Russell Wilson and the Broncos look to bounce back from their Week 5 Thursday night loss to the Raiders against another division rival. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
Live updates
Overtime updates
Overtime loss (10:17 p.m.): Bad habits are tough to break and the Broncos have a few.
They commit too many penalties. They go boom or go bust on offense. They struggle mightily in the red zone. They haven’t shown they can run the ball consistently for four quarters.
They’ve subjected national television audiences to offensively challenged games four times in six outings this season and sent the past two to overtime. Late in the extra session here on Monday night, it was a special teams gaffe that finally put the Broncos away. Read the full game story here. — Parker Gabriel
Hopkins’ field goal clinches it (9:37 p.m.): Los Angeles didn’t lead until the final play of the game. Dustin Hopkins’ 39-yard field goal gives the Chargers (4-2) the win over Denver, who drops to 2-4 on the season. — Joe Nguyen
Muffed (9:34 p.m.): In a second half and overtime that was lights out defense followed by absolutely awful offense, the Broncos special teams blew it when P.J. Locke fell into his Montrell Washington, causing the latter to muff the punt at the Denver 30. The Broncos are inventing new and terrible ways to lose games … that also take forever. — Matt Schubert
Chargers recover the fumble!
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Special teams woes (9:30 p.m.): Ja’Sir Taylor blocked P.J. Locke back into Montrell Washington as he tried to call fair catch. — Parker Gabriel
Stagnant offense (9:27 p.m.): The Broncos’ offense in overtime? Six plays, 12 yards. — Joe Nguyen
Patrick injury (9:22 p.m.): Core special teamer Aaron Patrick went down with what looked like a knee injury on the Broncos’ punt in overtime. The injury occurred out of bounds as Patrick was trying to avoid running into a cameraman, which he did anyways. — Kyle Newman
First shot (9:14 p.m.): The Broncos won the coin toss and elected to receive. — Joe Nguyen
Fourth-quarter updates
Another tie (8:54 p.m.): Chargers kicker Dustin Hoskins nailed another field goal to tie the game at 16-apiece. The Broncos will get the ball back with less than four minutes to go. — Joe Nguyen
Missed opportunity (8:40 p.m.): The Broncos offense gets a gift via Baron Browning’s INT that sets them up with the best field position of the day, at the Chargers’ 30-yard line. They gain 0 yards, going three-and-out and settling for a Brandon McManus field goal to go up 16-13 with 8:21 left. If Denver ends up losing, mark down that play. — Kyle Newman
Another field goal… (8:40 p.m.): And what do the Broncos do with first-and-10 at the Chargers 30? Three plays and a Brandon McManus field goal. Once again, the offense is stalling out in the second half. Broncos 16, Chargers 13 with 8:21 left in the game. — Matt Schubert
Browning stat stuffer (8:37 p.m.): On one play Baron Browning got an interception, fumble and fumble recovery. And now the Broncos are in business in Chargers territory. — Matt Schubert
OUR BALL!
📺:
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
Opportunity lost (8:33 p.m.): Russell Wilson broke out the read option three times on one drive, clearly showing some urgency to get points on the board. Then came some wizardry in the pocket from Russ that was all for naught after Mike Boone wasn’t able to corral a forward pitch. Still 13-all. — Matt Schubert
Mathis with the huge play (8:26 p.m.): Damarri Mathis comes up with the biggest pass break-up of his rookie season, knocking down Justin Herbert’s 4th-and-2 pass intended for DeAndre Carter to turn the 13-13 game back over to the Broncos’ offense. — Kyle Newman
Going for it (8:25 p.m.): The Chargers are passing up a field goal chance to go for it on fourth-and-short as the fourth quarter begins. If LA gets a first down here and convert it into a TD, the onus is on a Broncos offense that has been lifeless in the second half so far. — Kyle Newman
Third-quarter analysis — Broncos 13, Chargers 13
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Billy Turner sighting! The way Khalil Mack was abusing poor Calvin Anderson, the Broncos had to do something to shore up the edges. Alas, while Mack’s gone quiet, so has coach Nathaniel Hackettap offense. Denver’s run 34 plays. The Botls have run 56. The Broncos’ defense has been on the field for almost 29 minutes out of the first 45. Guess which team is more likely to wear down late, given the trend lines?
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: My take after three quarters: We’ve got us a ballgame worth watching. Glory be. One thing that could make it even better: A Broncos W.
Third-quarter updates
Missed blitz (8:13 p.m.): A miscommunication on the line left Derwin James as a free blitzer on third-and-9, with Russell Wilson unable to avoid the sack. Two drives into the second half and the Broncos have zero points. All tied at 13. — Matt Schubert
Yet another tie (8:05 p.m.): Los Angeles drove 60 yards down the field but couldn’t make it into the end zone. Dustin Hopkins with another field goal to tie it at 13-apiece. — Joe Nguyen
Change-up on the Broncos’ O-line (7:54 p.m.): Calvin Anderson is out at left tackle. Cam Fleming, who has been playing right tackle all year, moves to left tackle. Billy Turner makes his season debut, coming in at right tackle. — Kyle Newman
Halftime analysis — Broncos 13, Chargers 10
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Chargers dominated the second quarter, running 29 plays on a pair of scoring drives. Denver didn’t run its fourth play until the final minute before intermission, but got a field goal and has the lead. Now the Broncos start the third quarter with the ball and a chance to re-establish control of the game. The big plays are back for Russell Wilson and the offense. Now, can they make the little ones that win games?
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Didn’t miss an open KJ Hamler that time, did he? Alas, just when those last 53 seconds justify selling the farm for Big Russ, the Broncos’ red-zone demons rise up the depths and bite everybody in the backside again. Long way to go, though, and when you’ve been blessed with only one other halftime lead all season, best not to turn your nose up at simple gifts. And Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins trying to play hurt Is one of those gifts that could pay off late.
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Broncos go to halftime up 3. Can’t speak for my thee-of-little-faith colleagues at Post, but I picked Denver to win this game. Why did I do crazy thing like that? Well, for one thing, fully expected to be as many empty seats as Chargers fans in this LA stadium. Bolts should’ve never ever left San Diego. Me and the football gods still ticked about that dumb move.
Kyle Newman, beat writer: After KJ Hamler’s 47-yard catch sets up the Broncos field goal to take a 13-10 lead at the half, Hamler — who had four targets all season coming into this game — MUST be involved in the second-half game plan. If Russ can keep it up, and same with the Broncos’ D, an upset is in the works.
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: A Broncos prime time game with actual excitement? Believe it America. Russell Wilson’s injected shoulder is looking awfully good.
Second-quarter updates
Another field goal (7:36 p.m.): Denver couldn’t capitalize after that massive play by KJ Hamler, settling with a 27-yard field goal by Brandon McManus to take a 13-10 lead going into halftime. — Joe Nguyen
Huge gain (7:32 p.m.): Russell Wilson threw up a 47-yard moon ball that KJ Hamler was able to bring down to get the Broncos to the Chargers’ 28-yard line. — Joe Nguyen
Big gain from Russ to Hamler!
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All tied up (7:28 p.m.): LA kicker Dustin Hopkins, who has been dealing with a quad issue, hits a 37-yard field goal with 53 seconds left in the half to make it 10-10. — Kyle Newman
Another rookie first (7:14 p.m.): Broncos rookie defensive lineman Matt Henningsen nabbed his first sack of his NFL career in the second quarter. — Joe Nguyen
Chargers injury (7:07 p.m.): Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins, who had been dealing with a quad injury, came up hobbling after the PAT. Chargers punter and Mullen HS product, J.K. Scott, will assume the kicking duties for now. 10-7 Broncos. — Kyle Newman
Ekeler’s run (7:03 p.m.): The former Western Colorado star was not going to be denied, pushing through for a 6-yard touchdown run for the Chargers and cutting Denver’s lead to 10-7. — Joe Nguyen
First-quarter analysis — Broncos 10, Chargers 0
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Russell Wilson is 10/10 after the opening frame and has already hit nine different receivers. Not only that, but his completions of 37 to Jerry Jeudy and 39 for a touchdown to Greg Dulcich came after extending plays outside the pocket.
Oh, and the Denver defense stiffened after giving up a long DPI on the first play of the game. Justin Herbert and company aren’t done going after Damarri Mathis and arelikely to have a counterpunch at some point. Settle in.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: The book says the harder you kick Russell Wilson, the harder he kicks back. Man, is Big Russ kicking serious tail right now. No. 3 looks like the Russ that George Paton traded for early on — 10 for his first 10 throws, to nine different receivers, escaping trouble and finding guys on the run. Where was this kind of start against the Seahawks and Colts? Ah, well. Also, welcome to the party, Greg Dulcich! Amazing what a pass-catching, field-stretching tight end can do for an offense. Especially a struggling one.
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Where’s the Super Bowl this season? See you and Russell Wilson there.
Kyle Newman, beat writer: The Broncos are playing well enough to win so far, but if this becomes a shootout, I don’t like Russell Wilson’s chances to keep up with Justin Herbert. The Denver defense needs to keep doing its part.
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: Greg Dulcich, X-Factor? Could it be that Greg Dulcich was the key to unlocking the Broncos offense? One quarter into his Broncos career, and the Denver offense has already scored more points (10) than it did in the entirety of its last game vs. Indianapolis (9). It’s gotta be those locks.
First-quarter updates
Greg Dulcich is making noise in his NFL debut (6:48 p.m.): He has a 5-yard catch to move the sticks on third down, then reels in a 39-yard TD pass to put Denver up 10-0. Russell Wilson, meanwhile, is 10-10 for 116 yards so far, with nine different receivers. — Kyle Newman
YOU ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO SEE IT.
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— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
Rookie first (6:43 p.m.): Welcome to league, Greg Dulcich. The Broncos’ third-round draft pick got the first catch of his career, a 5-yard gain to give Denver the first down. — Joe Nguyen
Defense comes up big again (6:40 p.m.): The Broncos defense came up big again, first with big hit on Justin Herbert to force an incompletion and then Baron Browning stopping former Eaton standout Austin Ekeler for just a 6-yard gain. Former Mullen High star punter JK Scott then delivered a 52-yard punt that was muffed by Broncos rookie Montrell Washington. Denver will start at their own 16-yard line. — Joe Nguyen
Striking first (6:33 p.m.): Russell Wilson was sacked on third-and-2, so Denver settled for a 51-yard field goal from Brandon McManus to take a 3-0 lead. — Joe Nguyen
Penalties galore (6:30 p.m.): After two penalties on the offensive line, the Broncos were bailed out by a pass interference call after Russell Wilson targeted Courtland Sutton. — Joe Nguyen
Defense bends, doesn’t break (6:25 p.m.): The Chargers completed a fourth-down conversion and targeted DaMarri Mathis again downfield, but the Broncos defense bowed up and forced a LA punt on the opening possession. — Kyle Newman
First play from scrimmage (6:18 p.m.): Justin Herbert targets rookie Damarri Mathis, who is making his first NFL start in place of the injured Ronald Darby, and draws a pass interference penalty. The next play: Austin Ekeler gashes Denver for eight yards. Not a good start. — Kyle Newman
Coin toss (6:15 p.m.): Russell Wilson, Courtland Sutton, Bradley Chubb and Alex Singleton the game captains for the #Broncos tonight.
Denver wins the toss and defers. LA will start with the ball. — Parker Gabriel
Pre-game updates
Starting lineup update (5:45 p.m.): Based on warmups, rookie cornerback Damarri Mathis is set to make his first start. He’s taking first-team repetitions opposite Pat Surtain II.
Denver’s starting offensive line:
- LT Calvin Anderson
- LG Dalton Risner
- C Lloyd Cushenberry
- RG Quinn Meinerz
- RT Cam Fleming
— Parker Gabriel
Tight-end swap and inactives (4:55 p.m.): Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam has struggled to find a role all season in Denver’s offense.
Now he’s inactive and has essentially been replaced by a rookie coming off of injured reserve.
Okwuegbunam had seen only limited playing time over the Broncos’ first five games and it dwindled over the first month to the point where he played just one snap against Las Vegas before seeing a bit more action against Indianapolis.
His first inactive game of the season comes as rookie tight end Greg Dulcich prepares to make his career debut after missing the first five games with a hamstring injury.
Denver’s full inactive list: Linebacker Josey Jewell (knee), safety Caden Sterns (chest), rookie wide receiver Jalen Virgil, cornerback Darrius Phillips, rookie defensive back Delarrin Turner-Yell and rookie defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike. — Parker Gabriel
Meinerz update (4:15 p.m.): Denver is set to get right guard Quinn Meinerz back into its starting lineup for the first time since the season opener against Seattle.
Meinerz has been out since with a hamstring injury, but practiced fully on Saturday before the Broncos left for Los Angeles, said adamantly he’s ready to play and spent early warmups here working out in game uniform. This time, that looks to be true after a late-week aggravation kept him from returning against the Raiders.
His return and left guard Dalton Risner’s practice work on Saturday after a tight back held him out early last week steadies out an uncertain offensive line picture and positions Calvin Anderson to start at left tackle. He filled in the final 13 snaps against Indianapolis after Garret Bolles was lost to a season-ending leg injury.
“We want to be sure we’re getting (injured tackle Billy Turner) ready,” head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Saturday. (Right tackle Cam Fleming) has done a good job for us. Calvin stepped in and did a great job, so we are lucky to have three.” — Parker Gabriel
Scouting report (3 p.m.): How do the Broncos match up against the Chargers? Check out beat writer Kyle Newman’s scouting report.
Injury updates (1:53 p.m.): Reinforcements are inbound for the Broncos.
Denver on Monday activated safety Justin Simmons, cornerback Michael Ojemudia and rookie tight end Greg Dulcich from injured reserve. All three will be available against the Chargers on Monday night, as will practice squad safety Anthony Harris and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni, each of whom was elevated for game day. Read the full story here. — Parker Gabriel
Post predictions
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 24, Chargers 23
Desperate times call for DespeRuss. Broncos general manager George Paton made a blockbuster trade for Russell Wilson to beat division rivals like the Raiders and Chargers on the road. While Wilson ain’t the QB he used to be, I don’t think he’s washed up. Some smart football analysts, however, strongly disagree with me. If those analysts are correct, Paton is going to hear some tough questions from the crazy-rich Waltons.
Kyle Newman, beat writer: Chargers 21, Broncos 13
This is the defeat that sends the Broncos into a spiral. Russell Wilson has another tough game, raising questions about how much his lat injury is affecting his accuracy. And Justin Herbert and the Chargers, though not explosive, get enough big plays to win the field position battle. Austin Ekeler’s touchdown catch with a few minutes to go ices the game.
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Chargers 27, Broncos 20
Denver’s first two division games of the season are on the road, which is a tough task but wouldn’t feel as onerous had the team not also lost to Seattle and Indianapolis (at home no less). The Broncos can’t afford to dig much deeper a hole, but they’re also facing a Los Angeles group thatap starting to find its footing offensively and has scored 30-plus back-to-back weeks. The digging continues another week at least for the Broncos.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Chargers 27, Broncos 20
Unless they’re plus-2 or better in the turnover battle, it’ll probably take at least 27 points for the Broncos to beat the Bolts on the road. At the rate they’re going, it’ll take two or three games for Nathaniel Hackettap offense to hit 27 with a straight face.
Broncos-Chargers NFL Week 6: Must reads
Can Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense bounce back from start that has looked “really, really bad”?
The preponderance of evidence through five games of the Wilson era in Denver is problematic rather than promising.
Broncos fans, talking heads and anybody who tuned in to Amazon Prime to watch the disaster against the Colts find themselves wondering not whether this team will compete for home playoff games but rather, what the heck is wrong with the offense? Is it Wilson? Is it his shoulder injury? Is age starting to show through after a decade in the league? Does Wilson have the talent around him he thought he did when he arrived in Denver? Is it as simple as an offense working its way through the tough part of a steep learning curve?
The consensus: A little bit of a lot of issues are dragging down the Broncos. Denver is 31st in scoring offense at 15 points per game. Wilson played the first four games to a solid but not elite quarterback rating of 91.1 but is down to a career-low 82.8 after a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions opened the Empower Field escape hatch for the Colts. Read more… — Parker Gabriel
Keeler: Broncos QB Russell Wilson needs to stop trying to win Internet and start trying to win AFC West, Warren Moon says. “I feel bad for him. But he brings some of it on himself.”
If you have an app, there’s a good chance Russell Wilson’s spent at least some of the past five weeks absolutely faceplanting on it. ESPN. Amazon. Twitter. TikTok. Instagram. Cripes, even when Warren Moon wants to look away, which is often, he … just … can’t.
“He’s been trolled a lot,” the Hall-of-Fame quarterback told me last week when the discussion turned to the Broncos’ franchise quarterback. “Man, I feel bad for him. But he brings some of it on himself.”
Moon’s been there. He transitioned from Houston to Minnesota late in his career, at age 37, after six Pro Bowl berths with the Oilers. The former Washington Huskies great would go on to notch three more Pro Bowl nods — two with the Vikings and one more, at age 41, with the Seattle Seahawks. From the CFL to Canton, Moon’s living proof that quarterback tales can have happy second chapters. Or happy thirds. Or happy fourths. Read more… — Sean Keeler
Broncos’ Nathaniel Hackett, Chargers’ Brandon Staley “cherish” jobs that have already brought heat
Head coach Nathaniel Hackett of the Denver Broncos works the play sheet against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)Head coaches in the NFL get scrutinized by everybody. Their bosses, fans, even their own players. When Chargers head coach Brandon Staley went for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 46-yard line nursing a two-point lead with 1 minute, 46 seconds, remaining last week, and failed, injured wide receiver Keenan Allen later tweeted, “WTF are we doing,” in a since-deleted message.
It took first-year Denver head coach Nathaniel Hackett, oh, about 59 game minutes and some change into his tenure to experience the same pressure-cooker in Seattle when he opted for a 64-yard field goal attempt rather than leaving Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense on the field for a fourth-and-5 with 20 seconds remaining.
The next day, he acknowledged that he “definitely” should have gone for it rather than try the low-percentage kick attempt.
The biggest difference between Staley and Hackettap calls in those particular moments: The Chargers ended up winning and the Broncos ended up losing. Read more… — Parker Gabriel
