Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
FINAL | Broncos 19, Chargers 3
Broncos clinch No. 1 seed, set out on Super Bowl chase: ‘You can see the light’
It wasn't pretty, but the Broncos beat a depleted Chargers squad on Sunday, 19-3, at Empower Field at Mile High to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Wil Lutz nailed four field goals and Ja'Quan McMillian had a pick-six to give Denver the dominant win.
The Broncos improved to 14-3 on the season and edged out the Patriots (14-3) for the top seed. They will have a bye for next week's wild-card round.
It's the first time Denver has had the No. 1 seed since the 2015-16 season when they won Super Bowl 50.
More Broncos coverage
- Broncos clinch No. 1 seed, set out on Super Bowl chase: 'You can see the light.'
- Keeler: Broncos, make us Bo-lieve! If QB Bo Nix plays like he did vs. Chargers, Denver is 1-and-done in NFL playoffs.
- Renck: Broncos secure homefield for playoffs, but are not home free from criticism.
- If Chargers beat Patriots in playoffs, they get another shot at Broncos.
- Broncos-Chargers report card: Denver wraps up No. 1 seed, but Sean Payton’s offense sputters.
- Broncos four downs: Sean Payton turned Bo Nix into Boo Nix after offensive struggles vs. Chargers.
- Broncos LT Garett Bolles returns in second half after suffering ankle injury vs. Chargers.
- Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins makes first Empower Field pregame appearance since midseason injury.
- 2026 NFL playoffs brackets, seeds, schedules, TV times, results and more.
Live updates
Fourth-quarter updates
Ballgame (5:34 p.m.): Jonah Elliss chases Trey Lance to the sideline on fourth down. Denver gets the win. — Nguyen
No touchdown (5:32 p.m.): Incredible effort by Tre' Harris to drag his feet for the catch in the corner of the end zone. He just couldn't get control of the ball.
Turnover? (5:27 p.m.): The call is a forced fumble and a recovery by the Broncos. The play is under review. It's an incomplete pass. — Nguyen
Field goal, Broncos (5:15 p.m.): Wil Lutz nails the 23-yard field goal to cap a 10-yard, 52-yard drive. It's his fourth of the game. Broncos 19, Chargers 3 with 2:29 to go. — Nguyen
Driving (5:11 p.m.): First down Broncos on the Bo Nix to Pat Bryant pass. Six plays for 45 yards on this drive so far. — Nguyen
Big gain (5:07 p.m.): Jaleel McLaughlin with the 17-yard catch-and-run. With RJ Harvey struggling, Denver should lean on the smaller back. — Nguyen
Nearly sacked (5:05 p.m.): That was almost a sack by Pat Surtain II. Trey Lance scrambles out for a 10-yard gain. Now fourth-and-7 and they're going for it. And Pat Surtain II just straight up blew up that subsequent play. Denver ball. — Nguyen
Sacked (5:03 p.m.): After Trey Lance scrambled for a 22-yard gain, Denver's defense responds with a split sack for an 8-yard loss. Eyioma Uwazurike and Sai'vion Jones are credited with the takedown. — Nguyen
Rockies shot (4:59 p.m.): As Troy Renck told me, "If you wanted to see bad offense, you could just go to a Rockies road game." -- Saunders
Field goal, Broncos (4:55 p.m.): Denver squanders another chance. Wil Lutz nails the 41-yard field goal to cap the four play, minus-2-yard drive. Broncos 16, Chargers 3 with 11:45 to go in the fourth. — Nguyen
Broncos defense hands ball to offense at 20. They lose 2 yards, and Wil Lutz drills 41-yard FG. Payton wanted a loud crowd today. Not sure their voracious booing is what he had in mind. -- Renck
Strip sacked (4:51 p.m.): Nik Bonitto wasn't going to mess up twice. He strip sacks Trey Lance and Denver recovers the ball. — Nguyen
You want takeaways? They have got your takeaways. Broncos no longer have the fewest in franchise history. They have 14 now, one better than 2008 team. Nik Bonitto gets the strip sack. He looked like Von Miller coming around the corner with the chop. Broncos take over at 20-yard line. -- Renck
Never mind (4:47 p.m.): On second look, Mims was just short. Denver tries running with RJ Harvey, who gets stopped behind the line by Marlowe Wax. — Nguyen
First down (4:46 p.m.): Bo Nix finds Marvin Mims Jr. for the 8-yard catch-and-run for the first down. — Nguyen
Third-quarter thoughts — Broncos 13, Chargers 3
Parker Gabriel, Broncos reporter: Denver is 15 minutes from the No. 1 seed. That's an achievement worth celebrating. Today's offensive performance, on the other hand, is not.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: This game has been so dumb, so preseason-ish bland, the only thing missing so far has been a Stiddy series. Make it happen, Sean. Make it happen.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: The Broncos offense looks out of sync, out of rhythm, out of answers. Broncos should win this game. But there is little to build off. Yes, the game plan was a little vanilla. That doesn't excuse this performance.
Third-quarter updates
Strnad's day (4:45 p.m.): Not just this week, but Justin Strnad's turned himself into a really solid player.
Obviously a lot (Denver hopes) between now and the offseason, but interesting decisions ahead with he and Alex Singleton free agents and Dre Greenlaw's contract fairly easy to get out of. — Gabriel
Chargers punting (4:41 p.m.): Six plays for 12 yards. Denver's getting the ball back. — Nguyen
Three-and-out (4:36 p.m.): Getting sacked on first down didn't help. Denver's going to punt. — Nguyen
Said forever wanted Bo Nix to run. And he has a season-high 50 yards on ground. But did not want it to be at expense of pass game. Nix is having his worst day of the season. He is 9-17 for 89 yards. Broncos punting again. -- Renck
Mimsy! (4:33 p.m.): Marvin Mims Jr. runs the punt back for 33 yards to the Denver 45. — Nguyen
Sacked (4:32 p.m.): Justin Strnad sacks Trey Lance for an 8-yard loss on third-and-8. Chargers punting. — Nguyen
Hell of a sack by Broncos LB Justin Strnad. Circled all the way around the line to get Lance. -- Saunders
Challenge failed (4:31 p.m.): Denver challenged that the pass to Keenan Allen was no good. The review said it was. — Nguyen
Rough day for Denver sports (4:28 p.m.): Gabe Landeskog is down in Florida. The Nuggets gave up 127 points to Michael Porter Jr's Nets. The Broncos are sleepwalking to a 13-3 lead over the Chargers' backups, and that's somehow looking like the Mile High high point of the day so far. Woof. -- Keeler
Missed sack (4:26 p.m.): How the heck did Nik Bonitto miss that sack? He had Trey Lance dead to rights and couldn't bring him down. — Nguyen
Overthrows (4:21 p.m.): Not great passes by Bo Nix on those last two plays. Wil Lutz nails the 26-yard field goal to make it 13-3 Broncos with 10:07 to go in the third quarter. — Nguyen
Bo Nix is way off right now. Throw to Evan Engram on that 37-yarder was way behind. Sailed one over Troy Franklin, just airmailed a screen to RJ Harvey.
Broncos have to settle for -- another -- FG.
13-3. — Evans
The Broncos' offense is running like a used Yugo today. But Bronx lead Chargers, 13-3, with 10:07 left in the third quarter. -- Saunders
Huge gain (4:19 p.m.): Nix finds a wide-open Evan Engram for a 37-yard gain. — Nguyen
Offense finally percolating. Nix with good run, and he connects with Evan Engram on a 37-yard gain. Nix had 38 yards passing before that play. -- Renck
Running game (4:17 p.m.): A 7-yard scramble by Bo Nix on the first play of the drive. Jaleel McLaughlin follows it up with an 8-yard run. They should give him the ball more. — Nguyen
Three-and-out (4:16 p.m.): Denver's defense provides heavy pressure on that drive. Denver 's getting the ball back at its own 40. — Nguyen
Three-and-out (4:09 p.m.): Three plays, 6 yards. Jeremy Crawshaw punts. Not a good start for Denver. — Nguyen
Injury update (4:07 p.m.): Cheers from the crowd as Garett Bolles re-enters the game. — Nguyen
Halftime thoughts — Broncos 10, Chargers 3
Parker Gabriel, beat reporter: The injuries to Garett Bolles and P.J. Locke might be the most impactful storyline going so far for Denver. The lackluster play shouldn't — shouldn't —really matter against Trey Lance in the second half.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: If you're a Broncos fan, those last 15 minutes were Dante's new sixth circle of Hell, nestled between Wrath and Heresy. If this were a high school game, both head coaches might agree at halftime to pull their guys, get on their respective buses, and go home. Alas, Tony Romo is in the house, so we have to play on. At least we've got the Nuggets! Right? Right? Oh. Never mind.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: This has been exactly what Broncos did not need, despite the lead. Offense lacks creativity and balance. Running backs went silent after first quarter. 12 carries for 45 yards is just OK. Nix has been their best runner. And the fact that Trey Lance has more passing yards (80-38) than Nix doesn't inspire confidence. Throw in injuries to Bolles and Locke, and well not good.
Patrick Saunders, reporter: You've got to wonder if the Broncos are serving a vanilla offense on purpose today. 118 yards in the first half.
Second-quarter updates
Field goal, Chargers (3:50 p.m.): Cameron Dicker nails a 30-yard field goal to cap a 12-play, 51-yard drive for Los Angeles. Broncos 10, Chargers 3 with three seconds left in the half. — Nguyen
Nearly picked (3:46 p.m.): Riley Moss read that pass all the way. Just couldn't snag it. It would've been another pick-six. — Nguyen
Overturned (3:39 p.m.): No first down for the Chargers. The challenge showed that Denver stopped them a yard short. Fourth down. — Nguyen
Quiet (3:37 p.m.): Both Chargers and Broncos offenses are taking a siesta. Nice afternoon for it. Still 64 degrees. -- Saunders
Injury update (3:34 p.m.): Bolles out of the tent and headed to the locker room. Serious question: At one point do you consider pulling your starters, if you're Payton? 14-point lead?
Locke (leg) questionable. Bolles (ankle) questionable. Mercy. -- Keeler
Rough day so far (3:31 p.m.): RJ Harvey hasn't gotten much going early. Nine carries for just 22 yards. — Nguyen
Bo Nix's fancy feet (3:29 p.m.): Nix goes for 11 yards on the scramble. Would've been much more if he stayed in bounds. — Nguyen
Bolles injury (3:26 p.m.): Garett Bolles is down. Garett Bolles is NEVER down. Geez.
Bolles needs help to leave the field, but got handshakes and salutes from LAC defenders as he's coming off. This game, man. This. game. -- Keeler
Garett Bolles injured on run play. He is pain. Appears to be pointing toward left leg. This is last thing Broncos need going into the playoffs. Frank Crum in at left tackle. Bolles is walking off slowly with help of medical staff. -- Renck
Locke injury (3:21 p.m.): P.J. Locke is currently in the medical tent. Devon Key finished that drive at safety next to Talanoa Hufanga. — Gabriel
Sacked (3:20 p.m.): Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen take down Trey Lance for the Broncos' first sack of the day. — Nguyen
Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto split a sack. Before that play, PJ Locke was injured. Appeared to be limping as went to blue tent. -- Renck
Rough drive (3:13 p.m.): RJ Harvey's having a rough drive. Two carries that went nowhere and now a drop that would've gotten some yards. — Nguyen
Best part of the Broncos' offense thus far has been Bo Nix running on broken plays. -- Saunders
Back in (3:12 p.m.): Forsyth is back in game now after the first down. -- Renck
Injury update (3:11 p.m.): Alex Forsyth went through some drills and appears to have had right ankle re-taped. He should return in this game. Perhaps on the next series. -- Renck
No good (3:09 p.m.): Trey Lance tried to sneak up the gut on third-and-1 and was stopped by Malcolm Roach. Colorado's own J.K. Scott is coming out for the punt. — Nguyen
First-quarter thoughts — Broncos 10, Chargers 0
Parker Gabriel, beat reporter: The key is winning this game. Much of what's happening in this game, though — stalling out in the red zone, testing the depth on the interior OL — is not what you want to be doing once the playoffs do actually begin.
Luca Evans, Broncos writer: This one isn't in doubt. But the most important development of the day: Broncos center Alex Forsyth is in the blue tent with an ankle injury and questionable to return. Sam Mustipher, signed last week for center depth, is in. Bad sight for Broncos with Luke Wattenberg already on IR.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Trey Lance's general aim means the Broncos probably aren't in danger. But being forced to swap Sam Mustipher in for Alex Forsyth at center mid-game could be less than ideal. Like Chargers DL Teair Tart's motor but the dude got away with one with that Nix nudge on the sideline.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Trey Lance is not good. So the Chargers don't represent a threat in thie game. But the first objective today, beyond winning, was getting takeaways. They produced a pick six. Also, need Nix to use his legs. And he's done that. So comfortable first that will build confidence.
First-quarter updates
Injury (3:02 p.m.): Not great for Denver. Alex Forsyth, who's replacing starting center Luke Wattenberg in the lineup, was grabbing his ankle after that last play. — Nguyen
Chargers offense (2:58 p.m.): Chargers are averaging 2.3 yards per play in the first quarter -- a combination of the Broncos' defense and Trey Lance's futility. — Saunders
Short game? (2:56 p.m.): It might be curtains on the Trey Lance Showcase already. — Evans
High decibel (2:55 p.m.): Sean Payton wanted LOUD at Empower Field. He got it. Imagine what it will be like in the playoffs. -- Saunders
Familiar face (2:54 p.m.): For weeks, the idea of J.K. Dobbins has floated around Empower Field, whispers around his return intensifying with each passing week despite no actual sign of the man himself.
On Sunday, though, Dobbins was in sweats and in the flesh on a sunny day in Denver, adding to growing optimism that the Broncos might indeed get their No. 1 RB back depending on how long the Broncos’ playoff run can last. Read more. — Evans
Touchdown, Broncos (2:48 p.m.): Ja'Quan McMillian intercepts Trey Lance after the ball was deflected off of KeAndre Lambert-Smith's hands for a 45-yard pick-six. Broncos 10, Chargers 0 with 3:39 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen
You want takeaways? I got your takeaways? #Broncos Ja'Quan McMillian gets pick six. So Broncos now have 13 takeways, tied for fewest in franchise history. And that won't be last one today. And it is the first defensive score this season. -- Renck
Field goal, Broncos (2:42 p.m.): The Chargers stopped Denver on third-and-goal. Wil Lutz nails the 24-yard field goal. Fifteen plays for 81 yards on a drive that took 8:52. Broncos 3, Chargers 0 with 5:06 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen
Annnnnnd .... it took 14 plays for Sean to cheat on his "pass-lite" diet. Ah, well. 3-0, Broncos. -- Keeler
Tyler Badie is to screen passes for Broncos what Andre Iguodala was to 3-pointers for Nuggets. -- Renck
Probably (right?) won't matter today, but those are the kind of drives that you absolutely have to find a way to finish in the end zone when the playoffs begin. — Gabriel
Tyler Badie has been excellent in third-down pass-pro this season, but has rarely been a difference-making in passing game in making guys miss. Lost 3 on third-down checkdown there (play wasn't going anywhere anyway). — Evans
Crazy math: 15 plays, 81 yards, 8:52 off the clock, equals three points for Broncos. — Saunders
Splits (2:39 p.m.): Ten runs and three passes so far. Is Sean Payton finally keeping some New Year's resolution? -- Keeler
Make that 10 carries for 73 yards. Denver entered Week 18 averaging about 119 a game this year. — Nguyen
More running! (2:37 p.m.): RJ Harvey with an 11-yard gain. That's 62 yards on the ground for Denver on this drive. — Nguyen
Heavy on the runs (2:35 p.m.): Nix goes for 22 and then McLaughlin gets a 7-yard gain. — Nguyen
Have said this until I am hoarse. Want the run game to improve: Let Bo Go. He has 28 yards rushing on two carries, including a 22-yarder. Goal should be for him to be around 50 a game moving forward. — Renck
Bryant returns (2:33 p.m.): Bo Nix targets Pat Bryant for the first passing play of the day for the Broncos. It goes incomplete. Nix goes to him again on the subsequent play for the first down. Good see Bryant healthy after that brutal hit. — Nguyen
Run, Denver, run (2:33 p.m.): Four plays, four runs for Denver to open its drive. — Nguyen
Running game (2:30 p.m.): Jaleel McLaughlin gets the start at RB. Goes for 6 yards on his first carry. Interesting. -- Renck
Classic (2:29 p.m.): As uniform games go, hard to get better than this. Chargers have one of the best uniforms in football. And Broncos' orange is iconic. Will say Quebec Nordiques v. Hartford Whalers last night was equally cool. -- Renck
Opponents (2:28 p.m.): Two fresh Broncos opponents for 2026 after the early action:
- at Carolina (NFC South champ)
- vs. Jacksonville (AFC South champ)
They'll also visit the winner of tonight's Pittsburgh/Baltimore division title game. — Gabriel
Coin toss (2:25 p.m.): Broncos win the toss and elect to kick. — Nguyen
Pre-game updates
Inactives (1:04 p.m.): Broncos DL John Franklin-Myers is indeed inactive.
The rest of Denver's list:
- ILB Dre Greenlaw (hamstring)
- OL Geron Christian
- TE Marcedes Lewis
- OLB Que Robinson
- CB Reese Taylor
Marcedes Lewis being inactive means he'll finish the regular season without a catch. He just needed one to join Jerry Rice as the only players with a catch in 20 or more seasons. — Gabriel
Good morning from Empower Field (11:30 a.m.): Denver might officially be the San Diego of the AFC West. It's 60 and sunny ... again. Maybe later this month we'll get a bad weather playoff game. This afternoon, of course, will dictate when that playoff game arrives. With a win, Denver will play two weeks from now. Lose and they'll be right back here Saturday, Sunday or Monday. — Gabriel
Scouting report (9:16 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Chargers in Luca Evans' scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, Broncos writer: Broncos 38, Chargers 0
If it was good enough for Week 18 last year, itap good enough for Week 18 this year. The Broncos need a win to wrap up the No. 1 seed. The Chargers are sitting likely several key players. A couple of times this year, Sean Payton’s played just to ensure a win. This week, the bet here is he tries to dial up a feel-good game for Bo Nix and the Broncos offense heading into a bye week. What does it matter once Denver’s postseason play actually starts? Probably not much.
Luca Evans, Broncos writer: Broncos 21, Chargers 13
This will be another one-score game, because of course it will. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is too good to let Sean Payton and Bo Nix just tee off on Sunday, and here’s betting Los Angeles takes a similar approach to Kansas City and tries to keep the lid on the Broncos’ passing game. The Chargers just have little offensive juice without Herbert, though, and this one should really never be in doubt.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 34, Chargers 12
Sean Payton knows his team needs momentum going into the playoffs as it clinches the AFC’s top seed. He will not be a turtle on offense. More like a snap dragon. Remember what the Broncos did to the JV Chiefs in the season finale a year ago? This should be a repeat, including two takeaways by the suddenly-maligned defense.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 23, Chargers 10
The Chargers’ offensive line is a mess, and Vance Joseph’s defense won’t miss. Los Angeles gave up five sacks to the Texans, four to the Chiefs and seven to the Eagles — thatap 16 takedowns over the last four games. The Bolts come into the weekend 28th in the league in sack percentage allowed, per SumerSports.com. The road to Super Bowl LX goes through Empower Field.
Broncos-Chargers NFL Week 18: Must-reads
Renck: Doubts remain about Broncos offense. Time for Sean Payton’s vindication.
On a forgettable Thursday night, the Broncos became Raiders of the Lost Art. They won, beating Las Vegas, despite finishing with more penalties (11) than first downs (10). There is winning ugly, and there is delivering a victory while looking like Freddy Krueger.
In the six games since, the Broncos have averaged 24.5 points per game. As the excitement bubbles about the postseason, it is important to remember how vulnerable the Broncos are. They have trailed in 12 of their wins. Their negative turnover margin cannot be ignored.
But there is a takeaway as important as the takeaways: it is time for Sean Payton to shine. Read Troy Renck's column.
Broncos analysis: Sean Payton’s takeaway quest and an existential defensive question
A defense as disruptive as the Broncos figured to be and one that takes the ball away, too? That set up a scary proposition. Except then a strange thing happened. The turnovers dried up. The group has smacked around quarterbacks, tackled well and dominated most key areas but hasn’t taken the ball away like an elite defense.
Now the playoffs are just about here and head coach Sean Payton is doing his version of sounding an alarm bell. Read Parker Gabriel's story.
apB Jahdae Barron says itap ‘human nature’ to want more reps, but rookie’s role is growing
That has been the story of Barron’s inaugural season in Denver: a rookie who’s gradually learned to put himself in better positions in Joseph’s defense but has only sparingly found himself in the position to do so.
Six months ago, in a locker room in Santa Clara, Calif., after the Broncos’ first preseason game of the season, Barron told The Post that “everything’s gonna click.” Now, as the Broncos gear up for a postseason run that could take them right back to Santa Clara for the Super Bowl, Barron’s role has mostly stayed static. Read Luca Evans' story.
