restored a tie and set up the Broncos’ final scoring drive.
Denver Broncos Defense Changes the Game
Denver’s defense delivered its best work in the fourth quarter. The Broncos stopped Herbert on fourth-and-one at the Chargers’ 41-yard line, giving their offense a chance to respond while trailing 17–10. Nix then connected with Sutton for the tying touchdown. That defensive stop and the resulting scoring drive changed the momentum.
The next major play came when Zach Allen forced a fumble by Herbert, and Que Robinson recovered it at the Chargers’ 23-yard line. Wil Lutz converted the opportunity into a 19-yard field goal, putting Denver ahead 20–17 with 5:07 remaining. Brandon Jones then intercepted Herbert on the Chargers’ next drive. The Broncos added another field goal late in the game to finish the 23–17 victory.
The Chargers had opportunities to recover, but Denver’s defense kept forcing difficult situations. Herbert was pressured, the passing game lost rhythm, and the final possessions ended without another score. The fourth-quarter turnovers were central to Denver’s comeback.
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Key Scoring Plays and Game Highlights
The Broncos opened the scoring with Dobbins’ two-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Cameron Dicker kicked a 42-yard field goal for Los Angeles in the second quarter, and Lutz answered with a 34-yard field goal to give Denver a 10–3 halftime lead.
Los Angeles took control in the third quarter. Herbert threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Rucci to tie the score, and Vidal followed with a 42-yard rushing touchdown to put the Chargers ahead 17–10. Denver answered in the fourth quarter when Nix found Sutton for a five-yard touchdown. Lutz then made field goals from 19 and 36 yards to complete the comeback.
| Quarter | Scoring Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| First | J.K. Dobbins, 2-yard rushing TD | Broncos 7–0 |
| Second | Cameron Dicker, 42-yard field goal | Broncos 7–3 |
| Second | Wil Lutz, 34-yard field goal | Broncos 10–3 |
| Third | Hayden Rucci, 7-yard receiving TD | 10–10 |
| Third | Kimani Vidal, 42-yard rushing TD | Chargers 17–10 |
| Fourth | Courtland Sutton, 5-yard receiving TD | 17–17 |
| Fourth | Wil Lutz, 19-yard field goal | Broncos 20–17 |
| Fourth | Wil Lutz, 36-yard field goal | Broncos 23–17 |
The official NFL game center and Broncos full-game highlights provide further details and video of the key plays.
Conclusion
The Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers Match Player Stats and Highlights show how defense and timely scoring can decide a close NFL game. Denver won 23–17 after trailing 17–10 in the third quarter. Bo Nix threw for 123 yards and one touchdown, J.K. Dobbins scored on the ground, and Courtland Sutton caught the game-tying touchdown. Wil Lutz then converted two late field goals to put the Broncos ahead for good.
For Los Angeles, Herbert threw for 121 yards and a touchdown, while Vidal delivered a memorable 42-yard scoring run. However, the Chargers’ late turnovers gave Denver the openings it needed. The Broncos improved to 3–2 and earned an important AFC West win, while the Chargers remained winless at 0–5. Denver’s fourth-quarter defensive effort was the biggest reason the game ended in a comeback victory.
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