Broncos vs. Chargers Live Updates: Herbert & Nix Battle for AFC West Supremacy (2025)

My goodness, Justin Herbert. Take a bow. The Chargers star just shook off the pass rushand delivered a dart to Keenan Allen, who fought through a defender for the touchdown catch. We have a tie game!

It's another bend-don't-break possession from the Denver defense, this time at the most crucial juncture so far. The Chargers moved into Broncos territory before the defensive line took over. On second and 4, they got immediate pressure, and on third and 4, Jonathan Franklin-Myers took down Justin Herbert. That forced a Los Angeles punt in what might have been four-down territory otherwise.

Bo Nix just made two huge plays -- one lucky, one very skillful -- to open the fourth quarter.

Facing third and 10 to open the quarter, Nix fired a ball over the middle that got deflected up into the air. It somehow landed in the arms of Lucas Krull for a 9-yard game. One play later, he rolled out and found Courtland Sutton to convert the fourth and 1.

Los Angeles' defense stiffened, though, and Wil Lutz's field goal makes it 20-13.

To the fourth quarter we go! Denver is driving but is facing a third and 10 after a big Derwin James tackle for loss.

What an incredible turn of events! After J.K. Dobbins' touchdown gave the Broncos a lead early in the secondhalf, Derius Davis fumbled the ensuing kickoff return, with Kaden Elliss knocking it loose and JL Skinner recovering.

Wil Lutz made a field goal to extend Denver's lead to 17-10. The Broncos have scored 17 points in the last five minutes of game action.

The Broncos' running backs had 0 yards in the first half.

Dobbins ripped off a 41-yard run on the very first play of the second half, then picked up another 6 yards and then produced this highlight-reel 19-yard score (it was deemed a run, as Bo Nix's throw to Dobbins went backwards).

Dobbins has battled all sorts of injury issues throughout his career. But he looks very healthy and very explosive for Denver, and it's never been on display more than it was on that drive.

• With a few exceptions, this has been a game dominated by the defenses. The Broncos have 11 rushing yards, and they're all by Bo Nix. Denver running backs have five carries for 0 yards. The Chargers' interior front has impressed.
• Justin Herbert is facing a lot of pressure, including on the interception he threw. Jonathon Cooper, D.J. Jones and Nik Bonitto all have sacks, and the Chargers' tackles are struggling against this speedy edge group.
• It is really remarkable how much Quentin Johnston has improved. Five receptions for 77 yards. He's winning deep and showing off his run after the catch abilities.

After just barely missing Marvin Mims on a deep shot on the possession prior, Bo Nix made no mistake this time, hitting Courtland Sutton in stride to cut the Broncos' deficit to 10-7. The Chargers coverage completely busted out of the timeout, something coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will be none too happy about.

Finally, with 38 seconds to go in the first half, the Broncos' offense shows some life.

If Najee Harris' injury proves serious, the Chargers are going to need Omarion Hampton to step up, and it's so far, so good. The rookie first-round pick out of North Carolina has scored his first career touchdown, giving the Chargers a 10-0 lead. After having trouble running the ball in their first two games, the Chargers have 56 rushing yards in the first half.

Harris went down when trying to move forward to execute his part of a play action fake, completely untouched by anyone. It could be a brutal, brutal turn of events for Harris, who has already returned from an offseason eye injury to be available.

Harris had to be carried off the field by the medical staff.

Justin Herbert has thrown his first interception of the season, and Brandon Jones did the honors, reeling in a ricochet. It's a second impressive red zone stand for Denver already, but the offense still hasn't found much of anything.

With 1:40 remaining in the first quarter, the Broncos still don't have a first down. The Chargers are getting quick interior pressures, and Bo Nix and co. look just a little bit off, with misfires and missed assignments. Benjamin St.-Juste just had a great pass breakup against Courtland Sutton.

In under one quarter, the Broncos already have three sacks after having just one all of last week. On the last series, both Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper took down Justin Herbert.

We'll see if the Broncos' offense can get in gear with good field position, trailing 3-0.

The Chargers are on board via a 32-yard Cameron Dicker field goal. But how about this catch and run by Quentin Johnston to get things going for Los Angeles?!

Good job by the Denver defense to stiffen in the red zone, though.