Los Angeles Chargers (4-2) – Denver Broncos (2-4): 19-16 aet
In a closed match, the kickers are often the heroes. On Monday, Dustin Hopkins gritted his teeth to give the Chargers the overtime win. Hit a hamstring, the Californian kicker succeeded in kicking 39 yards 2 minutes 38 from the end of the extra period. In pain, he collapsed to the ground before being picked up by his teammates.
A victory that also owes a lot to an error by Montrell Washington. A few actions before the game-winning kick, the Broncos returner let a punt slip in his own half, which put the Chargers in position to wrap things up. It was already the fourth punt of a completely closed overtime.
And the rest of the game wasn’t much more paced offensively, as each team only scored one touchdown.
Denver starts strong… and then not much
Finally the awakening for Russell Wilson (15/28, 188 yards, 1 TD) and the Broncos? This is the question that arises in every game. We believed in it for two series on Monday. Wilson started the game with nine completed passes to nine different targets. Denver’s first offense of the game ends with a field goal. The second by a touchdown from rookie Greg Dulcich (2 rec, 44 yards, 1 TD), on a reception of 39 yards.
Austin Ekeler (14 races, 36 yards, 1 TD – 10 rec, 47 yards) immediately brings the Chargers closer after a very long drive (7-10). The Broncos punt, and Dustin Hopkins equalizes on foot, while injuring a hamstring. The Broncos still have juice, since they only need 53 seconds before the break to get a field goal that allows them to stay in front (10-13) at the cut.
The problem is that Nathaniel Hackett’s troupe will obviously stay in the locker room. Wilson and his group chained three punts. And if they finally score a field goal, it is mainly because Justin Herbert (37/57, 238 yards, 1 int) gave them the ball in a good position on an interception. The Chargers equalize again in stride, and Denver has the ball with just under 4 minutes to play. It looks like match point, but it’s a new punt.
Los Angeles isn’t much better. Justin Herbert waters a lot but the results are thin. It will therefore be an extension, also locked until the error of Washington and the courage of Hopkins.
Despite the extra overtime possessions, the Chargers only gained 297 total yards. Barely 258 for Denver. The match was also full of penalties. 19 in total, for 240 yards distributed. The Chargers topped possession time, notably with an 11/22 on third attempts, but their 1/4 in the red zone robbed them of a more convincing win.
