Broncos struggle on offense again but get an ugly victory over still winless Chargers
The Denver Broncos secured a narrow 23-17 victory over the winless Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, marking their third win of the season while the Chargers dropped to 0-5. Despite a sluggish offensive performance, Denver’s defense capitalized on a heavily injured Chargers team, which played with multiple rookies on the offensive line and key receivers sidelined.
The Broncos’ offense managed just 224 total yards, with quarterback Bo Nix completing 123 yards, but the lackluster output was enough to overcome a depleted opponent. The Chargers, already facing an uphill battle, saw their season prospects dim further after the loss, as no NFL team has ever made the playoffs with a 0-5 start.
Meanwhile, Denver’s head coach, Sean Payton, resumed play-calling duties after handing them to offensive coordinator Davis Webb for four games, though the offense remained stagnant early in the contest. A late spark from rookie running back Kimani Vidal and a touchdown catch by undrafted rookie Hayden Rucci kept the Chargers competitive, but the Broncos’ defense ultimately held firm in a game that lacked offensive fireworks from either side.
