1. The stage for the Broncos’ game-winning drive was set up by a miscue by Chargers quarterback . On third-and-7 at the two-minute warning, Rivers threw incomplete when the Broncos had the receiver screen covered. The clock stopped at 1:58 and the Broncos got possession back at 1:51. Had Rivers simply taken a knee, an additional 40 seconds would have expired. “I was really happy and excited,” coach said of Rivers’ incompletion.
2. The Broncos rushed five or more players on 11 of Rivers’ 45 drop-backs. The rate of 24.4 was third-lowest of the year, behind 21.4 (Seattle, Week 1) and 22.6 (Kansas City, Week 4). The three sacks all came in the first half – defensive end (4.33 seconds) and linebackers (2.27) and (2.78).
3. The Chargers played a rush-four-and-cover game. Los Angeles rushed at least five players on only three of quarterback ’s 35 drop-backs. The 8.6 percent was a season low vs. Keenum, well behind 14.6 percent by Seattle (six of 41).
4. Los Angeles extended its lead to 19-7 when tight end caught a six-yard touchdown pass. At the snap, linebacker Josey Jewell was playing inside of Gates, perhaps to defend a crossing pattern. Gates, though, ran a corner route for the score. On their next drive, the Chargers reached the Broncos’ 35 and looked to put the game away but Miller intercepted a Rivers pass and returned it 42 yards. On the takeaway, safety and cornerback blitzed. Rivers threw in 1.10 seconds and right to Miller, who read the linemen’s movement to block for a screen and stayed at home — and right between Rivers and intended receiver .
5. Keenum made the throws, but the Broncos’ skill players did plenty of work post-catch. Of Keenum’s 205 yards passing, 118 (57.6 percent) came after the catch. led the Broncos with 45 yards after the catch, followed by (30) and (27). On the game-winning drive, Sanders had a 38-yard catch (26 YAC) and Sutton had a 30-yard catch (14 YAC).
6. Lindsay’s two-yard touchdown run gave the Broncos a 20-19 lead with 12:17 remaining. But he set up the score on the previous play. On third-and-3 from the Chargers 8, Lindsay caught Keenum’s pass behind the line of scrimmage but gained six yards thanks to his patience and downfield blocks by Sutton and receiver .
7. The Broncos were booked for eight missed tackles and five came on two plays. On Melvin Gordon’s 28-yard screen pass, safety , Harris and Chubb missed tackles. And, on Gordon’s 20-yard run, linebacker and cornerback missed tackles. Davis and Jewell had two missed tackles apiece.
8. The Broncos did not allow a sack for the first time since last November against New England (a 41-16 loss). The reconfigured offensive line did great work. Right guard Elijah Wilkinson allowed a pressure and fullback , left tackle Garett Bolles and right tackle Jared Veldheer each allowed a knockdown. The second pressure was an unblocked Chargers player.
9. Los Angeles was committed to the running game but did not have much success. The Chargers rushed 26 times for 95 yards (3.7-yard average). The Broncos had 15 run “stuffs” (gain of three or fewer yards). Chubb and Davis had three “stuffs” apiece and Gotsis had two.
10. Itap back to the drawing board for the Broncos super-short passing game. On attempts that did not cross the line of scrimmage, Keenum was 7 of 10 for only 37 yards. Defenses have zeroed in on the concepts and the Broncos did not block make the initial block well enough to allow the receiver to turn up the field.
